No one said a word. Three of the most feared Warriors stood in Slade’s office staring into space, at a total loss of what to do. Anything that threatened their own, they could deal with and had dealt with, but this was something different. It seemed as though all the odds were stacked against them.
“I won’t let them die,” Slade repeated. He hoped that if he said it enough, it would be the truth.
“Promise me one thing.” Duncan looked up from the floor. “Tell me when it’s time, because I will not let Pam die when changing her could save her life. She refused to let me change her now because of her fear for me, but—”
“I will let you know, brother,” Slade promised, placing his large hand on Duncan’s shoulder.
Duncan looked at Sloan. “If anything happens to me, I want your promise to take care of my family.”
“If I’m not rotting in the jail cell with you, you have my promise,” Sloan vowed.
“No, you need to stay neutral,” Duncan replied. “You’re the only thing that keeps us going. Without your leadership, everything we’ve achieved will be lost.”
Slade nodded in agreement. “He’s right.” Slade scrubbed Duncan’s arm, prepping him to take his blood for Pam. “We’re going to need someone in our corner on the outside who has the contacts you do. This is going to get worse before it gets better.”
Sloan cursed. “Has Adam showed any signs?”
Looking up from Duncan’s arm, Slade frowned. “Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time. It’s seems no manmade half breed is immune.”
******
Caroline sat in the middle of the floor in her new home eating pizza and drinking beer with three of the most handsome men she had ever laid eyes on. Wouldn’t the parents of her students be gossiping up a storm if they saw her now? The prim and proper Ms. Fitzpatrick gone wild.
“So are you two VC Warriors?” Caroline asked Blaze and Hunter who were finishing off the last box of pizza.
“Hell no.” Hunter snorted. “I’m a shifter, not vampire, and I guess the VC Warriors are too good for shifters.”
“A shifter?” Caroline finished off her second beer and decided it probably should be her last. She wasn’t a big drinker and she was starting to feel it. “You mean you can shift into a rabbit or something?”
Blaze choked on his pizza while Jax chuckled.
“Excuse me?” Hunter stared at her. “Did you say a...rabbit?”
Caroline smiled. “Well, yes, but I mean, can’t shifters shift into anything they want to shift into?” Taking in the look of horror on his face, she realized she’d offended him. “I mean, I think you’d make a cute rabbit.”
“Oh, shit.” Blaze tossed the rest of his uneaten pizza in the box. “That is the funniest damn thing I’ve ever heard.”
Hunter ignored him. “I would make a badass rabbit, but no.” He sat up straighter. “I belong to the Lee County Wolf Pack. I am a wolf shifter and my wolf is not very happy with you at the moment. A rabbit...are you kidding me? Who the fuck would want to shift into a rabbit?”
“Sorry.” Caroline tried to sound sincere, but the giggle ruined it. “And what about you?” she asked Blaze who was still laughing at Hunter.
“I’m like him.” He nodded toward Jax. “Vampire slash shifter.”
“So you’re a VC Warrior.” Caroline noticed a mood shift.
“No,” Blaze replied without any explanation.
Caroline glanced at Jax, who just cocked an eyebrow at her as if saying, you’re on your own. Her attention went back to Hunter. “Can you show me your wolf?”
“I love when women ask me that.” Hunter winked at her before wiggling his eyebrows.
“Hunter,” Jax warned with a shake of his head.
Rolling his eyes, Hunter looked at Caroline. “I would, but I don’t want to ruin these clothes and I didn’t bring any others with me. Unless you want to see me naked, then we can work something—” Jax threw an empty beer can at Hunter shutting him up.
Caroline’s face heated. “I’ll pass, but thanks for the warning.”
“Your loss.” Hunter winked at her again then acted like he was ready to bat away another beer can, but the only thing Jax threw Hunter’s way was a warning glare.
She looked at Blaze. “How about you? Can you shift into something, now? Fully clothed of course,” she added quickly.
Blaze seemed more relaxed with that question, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed into Hunter. Stunned, Caroline’s mouth gaped open.
“Hi. My name is Hunter,” Blaze said, mimicking Hunter’s voice with precision. “I like shifting into cute furry rabbits.”
“Oh, ha-ha.” Hunter rolled his eyes. “Real funny, asshole.”
Caroline laughed. “That’s amazing.” She watched as Blaze’s eyes started swirling as he turned to look toward Hunter, who was still griping about Blaze being an asshole. In awe, she looked on as Hunter’s boot started to smoke. A tiny flame sparked out from the tip and the real Hunter jumped up.
“Dammit, Blaze!” Hunter danced around trying to put out the flame. “These are my favorite boots.”
“Guess I don’t have to ask how you got your name.” She looked toward Blaze who was himself once again.