Annihilate (Hive Trilogy #3)(45)

Ryder shifted his stance. “Our plan all along was to have the help of the human government. We have no idea what will happen in the few hours after the plan goes into effect. The cure is not instant, and vampires can do a lot of damage in a short time. But it’s imperative they don’t find out before the plan goes into action, otherwise we’re all screwed.”

Lincoln seemed to consider me, staring at my forehead like it would unlock something.

“You really think you can cure them all? All of them?” He really stressed the last few words.

I sighed. “Well, obviously not every single one. But the vampires live in controlled little societies. The Hives. And they live on one thing, blood, so I’m pretty damn sure we will get 95% of them.”

He seemed pleased with that answer. “A vaccine you say?”

I nodded. “My blood is the cure. Once Tessa wakes up you’ll see.”

“Boss…” Sasha entered the room with the machine, and for the first time she looked out of control. Her hands even looked to be shaking. “You’ve been infected.”

Lincoln swayed on his feet, and now that she had said it, I noticed he was looking ashen, fine beads of sweat on his face. Shit.

“You know protocol. Call it in,” he stated, his expression calming as he managed to hide his shock.

Sasha reached for her phone, but before she could dial I threw both of my hands in her direction, waving like a crazy person. “Calm down, everyone. Let’s talk this through.” Sasha stalled, holding her phone. “You call this in and they will drop him off at the local Hive. The Hive he just helped slaughter.”

Sasha shook her head. “No, it’s standard procedure in our specialized units. We don’t go down the bloodsucker route. We sign waivers and documents stating this much. He’ll be…” She didn’t finish, but I heard her loud and clear.

My mouth popped open. “They KILL you?”

Lincoln nodded. “It’s what I want. I don’t want to be a bloodsucker. No offense.”

Been there. Got the shirt. And vamp was so much worse than ash.

“Then let me help you. I’m the cure, remember?”

Lincoln seemed to consider it. “You still have yet to prove that.” He gestured to the room where Tessa was recovering.

I levelled a glare on him. “Option one: you think I’m a liar and call this in and get yourself killed. Option two: you trust me, inject some of my blood in your arm, and have the rest of your life as a human. What do you have to lose by trusting me?”

He still hesitated, and I wanted to roll my eyes. Men. Seriously. Idiots.

I crossed my arms and looked at Sasha. This woman had power; she needed to use it. She met my steely gaze and gave me a curt nod before getting in her boss’s face.

“Do it. If it doesn’t work by morning, I’ll kill you myself,” she said bluntly. They stared at each other for a painfully long amount of time. Finally, he nodded.

“Do it!” He outstretched his arm and I could see the beads of sweat on his brow were increasing. The fine veins in his eyes were already bloodshot.

The virus was brutal. No wonder more humans died than were turned. Sasha took my blood and transferred it into Lincoln’s arm. Here’s hoping the human part of him didn’t react to the different blood-type before the cure part got going on the virus. I’d never cured someone who wasn’t fully turned yet.

I guess we’d find out tomorrow. Not to mention that tomorrow was the day we’d meet up with the rest of the sexy six and kick our plan into action. The next few days would either be the final for us, or the vampires. I know who I had my money on. All five dollars of it.





Chapter 10


Morning came around way too fast. It felt like by the time I did multiple checks on Tessa and Lincoln, the sun was already starting to rise. Sasha eventually kicked me out of the “sick room,” and barely conscious I showered off the debris from the last twenty-four hours and crawled into bed. Ryder’s warm body slid in beside me soon after.

I slept like the dead for a few hours, no dreams, just pure unconsciousness. Ryder’s alarm roused us around 9 A.M. We needed to get moving this morning, no time to sleep the day away. Of course, that didn’t mean we had no time at all for some activities to increase the pleasure of waking up. I found myself caged under Ryder as he held himself above me. His dark hair was tousled, tawny skin bare to my roving eyes. The silver in his eyes was light but swirling. Some of the agony and guilt over the death of his men had abated. He felt like my Ryder again.

We still had a lot to talk about, him taking off like that and everything that had happened yesterday, but right now I needed some us time. The last few weeks had been crap. I was taking this happiness while it was possible.

Lowering himself onto his left elbow, our bodies were now deliciously aligned, naked skin pressing together everywhere. I swear my eyes pretty much rolled back in my head. Could anything feel better than this? Doubtful. Ryder reached out and gently cupped my face before leaning down and pressing soft kisses to the line of my jaw “All healed,” he said between caresses. “Still thinking about killing Lincoln.”

I chuckled, starting to squirm beneath him. My body was on fire. I needed him to hurry this up, because as perfect as those kisses were, I needed more. I needed him. Lifting my legs up, I wrapped them around him and pulled him down into me. The movement shifted his face, and as his lips met mine I let out low groan. The kiss started soft but quickly turned into a blazing fire. His lips moved against mine, gently but also firm, his tongue sweeping into my mouth and caressing mine.