Page 68 of Mated to the Vikings

“We will find out. Trust me.”

“You are here. What are you looking for?” Klar stood in the foyer, glaring into my eyes alone. We would spar one day. Of that I had no doubt.

“Signs of sickness,” Cassia answered, confronting Klar. “What do you know about the disease?”

“What I know doesn’t matter but if they have the disease, they need to be eliminated immediately. What you will find out is that there is nothing that can stop these monsters short of death. They respond to nothing but violence, feeding off one another as they murder our people,” Klar snickered. “But you will learn the hard way.”

“Why weren’t we told?” Brexin asked, an incredulous look on his face.

“It wasn’t my place to tell our people they could die by members of their own kind.” Klar’s answer was laced with scorn.

“Steen lied to all of us,” Brexin stated with disgust.

“Let’s go room by room,” I suggested.

“I will wait outside.” Klar left without saying another word.

“Let’s get this over with,” Cassia breathed.

We went room by room, detecting almost nothing until we reached the subjects in what could only be described as a glorified basement, one capable of being locked from the outside.

What we found was not only horrific, but a clear indication that Steen knew all along what could happen. Six of the hybrids, creatures we could barely identify as human or Galerian were already shackled to their beds, writhing in pain. I could hear their bones and muscles creaking, continuing in their transformation even as the disease attacked their bloodstream.

“What in the hell?” Brexin’s voice echoed in the dingy space. “The change is deplorable and moves faster than anything I’ve ever witnessed before. I saw them as they were brought in two days ago. They were very human in appearance.”

“That’s because of the DNA splicing,” Cassia said quietly.

“Similar to what you’ve seen before?” I wasn’t certain I wanted to know the answer.

Brexin shook his head. “You don’t understand, Erik. The hybrids are already stronger and faster than our people. The horrific changes were mostly in their minds, other than lesions and skin discoloration, much like what you noticed with David. Take a look at them. They are continuing to morph, but they are truly… monsters.”

“Steen’s dirty little secret.” As Cassia approached, there was no sign of recognition, only the understanding that a presence stood in front of them, an enemy to their survival.

Snarls and growls, more animal in nature than human became a collective cry, every beast struggling to get to her. And what did they crave?

Flesh and bone.

* * *

Cassia

Beasts. Monsters. Predators.

There was little else that these poor beings could be called. This wasn’t about transformation into a genetically perfect half human. This was about destroying all humanity. “The genetic work must have significantly increased the gestation period. At this rate, they won’t last two more days.” I was horrified, shaking to my very core.

“Look at their eyes,” Brexin whispered, dragging me further away from them.

“I can still see cognitive function. They are terrified,” I managed, blinking away tears. How could this happen?

“Do you believe you can help them?” Erik asked.

I’d sensed his increasing anger, making him more volatile than before. The last thing we needed to do was make the wrong decision. “We have little time. If there’s any way to stop this progression and if the fire didn’t destroy the reports detailing the experiments, I might be able to develop some sort of an inoculation, at least slowing the disease.”

“A lot of if’s and maybe’s,” Brexin said quietly.

“If not, they will all turn into murderous creatures and no one will be safe,” Erik answered.

Brexin exhaled, the sound reeking of despair. “Then we go to the compound with or without Steen’s blessing.”