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Chapter 77: King
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Genetically Modified Chapter 78: Marinah
I wake up in King's arms. He's sleeping with a satisfied grin on his face, though I'm anything but satisfied. I take a few minutes to stare at him, memorizing each line on his face. Groggily, I finally stumble to the shower and climb into cold water to help me wake up. Ms. Beast doesn't mind and lets me know by humming inside me. She's a fickle beast. The bathroom door opens and King peeks into my morning sanctuary."Need your back washed?" he offers.My eyes flash and desire rolls through me. "If that's all you're coming in for, don't bother," I answer grumpily.He gives one of his killer grins, making me clench my thighs. His blue eyes go dark. King's idea of a back wash includes my legs, feet, arms, stomach, and thighs. Thighs quickly become my favorite. When he's tired of playing, he pushes my back into the wall and lifts me until my legs circle his waist. After a kiss that sizzles my insides even in the cool water, he slides home. The feel of him overwhelms me and everything we
Genetically Modified Chapter 79: Marinah
I ignore the tangy smell of blood that trails down my face while continuing my mad dash through the dark, dense jungle. Teeth of a sharp, prickly branch slice my other cheek. I wince internally when my salty sweat hits the bloody scrapes that now cover most of my face. Sweat also trails between the rough, inch-long hairs covering my body, leaving a distinct scent trail to follow. Right now, there's nothing I can do about it. I've done a fairly good job at keeping my breathing even so my sensitive ears pick up the slightest noise and alert me to danger. While running, I'm planning. Upon seeing the perfect place to hunker down and wait, my course of action is suddenly clear.Danger. Close. Ms. Beast whispers inside my head.Too close, I snarl back, darn her.Kill. Her whisper sends shivers through my entire body.I change direction slightly to avoid a small open area, slow my pace, and head for a thicker crop of trees and brush. Sniffing the air with my elongated snout, I pick up not
Genetically Modified Chapter 80: Marinah
"A little gentleness goes a long way," I grind out between very human teeth. I shifted from my Warrior form as soon as we entered the citadel. I hate the tile floor when I walk across it with three-inch nails jutting from my feet. King laughs at me whenever I grumble about it. Of course he's had more time to grow accustomed to a Beast form that's more than two feet taller than our human one. Also the whole jaw thing which reminds me of an alligator. Add in the stiff bristles of inch-long hair covering my body, and I'm not exactly pretty in Beast form. King wraps the cloth around another time and tapes it securely. His head is tilted down, but he glances up when he's finished, and my breath catches. His incredible crystal-blue eyes heat me from the inside out, and I forget that my fingers are attached more by sutures than flesh."You never complained while I worked on my needlepoint," he teases softly.I put my forehead against his, breathing the air he expels, absorbing the incred
Genetically Modified Chapter 81: Marinah
With the island's reduction in hellhounds, mice and other small rodents are more abundant. The hounds killed everything living they could sink their teeth into, causing a huge reduction in our small animal inhabitants. Now that's changing again, and the eco system is improving. In our new turbulent world, we have no idea how long this will last, and we're taking advantage as best we can. Our food production has doubled, and we're hoping to have a good crop for long-term storage after harvest.I turn my head at a noise about a hundred yards away that doesn't fit the nightlife. The area in question is too dense to see into, but I figure the sound of ringing metal is a clue and the dynamic duo are near. From the corner of my eye, I catch King adjusting his leather straps. Before I object, he shifts."You did that on purpose when I wasn't looking," I whisper. King doesn't control his Beast form in the first hour or so after shifting, and it's usually me that uses my Beast form if we need
Genetically Modified Chapter 82: Marinah
"Che, come now," he commands and takes off jogging at a slow pace so Che can keep up. Running the child into the ground will be a good start to his coming punishment. Che takes a last look at me before deciding his only chance to continue living is with King.When the noise of their departure fades to small animals and crickets, I drop Ruth on her head a few inches from the ground. She tumbles into a scrambled mix of arms, legs, and curses that shouldn't come from the mouth of a ten-year-old. I casually step forward, my boot landing on her hair. She beats at my leg which I barely feel. "This is how easy you are to kill. For some reason you don't get that. I could easily kick your head in, and there's nothing you can do." I place my hand on the sword strapped at my hip. It was a gift from King, designed after a sixteenth century German Mortuary Sword-double-edged, thirty-six inches, with two fullers to reduce the weight when I carry it in human form. It's long enough to remove the head
Genetically Modified Chapter 83: King
Marinah can handle the Hellspawn, I tell myself as I march Che through the citadel to his temporary room while his mother is away. The room is beside the one I share with Marinah. His close proximity hasn't helped our sex life, but then again, nothing has helped our sex life in months. I snuck in and joined her in the shower two days ago for a few stolen minutes. Even then, we were interrupted. I'm about to lose my mind, and the guttersnipe I have by the ear isn't helping matters."If you leave the room again, you're dealing with Marinah, and I promise not to save you.""Will she hurt Ruth?" His lips quiver and his small head tilts to the side, big eyes blinking with just enough moisture this may not be an act.Just great. I would hope she'd knock some sense into the girl, but I doubt that's what's happening. The image in my head is a catfight with no clear winner until one of them is dead. "Ruth will get what she deserves, and so will you." Someone just add heartless to my name.I
Genetically Modified Chapter 84: King
Beck throws himself into a chair with a huff. "They're having an all-out war about it now. It was too dangerous to hang around, so I came here to hide until the fireworks and nuclear explosions settle. I had no idea children were this difficult."I fight a smile. Beck's instant family is something no one saw coming. Missy shot Beck from the sky when he was parachuting into U.S. Territory. After Beck survived the shot and the rough landing, Ruth fought with her mom to be the one to shoot him again. I'm thankful Missy has a backbone and refused her psychopath child.Lips firm, I don't even blink. "That child could single-handedly take out the hellhound population, and you know it. If the hellhounds hadn't started leaving the island before Ruth arrived, I would swear they were running from her."Beck swipes his hand over his face and rests against the chair's back with his eyes covered. "She has no idea she's a child.""She stopped being a child the day her father died, the same as th
Genetically Modified Chapter 85: Marinah
The argument room, as I've dubbed it, is full of King's personal guards. These men are his leaders for good reason. All are deadly fighting machines and have proved their loyalty. Cabel, who married an island woman a year ago, is back as one of King's guards. It's nice to see him at the table. He doesn't smile or acknowledge me and even knowing why, it frustrates me. At least it does until a woman looks in King's direction. Then I understand completely. That doesn't mean I need to like it. Cabel has his mating rage under control and just in time. We need him."Update," King barks into the room as soon as he takes his seat at the head of the table. Beck gives us what he has. "Two survivors. They managed to hide and watch what happened. It started a few days earlier with a message from the Federation ordering all able-bodied men and women to report to the Federation immediately as red stripes." His voice drops, and I hear the fury in each word. Red stripes are the Federation's death f
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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
