Chapter 82 Maddy #2
The cops opened fire, the gunshots sounding like distant firecrackers on the video.
Bloody wounds opened all along the bear’s chest, legs, and flank, but still he charged on, saliva flying from his mouth as he roared.
A final bullet slammed into his head, and he went limp.
His dead body collapsed in a heap on the pavement, feet from the dazed and pale officers.
I couldn’t bear to look at the screen anymore.
Tiago was the only person near me that I kind of knew.
I pressed my face into his shoulder, wanting to wipe out everything I’d seen.
Tiago was stiff as a board, and I heard the low growl in his throat; the entire room was filled with the sound of snarls and growls.
Everyone was angry. A few minutes ago, we’d been having a night of relaxation and friendship. Now that had been turned on its head.
The image of the dead shifter was removed from the screen and replaced by the reporter at a desk.
She looked a bit harried, but her voice was calm and concise as she spoke.
“These images you’ve seen took place in Washington State less than an hour ago.
The bear shifter, who has so far remained unnamed, showed signs of aggression before shifting into his bear form and attacking a group of humans dining at a nearby downtown restaurant.
This is the first reported incident of feral shifters attacking humans since the announcement last week by the administration and Monroe Group spokesperson Viola Monroe.
The government has released a statement encouraging all residents to be on high alert around shifters, as well as to encourage our shifter population to begin the process of turning themselves in before the deadline at the end of the month.
” The reporter smoothed her suit and addressed the camera again.
“As with all things newsworthy, trust KADC to bring you all the latest breaking news. When we come back: How safe is the water in your neighborhood pool? We’ll find out after these words from our sponsors. ”
Nico turned the TV off, and even from as far away as I was, I could see his hand shaking with rage.
He shook his head wearily and frowned like he was confused, then he turned to address the room.
“This isn’t right. Nothing on that screen feels right.
Why couldn’t he shift back?” Nico asked the crowd.
I didn’t know if he was actually looking for theories or if he was only asking the question out of frustration.
Next to him, Javi looked equally confused. “We don’t just shift spontaneously. And when we do shift, we can change right back. What the fuck was that?”
I pushed through the crowd, trying to get to Nico, almost suffocating from all the people in the room. I stopped when I came face to face with Abi. The look of dawning terror and surprise made me stop in my tracks to check on her. “Abi? What’s wrong? You don’t look well.”
“I overheard them talk about this,” she said, her voice high and panicky. The room went silent as people turned toward us to listen.
Ignoring them, I put my hands on Abi’s shoulders. “What are you talking about?”
Abi took a deep, steadying breath and spoke as Nico stepped up beside me.
“When they had me, I remember hearing some of the guards talking. They were eating and playing cards at a table. They were… I think, they were talking about some kind of poison that could stop shifters from being able to shift. I’d almost forgotten about it until right now. ”
The room went deathly quiet. The implications of what she’d said reverberated across the minds of everyone in attendance.
The thought that the royals could poison us and prevent us from shifting into our animals or prevent us from changing back to humans was a huge revelation.
Everyone looked fairly terrified of the prospect.
I understood how they felt—I’d only been able to shift for a couple of weeks, and I couldn’t imagine not being able to access that part of myself or being unable to turn back.
Abi put a hand to her forehead, looking pained as she tried to remember. “I’m sorry. I can’t remember much. They had me so drugged most of the time. I know they discussed that part though.”
Nico put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and leaned in to make eye contact. “Thank you, Abi. That tells us exactly what we need to know. I know how difficult it is for you to think back on the time you were locked up.”
Nico’s soothing voice and the power he exuded as alpha had a visibly calming effect on Abi. Her shoulders relaxed, and she gave him a small smile. “Damned alphas and their magic,” she murmured.
My lips twitched in a smile for a half second before Nico turned back to the crowd to speak.
“The royals have a poison they’re using against shifters to further their claims that we’re going feral.
None of these ‘feral’ shifters are feral; they are stuck in their animal forms. This game just got even dirtier. We need to act.”
The attendees all stared at Nico for a moment before roaring their agreement.
The walls of the house shook with roars, howls, and screams. It was deafening and filled me with pride.
Though I had to wonder, how many of these people actually thought we had a chance?
How many were blustering and forcing it?
Did any of them other than Nico think we had a shot?