Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Do it,” Vero ordered, his mind already shifting to the larger implications as he held out his arm for the doctor to draw blood. “Let’s keep this between us for now, all right?”
Fizzlewick pulled blood and then retracted the syringe, turning toward his equipment. “Of course. Also, I need somebody who’s still upright to start checking on Kurjans out in the cabins. I’m concerned about them.”
“I’m the only one who should be driving right now.” Vero rolled down his sleeve and walked out of the lab, letting the frigid air cool his temper as he pulled out his phone. His thumb hesitated over the screen for a split second before dialing a number he never thought he’d use. The line connected on the first ring.
“Vero,” Hunter’s voice came through, immediately alert. “What’s wrong?”
Vero blew out a breath, Hunter’s real face flashing on the screen. He looked like his father, the king. Broad face, sharp angles, metallic blue eyes. “You were better looking as a Kurjan.”
Hunter chuckled. “You would say that. What’s going on? You wouldn’t call unless it was serious.”
Vero’s jaw clenched. “I might need the Realm’s help.”
Hunter sobered instantly, his predatory eyes narrowing. “What kind of help?”
“A virus issue. If I remember right, you and the queen know a thing or two about those.”
Hunter’s expression hardened. “Tell me what you need.”
Vero exhaled slowly. “We’ve been attacked from the inside, and that’s all I know. Paxton has to return to the territory tomorrow morning, no matter what, so I have to get this figured out. We have a contagion on our hands that has infected every Kurjan, and we’re just getting our lab up and running.” If Paxton asked the Realm for protection of the Kurjan territory, would the Kurjan nation reject him for good?
Hunter’s voice remained calm. “I’ll call in my mother. For now, you don’t look ill. Are you sure all the Kurjans are infected?”
“Yeah. About that…”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lyrica finished pouring water into the large coffeepot, glancing over her shoulder at the worried females behind her. They’d been drinking coffee all morning, so at least the coffee was safe. The women scattered around the room, chatting quietly, playing board games, or gathering near the pool table in small, tense groups. Though they moved as if calm, an undeniable tension thickened the air.
All of the unmated women and more than twenty Kurjan mates filled the lodge now. More arrived sporadically as the few functioning soldiers continued escorting females to safety. Those soldiers, however, looked worse with each passing hour.
Lyrica nodded at Genevieve, who handed out bottled water, before heading toward the office where Vero leaned against the doorframe, a grim expression on his face. His shoulders carried the weight of too much responsibility.
“What do you think?” she asked, her voice low.
Knives and guns strapped to his body made him look every inch a war-hardened soldier. “We’re in trouble,” he said, his tone even but heavy. “Guards are posted at every entrance, and soldiers are patrolling the territory, but they’re moving at half speed. Too many have collapsed.” He paused, glancing back toward the main room. “I’ve requested backup from the Realm.”
Her stomach churned. “Is that a good idea?”
“It’s all I’ve got.” His sharp blue eyes met hers. “I’ve ordered Realm forces to stick to the outer perimeter and stay out of the main territory. My gut says whoever did this doesn’t have the numbers to stage a full attack. This isn’t a rival nation moving against us.”
“Unless it’s the Realm itself,” she murmured, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
“I spoke to Paxton and believe the Realm hasn’t moved against us,” Vero said, his tone firm and leaving no room for doubt. “Hope is the heir to everything in the Realm—they wouldn’t attack their own.”
Lyrica’s brow furrowed as unease swirled in her chest. “But if it’s an organized group trying to hurt us?”
Vero’s jaw tightened. “Displaced Kurjans who don’t like Paxton taking the throne is the most likely answer. There are scattered factions of them across the world. If they’ve managed to organize, they’ll attack.”
“And if they have?” She forced herself to breathe evenly.
“I hope the Realm arrives quickly.”
The room around her seemed to blur as the weight of his words pressed against her chest. Losing the Kurjan nation felt unthinkable. “This…virus or whatever it is—” Her voice broke slightly, but she steadied it. “You’re immortal. You can’t die from something like this, can you?”
Power radiated from him. “Normally, no. But there has been a virus or two through the millennia that have harmed immortals. It’s possible somebody created another one.”
Lyrica’s mind struggled to process the implications. “This doesn’t feel real.”
Vero’s lips pressed into a tight line. “It’s hard to grasp. Fizzlewick is testing the Sunshine Cure right now. I think somebody contaminated it, and I’m fine since I have demon blood in me.” His voice lowered to a growl. “Fizzlewick doesn’t take the cure. So at least our doctor is upright.”