Unbelievable. Janie shook her head. Kalin had played her when they’d talked, warning her that the virus would kill her baby. In fact, he’d pretty much taunted Zane to save her. Damn liar. “We’ll find a cure,” she said, lifting her chin.
Kalin’s smile was almost gentle. “No, you won’t. I promise.”
She edged in front of the men she loved. “Why not?”
“Virus-27 is a simple little creature like the common cold in humans.” Triumph lifted Kalin’s chin, even while he kept her gaze. “The natural antibodies exist on the X chromosome of any species. For you female mates, the illness would’ve lasted about a hundred years, which for immortals, is like a couple of weeks for humans. Simple. Common. Cold.” He brushed invisible lint off his black jumpsuit. “And just as incurable.”
So they had just needed to wait out the illness. Fury rushed through Janie, and she moved toward the bars.
Zane stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Stay back,” he said.
Janie trembled she was so angry. “We’ll find a cure.”
“No.” Kalin stepped away from the bars. “Witches will eventually be fine because even male witches have one X chromosome. You know who doesn’t?”
“Vampires,” Janie whispered.
Kalin jerked his head in a short nod. “Yes.”
She frowned. “Wait a minute. Neither do Kurjans.”
Kalin smiled. “True. But Kurjans aren’t stupid enough to force the virus into our own bodies. Well, except for the few we experimented on before turning the virus loose.”
“Let’s go,” Dage growled, turning for the door.
Janie followed with Zane on her heels. At the door, she turned for one last chance. “You can stop this, Kalin. Please.”
He studied her, his features set in serious lines. “Even if I wanted to, Janet, nobody can stop this. Say your good-byes now.”
Chapter 28
Month 1: Jase
Janie finished cataloging the most recent slides in the empty lab and stood to stretch her back. Morning sickness had set in with a vengeance, and she moved carefully. A rustle echoed by the door, and she turned as her uncle strode in.
Jase Kayrs moved with the grace of a cougar, although more slowly than usual. His copper eyes had clouded, and his skin paled so the ever present scar lining the side of his face appeared deeper. Darker. His short hair was finally growing out, making him look every bit as dangerous as she knew him to be. “You fix this virus yet?” he asked.
“I’m working on it.” She leaned back against the counter and forced a smile. “How are you feeling?”
“That’s my line.” He crossed broad arms. “Do I need to kill the demon?”
Janie brushed her hands down her jeans. “Stop calling him a demon.”
“So . . . no?” Jase gave her the look he’d used in her childhood when she’d borrowed his favorite socks.
“No beating the tar out of Zane. You like him, right?” Her lungs trapped her breath.
Jase scratched his whiskered chin. “He’s a good fighter.”
Janie put both hands on her hips.
Jase sighed. “Fine. Yes, I like him. He reminds me of a cross between Dage and Talen, especially since he has to step up and rule the damn demons and doesn’t want to.” Jase absently rubbed the scar along his ear. “Although I think the mating happened way too quickly. You should’ve been given time to think the whole matter through.”
Her lips instantly tipped into a smile. “Like most vampire matings.” Jase chuckled. “I know. Good point. So far we’ve talked him into waiting to take on Suri until after he’s cured of the virus, but at some point, Zane will have to go.”
“I know,” Janie whispered. “But he needs to be at full strength to even think about fighting Suri.”
“You love him.”
