A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(25)

Sloan’s eyes widened when Pam reached out, hugging him before quickly letting go. “Thank you.”

“Any news?” Duncan’s voice was harsh with worry as he helped Pam up on the examining table to sit.

Sloan cleared his throat, his gaze still on Pam. “Not yet.” He finally shifted his attention to Duncan and Slade. “I’m trying to set up a hearing ASAP, but so far nothing.”

Duncan cursed and took hold of Pam’s hand. He spoke to Slade. “What about you?”

“I just got off the phone with an old colleague of mine from California.” Slade actually felt some hope, and it must have shown on his face because Pam sat up straighter, her eyes clearing.

“Do they know what to do to help us that won’t get you guys arrested?” Her voice sounded as weak as she looked.

“They’ve been injecting vampire blood into the half-breeds who are under their care, like a blood transfusion. They seem to be tolerating it more intravenously than actually feeding.” Slade began, but held up his hand when they all three started to talk at once. “It’s dangerous and it may not work. It has worked with some, but not others, and on some it makes them sicker. For the ones who it has helped, they don’t know how long the results will last.”

“Do it.” Pam’s voice strengthened with hope.

Slade frowned. “Pam, there are risks and you really need to think about this before we jump in—”

“I’m getting weaker by the day.” Pam’s voice shook. “I can’t even pick up Daniel anymore. If there is a possibility that this will work to buy us time, then I want it done now.”

Glancing at Duncan waiting for his approval, Pam grabbed Slade’s arm, drawing his attention back to her.

“This is my decision,” Pam added before looking up at Duncan. “It’s my risk to take.”

Duncan’s face was void of emotion, but his eyes expressed his turmoil. “What do we need to do?”

“Pam, why don’t you go be with Daniel for a little while.” Slade’s phone beeped behind him. “I need to take some blood from Duncan and then we’ll start.”

Nodding, Pam let Duncan help her off the table. “Have you done this with Jill yet?” she asked before leaving.

“No, not yet,” Slade replied, glancing at his phone.

Pam nodded with one last glance at Duncan before walking out the door and leaving the three Warriors alone.

“So are you using Pam as a trial before giving it to Jill?” Duncan’s mood turned dangerous as soon as Pam was out of hearing range.

Sloan took a step forward, but didn’t comment.

Slade looked up from his phone, his expression furious. “I’m going to ignore that, you son of a bitch because I know how worried you are.” Slade slammed his phone down. “Jill has a fever and is not a good candidate for this, yet. I will check Pam over before I attempt to even try this, so keep your f*cking attitude to yourself and know I am trying to save not only your mate, but mine as well.”

Duncan stepped back and sighed. “Sorry, man, I’m just—”

“I know.” Slade took a deep breath trying to calm himself down. If he was in Duncan’s shoes, he probably would have thought the same thing.

“Is Jill okay?” Sloan asked, giving Duncan a moment to regain his composure.

“Nicole and Tessa are with her now in our room.” Slade cleared his throat. “She stole Adam’s car to go see her brother.”

“Again?” Sloan shook his head, a small grin slipping across his lips.

“Yeah.” Slade also grinned. “Hunter tracked her down and we found her and her brother jumping from a vine into a lake. She was having the time of her life, but I think it was too much for her weakening system because now she’s running a fever.” His smile slipped away as quickly as it appeared.

No one said a word. Three of the most feared Warriors stood in Slade’s office staring into space, at a total loss of what to do. Anything that threatened their own, they could deal with and had dealt with, but this was something different. It seemed as though all the odds were stacked against them.

“I won’t let them die,” Slade repeated. He hoped that if he said it enough, it would be the truth.

“Promise me one thing.” Duncan looked up from the floor. “Tell me when it’s time, because I will not let Pam die when changing her could save her life. She refused to let me change her now because of her fear for me, but—”

“I will let you know, brother,” Slade promised, placing his large hand on Duncan’s shoulder.

Duncan looked at Sloan. “If anything happens to me, I want your promise to take care of my family.”

“If I’m not rotting in the jail cell with you, you have my promise,” Sloan vowed.

“No, you need to stay neutral,” Duncan replied. “You’re the only thing that keeps us going. Without your leadership, everything we’ve achieved will be lost.”

Slade nodded in agreement. “He’s right.” Slade scrubbed Duncan’s arm, prepping him to take his blood for Pam. “We’re going to need someone in our corner on the outside who has the contacts you do. This is going to get worse before it gets better.”

Sloan cursed. “Has Adam showed any signs?”