“Insubordination will not be tolerated.” The old council member’s jowls bobbled with anger.
Jill slammed her hand down hard on the podium. “I am fighting for my life as well as the lives of others and you want to talk about insubordination? I speak the truth. What you’re doing is a crime. I am a VC Warrior and I swore an oath to protect...protect you...all of you in this room. You are people of power, who can easily do what’s right.” Jill looked down at her hand which was cramping and clawing, the pain excruciating. “But you refuse to do so because of your fear, and because of your fear, innocent people are suffering.”
“Yes, we along with many other councils proposed this law, but you have to understand Mrs. Buchanan the crime rate with your kind is...”
Jill interrupted the old man who sat in judgment of her. “So you decide to see us die when you know the cure.” She shook her head as if trying to understand their reasoning. “Not to mention jailing a VC Warrior who upholds the law.”
“It is a travesty, but...”
“No!” Jill pointed right at him as she interrupted once again. “For you to have any power over people’s lives is a travesty.”
Knowing that talking to these people was a waste of time, Jill turned toward the media directly behind her. “I was human, I am still half human. I have the right to live as does hundreds, maybe thousands more who are dying like me. Desperation is going to set in and this law is going to be broken...has been broken, but not by evil. This law is going to be broken by people who are just trying to save their loved ones. Don’t let this happen. Fight because it can be yourself or a loved one you’re fighting to save next.”
A loud roaring echoed in her ears. Her sight dimmed. Dammit she wasn’t finished, but knew she couldn’t go on. She wanted Slade.
“Mrs. Buchanan, are you okay?” The woman reporter who was closet to her asked.
“No, I’m not,” Jill replied, a tear slipping down her cheek.
“Jill?” Adam, Hunter and Steve surrounded her.
“Get me out of here.” She whispered, fear filling her soul. “I want Slade.”
Hunter and Adam grabbed her. People moved quickly out of the way as they passed, every news camera on her. Once outside on the steps, they were surrounded by more media as well as half-breeds and vampires who must have been watching the news and came in support.
“Let us through.” Steve fought to clear a path.
Jill collapsed on the steps. Adam was too weak to do anything. Hunter tried to carry Jill and fight his way through the crowd with Steve. Jill watched it all happen through a dimmed haze of death and knew it was too late for her and she was terrified. She wasn’t ready to die.
Hunter laid her down, staring at her with fear and fury, people pushing at him, but he shielded her body with his. One hard push had him falling on top of her. With a roar, he threw his head back. His body rippled as he changed on the steps of City Hall and stood over Jill snapping at anyone who came near. She could hear Steve screaming to someone and felt Adam’s hand on her hair.
“I’m so sorry, Jill.” Adam’s voice shook with tears.
She tried to move her mouth to talk, but nothing would come out. Her heart slowed, her body dimming like a burned-out candle. Her last thought as her eyes closed was of Slade, and in the distance, she heard the cry of a wolf.
******
Slade stood in front of the television in Sloan’s office, his eyes glued to Jill who stood fighting for not only herself, but others. He watched as she swayed and held onto the podium, alarms going off in his brain.
“How far is City Hall from here?” Slade frowned when he watched Jill squint her eyes. “How fucking far?”
“About ten minutes with traffic.” Sid took his eyes off the screen for a split second.
“Get me out of here.” Jill’s voice filled the room as they all watched her sway again. “I want Slade.”
Slade was the first out the door with everyone following. Within seconds, motorcycles flew out of the parking lot. Sid led the way zooming in and out of traffic. Brake lights for as far as you could see stretched out in front of them. Jared passed them waving his arm. Slade revved his bike and followed up an embankment and out of danger from the cars.
He had to get to her in time. He saw the signs of her body shutting down. She seemed okay when he left this morning, but he knew how fast organs could fail. “Fuck!” Urgency made Slade crazy with fear. “Come on!”
Sid pointed and Slade saw tons of people, cops and ambulances. Slade rode his bike up on the sidewalk, hitting the steps of City Hall before laying the bike down safely away from citizens. His feet didn’t miss a beat as he ran knocking people out of the way and then there she was with Steve and Adam trying to guard her. Hunter in wolf form was poised over her growling at anyone who dared to come near.