Claiming Her Beasts (Claiming Her Beasts #1) - Dia Cole Page 0,41
This so-called Z-virus reportedly has no relation to the canine flu.”
“Z-virus,” I scoffed. “That’s not even original.”
“Shh,” Lee hissed.
The screen flashed to a national press conference in Washington, where a silver-haired woman dressed in a navy suit with shoulder pads as big as her fists stood at a podium.
“At this time, we have not yet determined the origins of the Z-virus. What we do know is that it is a fatal, highly communicable, blood-borne virus. Signs of infection include the presence of dark purple or black veins that spread across the body. Current antiviral medications are proving ineffective in stopping the virus. However, our scientists are already working on a cure.”
“How do you address reports that the Z-virus turns people into zombies?” shouted one of the reporters in the audience.
“Preposterous,” replied the woman with a sneer. “In rare incidents, the Z-virus can cause brain damage leading to abnormal behaviors like we see with rabies.”
I rolled my eyes. Typical. In every zombie movie, the people in charge never admitted the truth until it chewed their faces off.
Lee clenched her hands into fists. “Rabies, my ass.”
Another reporter asked, “What about the purported link between the canine flu vaccination and the Z-virus?”
The woman held up her perfectly manicured hands. “Let me be clear, there’s no known link between the vaccine and the Z-virus. We encourage everyone to continue receiving their vaccines. We do, however, ask that those who’ve already had a documented case of the canine flu hold off on getting vaccinated for now.”
Lee turned to look at me. “Did you get the vaccine?”
I shook my head. Hmm. I thought I might have imagined a more creative origin story for the zombie apocalypse. Like maybe a genetically engineered strain of mutant mosquito or a whacked out new food additive.
She let out a relieved breath. “Good. Cami got her vaccination yesterday…”
The television screen switched back to the local reporter. “Health officials are advising residents to stay in their homes until more information becomes available. Saguaro Valley police will be enforcing curfew—”
“We have to get Eden,” Lee blurted out. Her gaze flickered to the clock on Eden’s nightstand. “Her arraignment starts at eight thirty. That’s in fifteen minutes.”
I yawned. “Have fun with that. I’m going to get some shuteye.” I walked back to my room.
“What the hell?” Lee scrambled after me. “We have to get Eden.”
“You get her. I’m tripping and need to sleep it off.”
She grabbed my arm. “You’re not tripping. This is really happening.”
“Sure,” I scoffed, pulling away.
She followed me into my room. “Our friends are dead.”
“No. They aren’t.” Ronnie was probably still passed out on the living room floor with Cami. Assuming I didn’t hallucinate them getting together. Actually, the more I thought about it, the more I was sure I only imagined them hooking up. No way would Cami slum it with Ronnie.
Lee shook her head, sending waves of her dark hair tumbling over her shoulders. “I don’t believe this.”
“That makes two of us.” I sat down a little too hard on my waterbed. “If I wasn’t tripping, I’d never tell you I’ve been in love with you for years.”
She took a step back. “Reed, I—”
“I know, I know. You love me like a brother. Even my hallucination has to beat me over the head with the truth.”
“This isn’t a hallucination, and it isn’t a joke. I thought it was a joke yesterday.”
I scrubbed my face with my hands. “You expect me to believe that you let me go down on you last night.” I did remember that part.
“Yes,” she said, flushing.
“There’s no way.”
“It happened.” She moved, so she was standing right in front of me. So close that I got a lungful of her sweet vanilla scent. “And you know what? I liked it. A lot. And part of me can’t wait for you to do it again.”
My dick turned into a rock while my mouth went dry.
“But there’s another part of me that’s terrified about what that means, because I can’t let myself care about you… about anyone that way.”
“Why?” I asked softly.
Her eyes shadowed with memories I could only guess at.
“Is it because of what happened with your parents?”
She nodded.
“I’d never hurt you. You know that.”
She rubbed her hand over her chest, drawing my gaze to the outline of her nipple pressed against the fabric.
Without thinking, I reached my hand out and cupped her breast. It sure as hell felt real.
She let out a breathy moan.
I brushed her nipple with my thumb, all the while waiting for her