Chapter 13 #2
“She’s helped us so far. We need her, Cassia.” Brexin kept his tone calm.
“Fine, but if you do anything to hurt him, I’ll kill you myself.”
“Where is the other sedative, Cassia? We have to be prepared in case he becomes aggressive.”
I wanted to lash out at Brexin but he was right. “In my bag. Erik. Open your eyes. Come on. I need you to listen to me and do as I say.”
There was no additional movement for a full minute. I placed my hand on his heart, taking gulping breaths. His heart was almost beating normally. “Erik. Come on. Open your eyes.”
A snarl curled on Erik’s lips but very slowly, he responded.
“I need a light. Now!” I gasped for air, unable to think clearly. He had to be all right. He had to come back to me.
“Breathe, Cassia.” Brexin slapped a light into my hand.
I darted the harsh glow into his eyes. When they refracted, attempting to focus, I was elated. I repeated the action, biting back a moan.
Erik growled, shifting forcefully.
“Ah, shit. Get the sedative ready!” Brexin snapped, trying to pull me away from Erik.
“No! Wait. Just fucking wait.” My voice faltered, choking back another round of tears. “Erik. Do you know who I am?” I held the light aloft, studying his facial expressions.
He snarled and opened his eyes all the way, staring straight into mine. “Cassia.”
“Jesus,” Rowena breathed. “Maybe this worked.”
“And maybe it didn’t.” I checked his pulse myself, finally taking a deep breath. “Do you know where you are?”
Erik’s lips moved several times before he spoke. “By the rumble I’d say you found the vehicle stored away.” His voice was almost inaudible.
I almost lost it, clinging to him, rubbing my fingers up and down his arm. “You’re alive. Oh, God.”
“Fuck, my brother. I thought we’d lost you.” Brexin gripped Erik’s shoulder. “You’re not looking too bad for a predator. You almost killed me.”
Erik groaned and attempted to sit up. “You found a cure.”
“Not exactly but close. Maybe.” I wrapped my arm around his neck, easing him into a sitting position.
“Contact Steen. Have him prepare the others with a saline drip. That will make inducing the drug easier and much faster. They are all dehydrated. This is only the first step, but we should be able to pull back the disease until we can finish what we started.” I had no idea if we could trust Rowena, but I realized I couldn’t handle the others by myself.
But she knew more than she was willing to tell.
Brexin grinned, yanking his arm toward his face. “I’ll be honored.”
I glanced at Brexin as if seeing him for the first time.
He was my rock, my gentle giant and he’d do anything for me.
I mouthed ‘thank you’ and leaned over, kissing his cheek.
The softness of his skin and the way he brushed his fingers across my cheek sent tingles dancing through every cell and muscle.
“My pleasure, my beautiful mate,” Brexin whispered in my ear.
There were so many things that went through my mind as I held Erik’s hand.
Whatever had happened to the both of us during our separate incarcerations at the hands of a madman had changed our world.
Our lives. There was something to be said for animal attraction and I knew that our connection had so much of that, but I also was fully aware that there was more.
Perhaps it no longer mattered. Dr. Steve Forrester had accomplished his goal.
He’d made a brand new creature, one that could allow for the continuation of two amazing species.
Whatever happened now would be of our own choosing.
As long as they were alive.
The trip was almost over, but I filled Erik in on what had occurred and whether he was truly listening or allowing me to vent, I wasn’t certain.
What I did know was that I’d fallen in love with him, as well as Brexin and my hope was that along with David, we would encompass a new family, building a life together.
We were met by several soldiers as well as several members of the city, all eager to know the outcome.
As I climbed out of the back, I couldn’t help but study the sky.
The storm had passed, the stars twinkling and I could swear that I was able to see the bright shining orb of Earth from where I stood.
“Star light, star bright. I wish upon a star tonight.”
“I wish I may, I wish I might, wish upon a star tonight.” Hearing Erik’s voice thrilled me but there was also such sadness creeping into my soul.
“And what did you wish for?” I asked, fighting my emotions.
“I have everything I need,” he breathed, taking careful steps toward me. “Everything is going to be all right.”
“You’re certain of that?”
Erik wavered, tipping his head toward the sky.
His breathing remained irregular, his chest heaving.
Every part of him was shaking, but it was obvious he refused to succumb.
When he spoke, his words were whispered, meant only for me.
“I hunger, Cassia. You have no idea. The blood in my veins is damaged and I will never be the same again, but we will forge a path here.”
Hearing his anguished pain shattered me.
“You are…” There was no way to finish my statement.
I knew he had a difficult road ahead of him and only if Rowena and I were able to find a definable cure.
There were no guarantees, no real way of knowing if we were right about our assumptions with the exception of time.
And my gut.
“This isn’t over, Erik, but you have to rest. We will fight and do everything that’s necessary.” I only hoped my practiced confidence would soothe him. His anger remained, wrapping around his intellect. His past had collided with his future, the DNA still transforming the man into a new breed.
“I agree. We will get through this,” Brexin added as he walked closer. “Somehow. If the humans are on their way, we don’t have much time. I’ll work with the soldiers on reinforcing the perimeter, sending out scouts so we know what we’re dealing with.”
Steen nodded. “A good plan. The other cities are in lockdown mode and have seen or heard nothing, but my instinct tells me the time is near.”
“And what about David?” I turned my attention toward Steen.
“His situation is dire,” he answered. “You could be too late. I’m so sorry, Cassia. I know you care about him.”
“We are not giving up without a fight.” I was sick to my stomach, my heart thudding hard. This was surreal, so horrible. I was angry and incensed, terrified that David would succumb to the disease. I had to stop this. He had to be saved.
“Take me to the hybrids.” Rowena flanked my side, holding one of the boxes filled with necessities. “We need to inject them as soon as possible. Whatever happens, the serum we developed has proven to buy us time.”
I stepped in front of her, shaking my finger. “If you betray us, you will not survive the night.”
“I won’t betray you, Cassia. That I can promise,” she answered.
“I will do everything in my power to make certain that we cure the hybrids. I loved Steve once and was stupid enough to believe his bullshit. That was my choice and my weakness, but no longer. I know we can cure this disease, but you’re going to have to trust me. There is no one else who can help you.”
The conviction in her voice was certainly admirable and I could see truth in her eyes. Perhaps my despair over possibly losing Erik had stripped her of her loyalty to a man with a God complex. Either way, she was right. “Then let’s go.”
“Klar will take you to them. The saline was injected as you requested, and you are free to use our facilities and confer with our doctors. They have some additional information regarding the disease that may be helpful.” Steen gripped my elbow, pulling me aside. “Do you really believe this will work?”
“I honestly have no idea, but we must do something. I have a terrible feeling that our worst fears are coming true.” I glanced back at the sky, able to sense that we were certainly not alone on this planet.
“We will be ready, Cassia. This is our world now.”
“Are you willing to share if that’s even possible?”
Steen chuckled, sweeping his arms out toward the city.
“We require a simple life. Humans are welcome to share in a portion of it. We must learn to live together or perish.” His words were said loudly enough for those members of the clan who remained to hear his command.
I was sick inside, fearful that whoever Dr. Forrester sent to Earth Two was coming for one purpose in mind.
Waging a war.
I crowded closer to Erik, resting my head on his chest. The same irregular thumping. I was utterly terrified. “Erik, you need to rest.”
He growled, low and husky. “I need to hunt the survivors. They will come here. They are not finished with their mission.”
“They could. We don’t know that for certain.”
His gaze was full of darkness. “I know.”
“Stop. Allow the Galerian soldiers to perform their job. Please.”
Exhaling, he held me tightly against him, finally kissing the top of my head.
“I will rest. For now. But I want you to remember something. No matter what you hear about me, I love you more than I can say. I would never hurt intentionally or try and drive a wedge between what we all share together. I vow to be your lover, your master, and your protector.”
As he walked away, I stood shaking. The words were beautiful and said from the heart. The vision I’d experienced would haunt me as the ones he’d had would haunt him. There were answers he needed in order to find peace, if that was even possible. He was terrified of what he would find.
I love you, Erik. You are my bright shining star.