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Chapter 32: King
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Genetically Modified Chapter 33: King
Her eyes show the same need I feel, but her sense of honor holds true. "I need to return home and help my people prepare for the hellhounds with or without Shadow Warriors."I cup her jaw and kiss her again. I swipe the scarf from her hair after our lips meet and move my hands so the tangles are caught around my fingers holding her in place. I explore her soft, warm mouth and I wonder why I didn't kiss her sooner. Beast remains calm, drinking in her taste, wanting more. I want more. She got under our skin the first time she fell. The entire situation is impossible and I shouldn't have allowed it to go this far."It's not happening between us, is it?" she asks softly when I reluctantly let her go."No," I breathe loudly in frustration."I didn't think so, but thank you for this," she looks down at the blanket and bag that contained our lunch before looking at me again."We need to leave." Wrong time, right place. Maybe someday we can come back. Even I know making personal plans for
Genetically Modified Chapter 34: Marinah
The day was too perfect, and I should have known it wouldn't end well. I'm trapped in a very small cave with an injured beast-man with someone trying to kill him close by. The injured party in question has decided I need to be practically sitting in his lap while I try to remember not to look into his eyes. We stay this way for the longest time and strangely I feel safer than I ever have. The sun begins going down and I hear his slight snore before I have a chance to take a good long look at a Shadow Warrior in beast form.He's amazing.If I had to compare him to anything, it would be a wolf, but no wolf holds a candle to this creature. Short hair covers his body that once had smooth skin. His legs are larger and his arms have grown too. His wicked claws are sharp and deadly. It's his jaws and skull that have changed the most, though. Whereas his skull was round before, it's narrower and larger. His enormous teeth overlap and make it look like it would be impossible to close his mout
Genetically Modified Chapter 35: Marinah
It takes two hours to get back to our quarters and I'm exhausted by the time we arrive. Axel is waiting out front when we pull up. Two of the men grab King when he lifts his leg over the bike and stumbles. They half drag him past Axel, who takes a long look at me before following the men. I hope his regard had to do with seeing if I had injuries, because he doesn't say anything and he doesn't look happy.I follow the men and they fortunately don't stop me from entering the medical room. King is moved to a bed and Axel quickly unwraps my makeshift bandage. "I'm administering a shot to relax you so I can help the bullet out the rest of the way," he tells King."No." King lifts his hand and grabs the doctor stopping him from injecting the needle. King glances around the room until his eyes land on mine. I walk over and the men move back. I take King's free hand and hold it. He slowly releases Axel."I don't think he wants an injection."Axel looks at me in frustration. "I really don't
Genetically Modified Chapter 36: King
Beast has never been this calm. The pain is all but gone, and my mind is completely clear. This has never happened when Beast takes over. There's a completeness that I haven't felt before. Why did Beast want her dead?A bigger question is why did the men who came after me want her dead? Without the K-5 flooding my system in waves, I can concentrate on what's important. Someone wants Marinah dead and I need to discover who. Then I'll eat them.Marinah rests the bowl beside us when the healing food is gone and then eats her meal quickly. Exhaustion rolls over me and I fall asleep to the sound of her eating. Sometime during the night, I shift back to human form. When I open my eyes, sunlight enters the room through a high window. Marinah is gone.Axel walks in and takes the chair she vacated. "Good to see you awake.""Where is she?"He sighs. "She went to take a shower and change clothes. She'll be back as soon as she finishes breakfast. I told her I would remain here until she retur
Genetically Modified Chapter 37: Marinah
Today's torture isn't enough to keep my mind off King. Boot isn't helping. He usually assists me, but today he's staying practically on the other side of the room like I'm a leper. I'm currently walking a balance beam and fall for the twentieth time. I step back onto the tricky beam and glare at my worthless trainer across the large open space between us."What is going on?" I demand after wobbling and then finding my center."You just fell," he says like he has no idea what I'm talking about."If you were standing over here, giving me a shoulder to balance with like a good little trainer, I wouldn't land on the floor or did you forget that part of this exercise?""You're depending on me too much and you need to learn to trust your feet. You're standing just fine now. Try lifting one toe and pointing it toward the door.""I'll do it if you come here and keep me from falling."He crosses his arms, the stubborn man. "I'll watch from here, thank you."First Beck and now Boot. The t
Genetically Modified Chapter 38: King
Seeing Boot so close to Marinah ruffled Beast's feathers. Mine were a little more controllable, but I'll admit I didn't like it either. Boot is mated and it's the only reason he walked from the room under his own willpower. I'm at a crossroads. Marinah returning to the Federation is still a very real possibility.Add to that, her confidence since she began training is remarkable. She's standing tall and tripping less. I'm sure having Shadow Warriors around where you're the shortest person helps her value her height. We are larger than life and intimidating. Since her arrival, Marinah has shown little fear, but now she's not just fearless, she's inspiring. She has a strong work ethic and Boot's daily reports have gone from "It's torture to watch," to "She could be an actual fighter." He doesn't mean in the ring, he means war. That won't be happening.I've spent too much time examining my inner turmoil with Beast. I still don't understand it and he's not following normal guidelines whe
Genetically Modified Chapter 39: Marinah
I jump half out of my pants when I turn from the door and see Boot standing in my room partially hidden in the shadows. "What are you doing here?"From his expression it's something bad. "My son is missing. He talks about killing hellhounds all the time. His plastic knife is missing along with his bicycle."Fear seizes me. Hellhounds are the creatures of my nightmares, and the terror I feel at even the thought of being near them almost takes me to my knees. "He would go out alone to find them?""That's what he's done, we know it." The worry in Boot's eyes is clear. If Che runs into a hellhound, he's dead."You need to tell King.""If I can't find Che I will, but I was hoping you would help me look."He's out of his mind. "You're out of your mind," I say out loud. "I can barely protect myself and even that's debatable." I deepen my breathing so I don't hyperventilate."He's on a bike. How far can he get? Please, I need your help. Maylin is beside herself, but she can't stop vomit
Genetically Modified Chapter 40: King
This can't be happening. I won't let it.I bust through the doors of medical and rest Marinah on one of the beds. I don't see Axel, so I administer the antidote myself jabbing the needle into her arm. "Come on, Marinah, fight!""It won't help, King," Axel says from over my shoulder. One look in his eyes and I want to take off his head. He doesn't know what he's saying."It must," I shout in frustration. I take Marinah's hand and bring it to my cheek. "She's my mate," I implore my friend. "She can't die. You need to cut the poison out.""King," he says softly."No! Screw you. Do something to save her. You can.""I can't." He shakes his head then turns and leaves the room.He's left her to die.I bury my face in her stomach and hold on. If I can hold her long enough, she can beat this. Her body shudders and her eyes open. She shouldn't be, but she's still conscious. "Hold on Marinah," I tell her."It hurts. My body hurts," she cries through gritted teeth the lines of her face sh
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Genetically Modified Chapter 113: King
Marinah is working with Ruth, who's making incredible progress. There hasn't been a complaint about the child in weeks. She follows Marinah around like she's her personal guard. The sword Marinah gave her always on her hip and her hand on the pommel daring anyone to threaten her instructor."King," Beck calls. "We have urgent news from the northern outpost."Here we go. It's been too quiet. "I'll grab Marinah. Have the men join us in the conference room in five." I don't ask what the news is because it's Marinah's job. Beck should have gone to her first, but that's something she needs to deal with. Eventually things will fall into place. When I took over after my uncle's death, it was the same way. Shadow Warriors expect a leader and sometimes knocking heads is the best way to lead them.I enter the gym, and Ruth is holding her sword with trembling arms, sweat rolling down her brow, and a stubborn set to her jaw which reminds me of Marinah's determination when she first trained. The
Genetically Modified Chapter 112: Marinah
They were laughing at me, and I don't blame them.I simply can't lead hundreds of men, scratch that, Shadow Warriors. I have no idea what I'm doing. I replay the entire meeting in my head. They're like children, and I can't believe I need to point them in a direction and tell them what to do.Stupid.And King's gone through this for years.Labyrinth mentioned Cosway, and it reminded me I need to check on her. I begin my search and eventually give up and ask one of the door guards. He points me to the outside courtyard. I find her there, playing with the kittens."Pretty butterfly," she says when she notices me.She's a rather pretty butterfly herself now. Soap, water, and good food make her look younger. Someone also took a chisel to her teeth. I'd place her in her mid-twenties. "Hi, Cosway. Do you mind if I join you and play with the kittens?"She pushes the calico in my direction, and I grab him before he scampers off. "He likes the pretty butterfly.""I like him," I say, cra
Genetically Modified Chapter 111: King
Marinah's avoidance doesn't bother me. She needs time to think this through. What she doesn't understand is, she's a leader and she's strong enough to lead the Shadow Warriors. I remember my doubts in the beginning. They ate me alive. The difference is Marinah has me at her side. I won't let her flounder.Axel begins testing the whistles after I give him Marinah's orders. I inform my guard that Marinah doesn't have meetings or training planned for today."You told her?" asks Beck."She took it as well as expected.""That bad?""It could have been worse." And the earthquake that took down San Francisco in 1906 could have been worse too."You want us twiddling our thumbs?" asks Labyrinth.The man's a lummox and I don't count dexterity as one of his pluses so I doubt he could. "Until we have our orders, go for it."He nods, lifts his hands, and twiddles those monstrous thumbs. That's when Marinah walks into the conference room. The men come to attention immediately, and it hits me
Genetically Modified Chapter 110: King
She handles it better than I expected. It's been three days, and she refuses to mention a word about it. Like I said, better than expected. Before coming here, Beck asked if she understood what's happened. He laughed when I asked if he was planning to tell her. His exact words were, "Throw me in a pit of hellhounds first."Wise man.It's four incredible days of bliss before she decides to voice her concerns. We're in bed in the early afternoon, after enjoying uninterrupted adult time. "I can't be a leader," she says with her head lying on my chest and her body half on mine. "I've just commanded my first unit. Leaders need experience.""They do.""How the heck do I gain experience? No, wait. I don't want that kind of experience. They're your men, King. Don't do this to me. You can't." Her fingers dig into my hip.Very softly, I tell her the truth, "They're your men now.""It won't work." She slams her fists on the bed beside me. I fight a smile. Now is not the time. "You can't pos
Genetically Modified Chapter 109: King
It took hours to get everything in place. I enter our room, and Marinah is sleeping. I quickly pack a bag for us both. She sleeps through it. I'm tired, but nothing will keep my alone time with Marinah from happening.Beck is attending the funerals in my absence. It's the only thing that made me hesitate with this mad scheme.Beck put me straight. "You take this time with your mate. You have more problems than simple mating rage. When you come back, you get the hellspawn, and I'm taking Missy away."I hope Marinah will forgive me when she misses Ryan's funeral. His loss hit her hard. I still remember the first Shadow Warrior who died under my command. It doesn't get easier.I collect everything we need and wake her. "Remember I told you I'm kidnapping you," I say when I'm sure she's awake."I think," she mumbles groggily.I scoop her into my arms. "It's happening."With the two bags tossed over my shoulder, and my mate in my arms, we leave the room. "I need clothes," she finally
Genetically Modified Chapter 108: Marinah
King places his arm around my shoulders, and we walk back to the outpost together. He tells me none of the humans in the outpost died, so I know Ruth and Missy are okay. But Ryan. He took my place and died because of it. Was he right? Should I have gone instead? I'll never know that answer, and it will haunt me forever.This is what King deals with. He takes every Shadow Warrior life personally. Now I know what it feels like. I lift my shoulders. It won't be easy, but I'll learn to live with it. We walk through the outpost gates, and Ruth spots me and starts running.Two feet away, she comes to a dead stop. "You're... huge. And bloody, cool."From beautiful to huge. This isn't looking good. "Yeah, I guess I am.""Are you meaner?"Oh, this child. "I hope not."Her lips curve downward and her eyes go stubborn. "Then it's not that cool.""She stabbed the general with her claws until there was nothing left of his face," Labyrinth tells the unimpressed child."You did?"I hope the
Genetically Modified Chapter 107: King
I lose track of Marinah after she takes off for the vehicles holding the rotary guns. She figured out what Smythe had planned. My men are ready to enter the fight. We circle the area where Marinah is taking on the rotary guns and leave our position. We've flanked the enemy on all sides. Many begin running toward Marinah, trying to get away, but I don't have time to think about the danger she's in. Beck's men are inside the outpost now, holding back the hellhounds. There are a few stragglers, and my men draw their swords and cut them down.The Federation soldiers realize they aren't winning and begin laying down their weapons. A hellhound about twenty feet from me grabs one stupid man. His muffled screams stop when the hound chews his face off. I charge three hounds with my sword, cutting them down as I run. Half my men point their rifles at the surrendering soldiers who have decided being shot is a quicker way to die than being eaten by hounds. They are no longer placing their weapons
Genetically Modified Chapter 106: Marinah
I lift my glasses again. Now I can see Beck and Cabel moving. I turn to the outpost and for the first time see General Smythe. I lick my lips. He won't be getting away this time. To hell with questioning him. If given the chance, I'll take his throat.Humans are stationed along the high wall on the inside of the outpost. The hellhounds will easily go up and over. Missy will have those unable to fight secured underground in one of their bunkers. Beck and his men will go against the hellhounds to stop them. Labyrinth's job is to take on the Federation soldiers.Knowing some Federation soldiers are here by force unsettles me.Kill, Ms. Beast whispers at my reticence. Yes, kill. If they are willing to kill civilians, including women and children, they won't be leaving here alive. My resolve is set, and I'm impatient to fight. Everyone is in place, and nothing is going on that I can see.The Federation waits ten more minutes, and then everything happens at once. The hellhounds are unl
Genetically Modified Chapter 105: Marinah
Cabel meets us outside the outpost walls and leads us to a large group of Warriors. The tension in the air is thick. Missy told us that more than a thousand soldiers have joined the Federation camp about two miles away. This morning, the soldiers began collecting their belongings. They are leaving or attacking, and the former doesn't seem likely.King speaks in hushed tones so our voices don't carry in the still night. There isn't a breeze, but it's chilly. I prefer warmth. It's times like this that I really miss our island. Pushing the thought aside, I listen to King. I need my head clear and thinking of home won't help.We have close to four hundred warriors versus a thousand Federation soldiers. If it weren't for the hellhounds, this would be a piece of cake. There's no way Smythe isn't leading this force. Is he unaware the Shadow Warriors have aligned with the outposts? Spying in the new world isn't as it once was. You need eyes now, not satellites. The Federation is building up
