A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(18)

“The only risk I see is losing Jill and that is not a risk I’m willing to take.” Slade’s eyes burned as he stared at Sloan, an unspoken message that was loud and clear passed between them.

“You know the consequences of changing someone without consent. We got away with it with Steve, but that was a whole different situation. It looks like what is happening with Pam and Jill is happening everywhere.”  Sloan wanted to make damn sure Slade knew exactly what was out of his control to stop from happening. “Not only will you be jailed, stripped of your VC Warrior status, but you will never be able to practice medicine, human nor vampire again.”

“I know the f*cking risks, Sloan.” Slade growled, his voice raspy with emotion. “I have a wedding coming up in less than three weeks and if I don’t fix this, I won’t have a bride.”

“Weddings get cancelled all the time.” Sloan played the devil’s advocate. He wanted to make damn sure he knew where Slade’s head was because if he was going to fight for his Warriors, he needed to know with no doubt whatsoever in his own mind. The silence was deafening and he actually waited for Slade to attack, because he knew how much he loved Jill, but a calm façade shadowed Slade’s features.

“Not mine.” Slade’s voice was deep with conviction.

******

Jill quietly backed away from Slade’s door before turning around and walking quickly away. The hallway swam before her eyes as she stumbled away. The silence after Sloan said to cancel the wedding was enough for her to hear, but even if Slade had doubts, she would never allow him to put himself in a position to lose everything he had worked for, not for her.

Seeing Nicole and Tessa before they saw her, she ducked down another hallway and waited until they were gone. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. No, that was a lie. Pulling her phone out, she shot off a text and waited. Relief settled over her as her phone dinged. Reading the text, she walked out of her hiding spot and headed out the front door, but not before she turned off her phone.

Walking toward one of the cars, she frowned checking her pockets, but she knew she didn’t have the keys. “Crap.” Spotting Adam’s car, she grinned. “Ah, what the hell.”

Jogging up to the car, she was happy it wasn’t locked. Opening the door, she bent down and went to work. Within minutes, she had the car running. So he must be back to trusting her, his mistake. With a snort, Jill climbed in, backed up and pulled out of the driveway.

As she drove, her mind kept going back to Sloan and Slade’s conversation, her stomach tightening with fear. Fear of death, fear of losing the only person she ever loved, and fear of watching him lose everything he ever worked for. She felt a full-blown panic attack coming on and fought it back.

After twenty minutes, she passed her old house and drove down a narrow dirt path. Seeing her brother’s car, she smiled, instantly feeling better. He leaned against the driver’s side door watching her with his familiar grin.

“Long time no see, stranger,” Trevor teased. “Now that you’re a big-time Warrior, you can’t find time for us lowly humans?”

Okay, that hit her hard, but she kept the smile on her face. “Yeah, I have to pencil you in.”

“You called me, remember.” Trevor grabbed her in a hug and ruffled her hair. “Smart ass.”

Jill hugged him, not realizing how tight. “Missed you.”

Trevor gasped for air. “Whoa, there, sis.” He gently pushed at her. “You’re squeezing me to death.”

“Sorry.” Jill pulled away then looked around. “Is the swing still up?”

“What’s going on, Jill?” Trevor’s smile slipped.

“What? I can’t call my brother to hang for a little bit?” Jill didn’t look at him; instead, she walked down the path she had walked more times than she could count. Things were different, yet comforting and the same. No, that wasn’t right. Everything here was the same; she was different.

Trevor stepped next to her and placed his arm around her. Quietly, they made their way through the woods, Jill taking everything in. A sense of peace mixed with turmoil consumed her mind. Reaching the end of the path, which overlooked a large lake, Jill stepped to the edge.

“Water’s up,” she said absently, and then looked over at the old tree leaning over the calm water. “And there’s the vine, still intact after all these years.”

Trevor leaned up against a tree watching her closely. “Okay, Jill.” He no longer wore a grin. “You’re freaking me the hell out. What’s going on?”

Jill pulled on the thick vine and sure enough, it held strong. With a sigh, she released it and sat down on a large boulder. “I’m sick, Trev.”

“Whatever. You’re a vampire.” Trevor snorted, rolling his eyes, but when Jill didn’t laugh he sat next to her.

“I’m half-vampire.” Jill glanced at him with her mismatched eyes. “Long story short, whatever was in the serum they injected to change us is failing, and my body is fighting it off.”

“You’re shitting me.” Trevor half-grinned, nudging her.

She nudged him back before looking back at him. “I wish I was.”

Trevor stared at her for a minute then stood. “No!” He shook his head. “There has to be something they can do.”