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Chapter 36: King
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Genetically Modified Chapter 37: Marinah
Today's torture isn't enough to keep my mind off King. Boot isn't helping. He usually assists me, but today he's staying practically on the other side of the room like I'm a leper. I'm currently walking a balance beam and fall for the twentieth time. I step back onto the tricky beam and glare at my worthless trainer across the large open space between us."What is going on?" I demand after wobbling and then finding my center."You just fell," he says like he has no idea what I'm talking about."If you were standing over here, giving me a shoulder to balance with like a good little trainer, I wouldn't land on the floor or did you forget that part of this exercise?""You're depending on me too much and you need to learn to trust your feet. You're standing just fine now. Try lifting one toe and pointing it toward the door.""I'll do it if you come here and keep me from falling."He crosses his arms, the stubborn man. "I'll watch from here, thank you."First Beck and now Boot. The t
Genetically Modified Chapter 38: King
Seeing Boot so close to Marinah ruffled Beast's feathers. Mine were a little more controllable, but I'll admit I didn't like it either. Boot is mated and it's the only reason he walked from the room under his own willpower. I'm at a crossroads. Marinah returning to the Federation is still a very real possibility.Add to that, her confidence since she began training is remarkable. She's standing tall and tripping less. I'm sure having Shadow Warriors around where you're the shortest person helps her value her height. We are larger than life and intimidating. Since her arrival, Marinah has shown little fear, but now she's not just fearless, she's inspiring. She has a strong work ethic and Boot's daily reports have gone from "It's torture to watch," to "She could be an actual fighter." He doesn't mean in the ring, he means war. That won't be happening.I've spent too much time examining my inner turmoil with Beast. I still don't understand it and he's not following normal guidelines whe
Genetically Modified Chapter 39: Marinah
I jump half out of my pants when I turn from the door and see Boot standing in my room partially hidden in the shadows. "What are you doing here?"From his expression it's something bad. "My son is missing. He talks about killing hellhounds all the time. His plastic knife is missing along with his bicycle."Fear seizes me. Hellhounds are the creatures of my nightmares, and the terror I feel at even the thought of being near them almost takes me to my knees. "He would go out alone to find them?""That's what he's done, we know it." The worry in Boot's eyes is clear. If Che runs into a hellhound, he's dead."You need to tell King.""If I can't find Che I will, but I was hoping you would help me look."He's out of his mind. "You're out of your mind," I say out loud. "I can barely protect myself and even that's debatable." I deepen my breathing so I don't hyperventilate."He's on a bike. How far can he get? Please, I need your help. Maylin is beside herself, but she can't stop vomit
Genetically Modified Chapter 40: King
This can't be happening. I won't let it.I bust through the doors of medical and rest Marinah on one of the beds. I don't see Axel, so I administer the antidote myself jabbing the needle into her arm. "Come on, Marinah, fight!""It won't help, King," Axel says from over my shoulder. One look in his eyes and I want to take off his head. He doesn't know what he's saying."It must," I shout in frustration. I take Marinah's hand and bring it to my cheek. "She's my mate," I implore my friend. "She can't die. You need to cut the poison out.""King," he says softly."No! Screw you. Do something to save her. You can.""I can't." He shakes his head then turns and leaves the room.He's left her to die.I bury my face in her stomach and hold on. If I can hold her long enough, she can beat this. Her body shudders and her eyes open. She shouldn't be, but she's still conscious. "Hold on Marinah," I tell her."It hurts. My body hurts," she cries through gritted teeth the lines of her face sh
Genetically Modified Chapter 41: Marinah
Pain slides beneath my skin, muscles tear, bones break. I writhe in madness fighting against the straps holding me down. Rage floods my veins, a killing rage that needs... needs.... The red haze pushes away all other colors, clarifying the distinct lines of each object around me, bringing them into focus like never before. I lift my head, turning the six-inch snout that's now part of me left and then right as I sniff the air and read the scent of everything and everyone in the room."Take my hand, Marinah. Concentrate on my voice."His words are too loud and I bring my hands up to my ears and then shy away from the claws that almost take off my face. My body is no longer my own and something foreign has invaded, taking me along for a ride of terror.The words float into my clouded brain again, "You're okay. Breathe."I try to push his voice away, but I know that voice and I clasp onto it, holding it in a small part of my brain, the part that wants reason to return."Concentrate, M
Genetically Modified Chapter 42: Marinah
"Breathe, Marinah." King talks me through the sudden rush of Kedorine 5, or K-5 as King calls it, that tries to shove itself into my veins. K-5 is the miracle that brings on the shift for Shadow Warriors and it's packed with other powerful hormones too. You can't catch it, it's not a disease, it's something you're born with, and I'm the lucky woman to be the first female Warrior in hundreds of years. "Inhale, exhale. Don't allow your beast to win. You say when she's in charge, not her."Sweat breaks out across my freshly washed skin. The red haze slowly recedes and I'm able to tug Beast back where she belongs. "I've got it," I practically wheeze through clenched teeth as the room returns to focus and my breathing slows.It takes most Shadow Warriors a year or longer to control their beasts enough to be around humans. Humans will be present tonight and I need to remember how easy they are to break. As of today, I have little control over my clawed hands and I'm lucky I haven't taken o
Genetically Modified Chapter 43: King
The past two days have been hell. It's one thing to watch a teenaged young man going through his first change but it's very different for it to happen to my mate. Marinah's a trouper and she's handling this much better than many Warriors do.Things happened quickly after Axel and I realized what was taking place. We've handled it many times before, though under entirely different circumstances. Usually a Warrior brings their teenage son to me and I assign them a Shadow until they are able to control themselves. They'll live with their Shadow if the mother and father prefer. If younger children are present in the house, it's a must. A new Warrior will not intentionally harm someone they love, but accidents involving unaccustomed strength, claws, and teeth happen.The most important thing is to limit mood fluctuations and stress. Tonight, just forty-eight hours after her first shift, I'm taking Marinah into a situation that ticks all the wrong boxes. Axel thinks it's a mistake and I'm
Genetically Modified Chapter 44: Marinah
I glance at my guards standing a few feet away ready to jump in if needed. "It's time to begin." I raise Marinah's hand and kiss the backs of her fingers. "Stay with Axel." I search her eyes for just long enough to see if she's handling herself before I glance away."I'm fine, really," she assures me.Axel nods, letting me know that he has her. I walk forward and face about two hundred people who came to say farewell to Boot. A few "hushes" sound and small talk quickly dies. "Death is always a tragedy," I say loudly enough for everyone to hear. Marinah grimaces but otherwise doesn't react. "Boot died saving his young son's life." I look to the children standing in a group and find Che. "He loved you and he was proud to call you son." Che's tears stream down his face when I continue. "You are the son of Boot, a mighty Shadow Warrior, and you are one of us as is your mother. Look around you at every Shadow Warrior here. We are your family now." I glance out at the others. "Boot shall
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