“Comein!” Kai roared and Earl and Todd entered. They were dressed in full armyfatigues.
Earlnodded to all of us and then looked Alek in the eye. “I’ve spoken to thechapter presidents across the country. Most are in agreement that it would bewise to donate blood to the vampires willing to join our fight.”
Aleklooked shocked. “Thank you.”
Earlnodded. “We can choose to stop at any time. Our goal is to keep humanitythriving for thousands of years to come. Layla and anyone else associated withher will be wiped out. After that time, maybe we can all coexist.”
Kaigrabbed Earl’s shoulder. “Well said. I will get some mobile blood donor trucksup here. Thank you.”
Earlnodded. Todd had been quiet the entire time, he was staring at Kai with anexpression I couldn’t read.
“Isthere a problem?” I questioned Todd. I couldn’t have a loose cannon on ourinner circle.
Earllooked uncomfortable as Todd looked at me. “Is it true that werewolves don’tget sick?”
Isighed. He must be referring to the commotion with the newswoman. “Yes,” I toldhim truthfully.
Hefroze. “Is it true that a sick human can be changed into a werewolf and behealthy again?”
Shit.That question was a bit more calculated.
BeforeI could answer, Earl put a hand on Todd’s shoulder. “Todd’s brother is in awheelchair. His legs were affected when he got polio as a child.”
Toddnodded. “We were stationed with my dad who was serving in the military inJapan. If you could change him, he could walk again.” His face looked hopeful.
Kailet out a deep breath. “I’m really sorry to hear about your brother. I’m sorryto hear about any human suffering. Werewolves have an intricate politicalsystem. It’s what sets us apart from vampires. We don’t change humans forsport.”
Toddglared at Kai. “I’m not asking you to change him for sport. I’m asking you tochange his life. Give him a chance at walking! At a long and healthy life.”
Earlfaced Todd down. “That’s not going to happen, son. Don’t ask again!”
Toddgave Kai one last long look and then stormed out, slamming the door.
“I’msorry about that. He heard about the news and got excited.” Earl twisted hishandle-bar mustache.
Kainodded. “I’m sorry, too. Our peace with the human government is fragile. Ican’t go changing every sick human. Most would die during thechange, I’msure you understand.”
Earlnodded. “Absolutely. I’m in agreement with you.”
Jeremycleared his throat. “Vampires don’t get sick either, why doesn’t anyone want usto change them?”
Aleksmiled. “Because no one wants to be a bloodsucker, kid,” he joked and we alllaughed, easing the tension.
‘Kai,would changing a few sick humans help boost our image with them?’I wondered again.
‘No,I have been having meetings with the president, the deputy secretary, the CIA.They all have one strong request. Don’t let the supernatural race overpower thehumans. Right now they are in a strong position with their numbers and theywant to keep it that way. They don’t even know about the witches. If we changeone, it will spread like a wildfire. The government will take us out.’
Igroaned. He was right. We had RAIDOS and Layla’s clan against us. We didn’tneed any more enemies. Shit, this entire situation was spreading. I was humannot too long ago. I understood the desire to want to be healthy, but thiscouldn’t be the future. Kai was right. If we changed too many, the governmentwould rise up in anger. If too many died during thechange, the humanswould retaliate. It was a damn shitty situation to be in.
“So,what’s the next step? My men are hungry to take out this vampire queen and allof her drug runners,” Earl asked.
Kaiglanced sidelong at me. “Layla may not take the bait now that she has a bag ofAurora’s blood. We should think of another plan.”
Irolled my eyes. “Kai, it’s still a good plan. Of course she will still want me.That blood bag will run out soon.”
Kaiglared at me. “Hear me out. Kat called to thank us for finding Murphy and saidthere was some retaliation on her pack from our little stunt at the border afew months ago.”
Yeah,I could imagine there was. We hijacked three busloads full of heroin and sentthem up into flames.
