Page 66 of Mated to the Vikings

“Not entirely, but you need to listen to me.” Facing her, I kept my words even. “If what I believe is correct, this could change everything and the decisions we make will be difficult.”

“Meaning what? What?”

The door was pitched open, Brexin jogging inside. “I found David. He didn’t make it far, but…”

“What’s wrong?” Cassia demanded. “Finish what you were about to say.”

“He’s fallen ill,” I answered. “The disease.”

Brexin nodded. “It’s happening quickly.”

“What the fuck is going on? What disease?” Cassia took long strides closer.

He stole a look at me, waiting for my nod. “There is a disease that has plagued Galerians for years. I thought it didn’t follow us to this planet, that it was eradicated maybe, but…”

“So there really is another planet.” Cassia’s tone was accusatory. “This bullshit gets better and better. What else do I need to know?”

“Tell her the truth, Brexin, for God’s sake. We don’t have much time to waste.” I snarled my words, trying to control the increasing anger.

“The humans couldn’t have known that a disease has been ravaging our civilization for two decades. If they did, then they did this for their own personal gain, realizing they would be able to wipe our entire clan prior to their arrival.” Brexin backed into the doorway.

“That makes no sense. If that were the case, then why bother with the DNA splicing and all the secrecy?” Cassia bit her lip, shaking her head over and over. “Humans need your DNA. We must be incapable of producing children. And this isn’t about building any cities. You already have them here, fully equipped and secured, perfect for a mere two thousand humans to survive.”

Brexin growled, the sound riddled with rage. “That isn’t going to happen. I will kill every human who arrives.”

“Take it easy. We don’t know what’s going on yet,” I instructed, hearing David’s agonizing moan. “He is in significant pain.”

“We need to get him somewhere safe before the guards find him. Our only chance is appealing to Steen.” Brexin scanned the hallway.

“And what if the guards find him?” Cassia asked as she touched his arm.

Brexin took a deep breath before speaking. “They will kill him. Follow me, but I want you to understand that what he’s going through is… David is very sick and he doesn’t look the same.”

Still shaking, Cassia and I looked at each other. “I’m a trained doctor and scientist, Brexin. I’ve seen ravaging damage from various diseases on humans, the horrors that occur. I can handle this.”

Brexin nodded but in his eyes I could see the kind of sadness from images that would forever haunt him.

We raced down the corridor, finding David’s naked body slumped over in the doorway of an empty room.

“Oh, my God. What has happened to you?” Cassia exclaimed before crouching down, easing him over and placing her hand on his forehead. “He’s burning up and completely dehydrated. What is this disease? You need to tell me exactly what’s going on if there’s any hope of helping him.”

David’s skin was discolored, veins bulging and his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe. There was no adequate way to describe the change in his body structure, but even his muscles were more rigid, extremities elongated. The effects were completely different than what Brexin had mentioned, suggesting the DNA slicing had altered the disease itself.

“There is no official name. When we left Galerius, our doctors were working on the cause and how the disease is transmitted.” Brexin snarled, slamming his hand on the wall. “This can’t continue, or every clan could be wiped out in weeks. Not months. Not years. Weeks. That’s as much as I know about this wretched sickness.”

“There is no cure?” she barked as she checked his pulse.

“Not that I am aware of,” Brexin half whispered.

“Tell her why the other members of your clan will want him killed,” I snapped.

Cassia snapped her head in his direction. “Tell me!”

“This disease mainly affects their minds. They turn into killers. They have no conscience, no understanding of right and wrong. And they can’t be stopped.”

Brexin’s chilling words hung in the air.

“If the DNA splicing allows for Galerian diseases to be transferred to the human counterpart, then all the hybrids are susceptible. They must be examined. There is no way that Dr. Forrester knew this. The asshole might have eliminated our chances of survival because of his arrogance and greed.” Rising to her feet, she glared at Brexin.