Part 23 (2/2)

”It's all connected. Do you truly believe you're here by accident, Dex? You becoming an HPF officer, your partner shooting that boy, your testifying, getting pushed out and recruited by the THIRDS?”

”Are you saying that was all planned?” Dex arched an eyebrow at him. ”For what purpose?”

”To bring you closer.” Shultzon moved his gaze to Sparks before he turned back to Dex. ”You were destined for great things, Dexter, but even a savior must be shown the path. But before you can become who you are meant to be-” Shultzon leaned toward Dex, his bony hands on the table in front of him. ”-you're going to die, and when you do, it will be glorious. It's the dawn of a new era, and it begins and ends with you.”

”You son of a b.i.t.c.h!”

Dex launched out of his chair, and Sloane was there in two strides, throwing his arms around Dex to lift him off his feet, his muscles straining with Dex's weight. Why was Sloane having trouble holding him? Dex pulled at Sloane's arms, and Sloane found himself gritting his teeth as he struggled to keep Dex restrained. Something was wrong. Dex wasn't weak by any means, but Sloane was stronger. He should have had Dex on the floor by now. Was something messing with him? Sloane didn't feel any different.

”Dex, stop!” Sloane didn't know what was happening, but it was freaking him out. Was he losing his strength? Was something getting f.u.c.ked up inside him?

”You murderous motherf.u.c.ker!” Dex struggled against Sloane, pus.h.i.+ng at his chest. ”You had her killed, and now you want to kill me?”

”Nonsense. I don't want to kill you, Dex. Your lover is going to kill you.”

Dex let out a fierce cry, and Sloane could feel Dex slipping from his grip.

”Sparks! I can't hold him!”

Sparks tapped her earpiece, and the door flew open, half a dozen Therian operatives flooding in. It was rather excessive, as surely two or three could easily restrain Dex, but if it meant calming Dex down, he'd go with it. Sloane reluctantly released Dex, wincing as his partner was tackled by the six Therian operatives.

”What the h.e.l.l is going on?”

Sloane frowned down at his hands when he heard Sparks gasp. His head shot up, and he couldn't believe his eyes. Not only was Dex putting up a fight against the six operatives, but he was still on his feet. Sloane rushed in to help when he heard it.

Holy f.u.c.k, his Human partner just hissed like a Felid!

With an additional two bear Therian operatives joining the struggle, they got Dex on the floor onto his stomach, and even then Dex wouldn't give in. Sparks hurried over to Sloane.

”What happened?”

”I don't know. One second it was fine. Next thing I knew, it's like his weight doubled. I couldn't hold him. I thought it was me, that there was something wrong with me. I, um-” Sloane leaned in, his voice quiet. ”-he hissed.”

”Clarify.”

”He hissed like a Felid.”

Sparks's eyes widened, and she dropped to her knees next to Dex, who continued to struggle against the TIN operatives.

”Dex, so help me, if you bite me I will seriously hurt you.”

Sloane got closer, curious as to why the h.e.l.l Sparks was trying to get Dex to open his mouth. When she did, Sloane cursed under his breath. ”Are those what I think they are?”

”Look familiar, don't they.”

Sloane's heart was ready to beat out of him. He shook his head and took a step back. Dex's canine teeth were elongated, and they were the exact length as Sloane's when he was going feral.

”It's happening.”

The room stilled. Shultzon stared at Dex as if he were the Second Coming.

”Let me go!” Dex growled, his murderous gaze on Shultzon.

”Absolutely magnificent. I never thought I'd live long enough to actually see it.”

”See what?” Sloane asked. He put his hand to the back of Dex's neck, unable to help soothing him despite Dex's hissing and furious cries for his release. He'd never seen Dex like this. As if he weren't himself.

Shultzon addressed Sloane but kept his gaze on Dex. ”You marked him.”

”That's none of your G.o.dd.a.m.n business,” Sloane spat.

Shultzon smiled at Dex. ”Oh, Dexter. Look at you. The very first of your kind. You boys have made history.”

”What the h.e.l.l are you talking about?” Sloane growled.

”Congratulations, Sloane. Your boyfriend is the very first. A truly magnificent specimen.”

Sloane approached the table as Sparks marched up to it, slamming her hands on the surface. Shultzon barely blinked.

”You have five seconds to explain what in the h.e.l.l you're talking about.”

”The anomalies I mentioned. Those present in a select number of First Gens, such as Sloane. His name was at the top of the list, if you'll recall. He's one of a select few whose DNA possesses a mutation strong enough to alter that of a Human, providing the Human is equipped to handle the change. Sadly, not all are, leading to a slow, painful death.”

”How is that possible?”

”Through the mating bond. First Gens with this rare DNA infect their mates through their claws.”

It was like a punch to Sloane's gut. ”Infect?”

Shultzon turned his attention to Sloane. ”Well, yes. When you pierced Dex's flesh with your claws, you infected him with your mutation. Any Therian traits he exhibits will be akin to your cla.s.sification.”

Therian traits? ”What does that mean? What's going to happen to him?” Sloane demanded.

Shultzon shrugged. ”I don't know. He could s.h.i.+ft, he could become something in-between the two, or he could die. It all depends on how well Dex's body responds to your mutation. One thing is certain. He will die.” Shultzon looked down at Dex. ”Don't let him swallow his tongue.”

Sloane spun toward Dex, yelling at the operatives to do something when Dex's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he started having another seizure. Sparks yelled orders, and her operatives dispersed. Some secured the area while others carried Dex out. Sloane hurried after them when Shultzon called out to him.

”Sloane, they know now. They'll send someone to kill you both. Someone whose desire for your mate can easily be turned into deadly jealousy. Protect Dex with your life.”

There was so much Sloane wanted to know, but he had bigger worries right now. He ran after the operatives as they rushed Dex down the hall and through a set of white double doors. They laid him on a hospital bed, and Sloane paced the room, his hands in his hair as they strapped Dex down onto the bed.

”Oh G.o.d, please.” Sloane waited for them to finish before he ran over, feeling absolutely helpless. Operatives rushed in and out, along with doctors and medical equipment. Dex thrashed violently against the bed, and a medical operative pressed a b.u.t.ton to raise the bed so Dex was reclined rather than lying down. This was the worst one, and Sloane had tears in his eyes from watching Dex's back arch, his body lifting off the bed. His skin was crimson, his muscles straining, and sweat beaded his brow. He screamed, as if he were being torn apart from the inside out. They strapped Dex's head down and did everything they could so he wouldn't hurt himself. No one knew what was happening.

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