The Lair Read Online Free Page B

signs, any fever at all—you’ve got to take me out right away, okay?”
    “What?” McKenna gaped.
    “Lily—” Carter took a step toward her, but she held out a hand to stop him.
    “You know I’m right. So we might as well get it all out on the table.”
    McKenna wobbled to her feet. “What are you guys talking about?”
    Lily opened her mouth, but couldn’t make herself say it aloud. Instead she turned back to the bobbleheads, trusting Carter to fill in the blanks for McKenna.
    “She’s talking about the regenerative gene. There’s some rare gene that only about one to two percent of the population has. If you have that gene and you’re exposed to the Tick virus, you turn into a Tick.”
    “Yeah, I know that. Just because I was a cheerleader in the Before doesn’t mean I didn’t watch the news.”
    “According to Sebastian, when Genexome Corporation did the research that created the Tick virus, they started with Roberto’s genes, with his DNA. They created a virus that mimicked some of the characteristics of the vampire virus. Roberto was trying to create an army of monsters that he could control. So he made a virus that also affected the victims’ mental capabilities and he did away with the territorial thing all vampires have going for them, but he still started with the same gene.”
    “So?” she asked.
    “So, if Mel didn’t have the regenerative gene, when Sebastian fed off her she would have just died. Instead she turned into a vampire. That means she has the gene. And Lily and Mel are identical twins. Genetically identical. So she has it, too.”
    “Oh.”
    For a second, no one seemed to even breathe. Finally Lily gave the bobblehead one last nudge and turned around. No superhero was going to save her. “So there it is. That’s why it’s a good idea for me to be held in quarantine. And probably why you guys should stay in a separate room.”
    Damn, she should have thought of that before now. She made a move toward the door to go talk to Merc, but Carter stepped in her way.
    “No. Don’t go borrowing trouble. We know you weren’t exposed.”
    “No, we—”
    “Yes. We know. I was with you the whole time. You weren’t bitten. Besides, it took us two days to drive here. I’ve been watching for symptoms that whole time and haven’t seen any. And I know you haven’t, either.”
    “How do you know—”
    “The way you kept asking McKenna if she was cold, too? And the way you kept holding my hand to your cheek? You’ve been watching for signs of a fever. Not very subtly, either.” He brought his hand up to her face and cupped her jaw. His other hand slipped to her waist. For just a moment, her heart pounded with something other than fear. “You’re fine. Don’t worry.”
    The anguish in his voice as he said it matched the way she felt. Then he dropped his forehead to hers, and she had to close her eyes against her tears. It was all she could do not to press her body against his and just lose herself in his touch. But it seemed wrong under the circumstances with McKenna there. Especially since McKenna had just lost Joe. So instead, Lily swallowed hard and stepped back. Carter trailed his fingers down her arm and clasped her hand.
    “Did you really think I hadn’t noticed?” he asked.
    Lily gave a shrug. “You’re the one who’s always talking about how smart I am. I guess I just hoped I’d figured it out before you. I didn’t want to freak anyone out unless—” She couldn’t even bring herself to say it.
    “Well, we don’t have to worry about that,” he said brusquely. “You’re fine.”
    Okay, time to get past her squeamishness. She didn’t want to say it aloud, but she couldn’t afford not to say it, either. “Look, about that. If something does happen—”
    “Nothing’s going to happen. We’re here now. We’re safe. That’s not something we have to worry about.”
    “Sure. Right now. But if I am exposed, I want you to promise me—”
    “It’s not ever