Chapter 44 #2
“No.” Sloan didn’t even have to think about the offer. “I won’t let you turn more people into whatever it is I am. They don’t deserve that.”
“They would be volunteers.” Theo tried giving Sloan a winning smile. “We would take every precaution. There would be safety measures in pla?—”
“No,” Sloan said again.
“The reason why you’re refusing is admirable.
” Theo cleared his throat. “But there are already reports coming in from New Hope, whispers that the queen is continuing to grow her vampire soldier ranks. More than that, we have intel hinting at more experiments in the process. We need to even the playing field if we’re going to survive. ”
“I’ll do it.” Aareth took a step forward. “I’ll be your guinea pig, if it means getting these people settled faster and taking down the queen and her sister.”
“What’re you doing?” Sloan looked past Kimberly to Aareth. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“What? Here?” Aareth looked around the room to the many people staring at them. “Are you sure you want to do this now?”
“Yeah, positive.” Sloan fought back the anger that rose in her chest. “Theo, can we have a day to think on your offer? It seems we’re all not on the same page with this.”
“Of course.” Theo almost seemed relieved to maneuver out of the awkward situation. “We can meet again tomorrow. I understand this is a delicate situation that should be handled with care.”
“It’s not that big of a deal.” Aareth rolled bloodshot eyes at Sloan. “It’s simple. Azra is the best chance we have at taking down New Hope. They’re outmanned and outgunned. Maybe if they can create some vampires and werewolves of their own, they’ll have a chance.”
“ ‘Werewolves’?” Sloan folded her arms over her chest. “That’s cute. When did you start calling yourself that?”
“It’s a term Edison came up with the other day. We had to start calling it something. Kimberly’s just been referring to me as ‘the horrid beast creature.’”
Sloan took a long breath. Talking Aareth out of anything once he had his mind set on something was never easy.
The two stood in the small apartment designated to Sloan and Kimberly once they had entered Azra.
It was a one bedroom with barely any furniture, but it would be temporary for Sloan.
Right now, Kimberly was out with Edison, working on a special project they weren’t willing to share with the others just yet.
“We don’t know these people in Azra,” Sloan began, trying to reason with Aareth. “Sure, they say all they want to do is defend themselves from the queen, but who really knows if that’s the truth? Just as easily they can start their own experiments and try to rule the Outland themselves.”
“When are you going to start trusting people?” Aareth shook his head. “Theo’s willing to help.”
“Oh, that’s rich, coming from someone like you.” Sloan placed closed hands by her side. “When I met you, you didn’t trust anyone.”
“Yeah, and I was right. I didn’t trust the queen, and look where we’re at now.”
Sloan was beginning to have flashbacks to a very similar conversation that had taken place between the two in Term. Their argument had quickly turned to blows thanks to their own new rage factors that came with being creatures of the paranormal.
“Listen.” Sloan slowed her talking to give herself a chance to calm down. “I don’t want to argue with you. I’m just concerned what will happen if?—”
“She’s leaving me.”
Sloan stopped mid-sentence, realizing exactly what Aareth meant. In a second, she understood why his eyes were bloodshot again. His demeanor, the hunched shoulders, the sadness—it was all there.
“My undead wife—no, the woman who used to be my wife, the one who doesn’t even want to be called by her real name.
This Ashley says she needs time to think.
” Aareth had said each word as if it caused him physical pain to push past his lips.
“I thought losing her was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. I never thought I’d have to experience this pain all over again. ”
“I’m so sorry, Aareth.” If it was in Sloan’s nature to give Aareth a hug to comfort him, she would. But Sloan wasn’t that motherly type. “I can talk to her, if you want. I can try to get her to stay, to give it a chance.”
“No.” Aareth’s gaze fell to the floor. “Maybe it’s better this way.
She was resurrected without a heart and no memory of her past. It’s not her fault.
At first, I thought we could fall in love all over again, but it’s clear she needs time to figure out who and what she is.
Isn’t there a saying? Something like: if you love someone, you’ll let them go? ”
Sloan could see the tears pool in her friend’s eyes despite his downward gaze. Without thinking, she went to him and placed a firm hand on his left shoulder. “I can’t say I know exactly what you’re going through, but I’m here for you. We’re all here for you.”
“I know. Maybe Bren—Ashley leaving is part of why I’m so eager to join Azra.” Aareth didn’t return her gaze; he kept his head down. “I’m afraid if I’m left to my own devices, I’ll find my way back to the bottom of the bottle. I know it’s not a solution, but it helped to dull the pain.”
Sloan removed her hand. Outside came the distant sounds of children playing in the complex. Their shouts and running feet reminded Sloan once more of the responsibility she bore to these people. They had abandoned their home in Term in a large part due to the events of her own arrival.
“All right.” Sloan cleared her throat, not believing what she was about to say.
“We’ll give Azra access to our DNA, but I want Edison there every step of the way to make sure all they’re doing is trying to figure out what makes us tick.
And I want to talk to the volunteers in Azra who are willing to take on this burden. ”
Aareth just nodded. It was clear he was done with the conversation. His thoughts were once more on his wife.
In the silence, the thirst came for Sloan again.
It was more than her throat being dry, or her empty stomach rolling in protest; it was a mental game.
Consciously and subconsciously, she was under attack from her own body.
It was telling her she needed blood again, that the thirst was inevitable and she should just give in and get it over with.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Pounding on the door shook Sloan from thoughts of her thirst.
Aareth’s eyes flashed yellow. He held up a hand for Sloan to wait while he positioned himself on the opposite side of the door. With one quick motion, Aareth grabbed the handle and tore the door not just open, but off its hinges.
“Wow, take it easy, Hercules.” Kade’s eyebrows shot up as he took in Aareth’s hulking form holding the entire door by its handle. “I’m not the enemy.”
“What’s wrong?” Sloan asked.
Kade grinned a toothy smile. “Trouble.”