Skin Walkers - King

by Susan Bliler

  “Promise!” Jenny demanded.

  “I promise.”

  “Alright.” Jenny hiked up a leg to take a seat on the end of Lilly’s bed. “So we discovered this particular phenomenon by accident. It involves the introduction of hormones and cells from a Walker into the affected party’s system.”

  Lilly stilled, “So you’re going to infect me with Walker blood?”

  “No. Yes. Well, sort of.” Jenny exhaled, “Look, it’d take me days to explain the science involved, but all you really need to know is that if we’re successful you’ll be able to carry your own children to full term and birth them as if your uterus were intact and perfectly functioning. I’m not sure how much Monroe told you, but we are immune to illness, and we’ll live longer than the average human. We can be injured, but minor injuries heal much more quickly in Walkers.” Jenny cleared her throat and sat a little straighter. “In the other instance, a woman who was unable to have children mated with a Walker. For some reason they actually conceived. I believe it was because his seed repaired the damage done to his mate. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the ability at that time to do any proper testing, but I do now.”

  Lilly’s mouth had dropped open and she openly gaped at Jenny. “Are you kidding?”

  Jenny shrugged, “What? It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “You want to inject me with Walker semen and it’s not that big of a deal?” Incredulity laced her tone. “Oh, my God. I can’t do this!”

  “Yes you can! It’s just artificial insemination…well, after the repair is made. We’ll seek out volunteer donors for conception. They won’t know what the samples are for.” She had no intention of seeking out donors; King would be the sole donor. All her clandestine testing on King and Lilly had proven that Lilly was in fact King’s mate.

  “You can’t do that!” Lilly frowned at her friend. “You can’t impregnate me with their child and not even tell them. It’s wrong Jenny, even as badly as I want children I couldn’t do that to a man. Even if I could what happens if he finds out and hits me with some custody suit?”

  “Lilly,” Jenny’s imploring tone turned soft, “he’ll never know. It’s a solely voluntary basis, just like a sperm bank. You do realize that this is your one and only chance. You can’t turn this down. You won’t get the opportunity again.”

  Lilly was embarrassed to ask, but she had to know, “What about disease?”

  Jenny grinned and grabbed Lilly’s free hand. “Walkers carry no disease; therefore it’s impossible for any to be passed on to you.”

  “And you’re sure it’s safe?”

  “Lilly, I love you like a sister. You know I wouldn’t put your ass on the line for something so trivial as experimentation.” The hypocrisy wasn’t lost on her. “I mean hell I’m all for adoption, but this can work.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, you need to decide. Do you want the chance at a child or don’t you? It’s up to you, Lill.”

  After a few tense moments, Lilly gave a reluctant grin and squeezed Jenny’s hand. “Let’s do it.”

  Jenny’s eyes twinkled with excitement, “Okay. First things first, you need to select a donor.”

  Lilly felt the blood drain from her face. “Uhhh, so soon? Don’t I need to be completely healed first?”

  A grin split Jenny’s features. “Not that kind of donor. We’re not looking for semen just yet. But we do need a Walker to supply the initial blood samples that we’ll use to initiate the process.” If she played her cards right, Jenny knew she could exclude King from the candidates and let Lilly believe she’d selected another Walker as the donor. If King and Lilly would eventually become mates, it wouldn’t be by any influence or discovery of Jenny’s. “What I’ll do is select several volunteers, and then you’ll choose whomever you feel suits your needs the best and we’ll proceed from there.”

  “Suits my needs the best?” Lilly’s brows knitted, “I thought you said we weren’t at the donor stage yet. I mean how much of an impact will the blood or DNA or whatever the donor is donating have on the children I hope to bear?”

  “Like I said, this is new ground so far as method of introduction into your system. I don’t want to take any chances. As a matter of fact it’d be preferable if you’d use the same donor for both the blood and semen samples.”

  “Method of introduction? You keep saying that. Speak English, Jen.”

  “The couple I told you about? They were a couple. They had sex. In your case, we’ll be using donor blood, DNA, sperm, and whatever else it is we need to make this work. No sex, just artificial insemination.”

  Lilly dropped her head into her one good hand, “Is this as humiliating as it feels?”

  “Come on, Lilly, it’s science. And it’s anonymous. The only one who’ll know the donors—or if I have my way—donor you’ve selected will be me and you.”

  Lilly peeked up from the hand that was shielding her face. “I thought you said they were volunteers. They don’t know what they’re volunteering for?”

  “They do, but you’ll select from the pool of candidates. None of them will know who you’ve selected.”

  “So how long to form this pool of candidates?”

  “Give me a few days. A week at least.” Jenny stood and pulled her e-tablet from where it sat on the table at the foot of the bed, “You’ll be coming in to see me frequently anyway, but let’s just make an appointment for next Friday?”

  “Fine.” Worry was once again seeping its way back into Lilly’s soul. “In the meantime, I’m being discharged today. Can you arrange for someone to drive me home?”

  Jenny dropped her eyes to study the e-tablet as she sucked on the end of her stylus.

  “Jenny?”

  The doctor’s eyes shot up, “Oh. Sorry. Um, your ride’s been arranged, and I brought you some clothes. They’re in the bathroom hanging up. So, you get changed and I’ll get you discharged.”

  Thirty minutes later and with the help of two nurses, Lilly was fully dressed and waiting on the edge of her bed when Jenny returned pushing a wheel chair. “Your chariot, m’lady.”

  The nurses and Jenny helped Lilly ease into the chair. As Jenny pushed Lilly out into the hall, Lilly felt the weight of disappointment settle over her as she discovered the hall was empty. She’d known that King had stood guard just outside her door during her recuperation. Whenever the door had opened or closed for the past few weeks, he’d locked eyes with her. His presence slowly became a source of comfort, so to find him absent now was disconcerting.

  Jenny’s voice carried a slight amusement, “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll see him before you leave.”

  “Who?” Lilly feigned ignorance.

  “You know who. That pain-in-the-ass King of yours.”

  Lilly shrugged one slim shoulder, “Oh. Him. He’s probably back at work or…something.”

  Jenny laughed lightly as she rolled Lilly through the narrow infirmary corridor. The wheelchair jerked to a halt when Bishop Arkinson entered the hall. Before Lilly could say ‘hi’, her chair was spun and she was rushed into the nearest exam room.

  “Uhh, what’s going on, Jen?”

  Face beet red, the Surgeon pulled open a drawer and began shuffling through it. “What? Oh! Nothing. I just forgot…something.”

  Lilly waited and watched as Jenny sifted through the drawer and after long minutes finally pulled a band-aid free.

  “What’s that for?”

  “Oh, I uh…cut myself earlier. I just remembered. Thought I’d better get it taken care of.”

  Lilly’s delicate brows hiked in disbelief. “Okay. You sure this doesn’t have anything to do with that new Sentry, Bishop Arkinson?”

  “What?” Jenny’s tone was suddenly brittle. “Who? No.” She shook her head too quickly before gripping the wheelchair and spinning Lilly back toward the door. “You ready to get out of here.”

  Lilly could only smirk as she was escorted out of the room, down the long corridor, then out the front door
of the Manor to a waiting black sedan with blacked-out windows.

  “Wow.” Lilly tried to shift in her seat as Jenny pulled to a halt at the back passenger side door. “I could have taken a taxi.”

  Jenny ignored her words, “Alright. You’ve got strict instructions. I want to see you again in two days, then two days after that. And don’t forget to come back on Friday.” She pulled a hand full of pre-signed appointment cards from her pocket and handed them to Lilly. “If you need anything, if anything seems off, feels weird, hurts too much, call me!”

  “Got it.” Lilly tried to get to her feet before Jenny locked the brakes on the wheel chair and raced around to help.

  “And none of that nonsense. If you need help, ask for it!”

  “Got it.”

  “Seriously, Lilly. Any set back could be detrimental to not just your health, but to our prospects for initiating your therapy. So take it easy.”

  Lilly sucked in a deep breath through her nose. “Okay, Jen. Now give me a hug, I can’t stand for too long.”

  Jenny leaned in and squeezed Lilly’s shoulders while whispering at her ear, “Call me.”

  Lilly pulled back, brushing her lips across her friend’s cheek. “Absolutely. And thank you for everything.” She couldn’t help the tears that flooded her eyes.

  Chapter 15

  How had this happened? He should have known.

  King had been on a mission to put some distance between himself and Lilly since the moment he realized what she was to him. He’d chastised himself to no end. A fool could have seen it coming. They’d spent so much time together, both so focused on Monroe that they’d scarcely realized how close they’d grown to each other. King’s life was about to change. Hell, it had already changed, and what was done couldn’t be undone.

  The first chance he’d gotten, King had snuck into the estate’s detention center and convinced Marko, the Sentry on duty, that Monroe had sent King to relieve him of his shift. Monroe had been remiss not to warn the other Sentries that King might attempt to murder the prisoner. When Marko left, King opened the cell and ripped RJ’s heart out of his chest with his bare hands. No questions asked, no answers given, no remorse, no second guessing, no mercy. He hadn’t even heard the man’s screams. The memory of Lilly’s sobs was what echoed through his mind, the scent of her agony and loss buried the scent of the prisoner’s fear.

  He’d killed for her and he’d enjoyed it, which should have been the dead give-away. He’d only ever killed by order of Monroe or his C.O.

  Now, he’d taken a life for Lilly. It was so easy he hadn’t even given it a second thought, and that’s what scared him. He didn’t like to kill. If he had to he would, but unlike many Walkers, he’d preferred other methods of resolution. But when Lilly had screamed through her tears that she wanted RJ’s heart, King knew the beasts that stirred within him would fetch it for her like obedient pups doing their master’s bidding. He was appalled at the ease with which she could control him. He shook his head, If she only knew.

  After his rest, King had returned to relieve RedKnife and deliver Lilly’s gift. RedKnif’es eyes had left the wall to dip to the heart clutched in King’s hand. He half expected the Indigenous Walker to stop him. Instead, RedKnife nodded once, as if in approval, before he’d turned to hold the door open for King.

  King had snuck quietly into her room and placed the heart in plain sight, so she’d see it when she woke. He had every intention of delivering the gift and leaving, but after setting the heart on a table and turning to leave something stopped him. There was no noise, no call. Lilly was sound asleep, but even as he turned back and approached her helpless form, he couldn’t help but feel compelled to stay with her. King knew what it was. The damn animalistic nature of his was claiming what it wanted. The affliction would hit soon. Monroe had spoken of it, how it had hit his parents and other Walkers who eventually mated. It was supposedly instigated with a sign from one’s halo followed by intense pain for the male. He certainly wasn’t looking forward to the pain, but he’d endure it for Lilly. It endure it a thousand times over.

  King had forced the beasts back and strode determinedly from the room. He’d needed space. He had hoped some distance from her would ease what was happening, placate the beasts that struggled in turn to break free and claim what they knew was theirs. Distance from her hadn’t worked. It only made the creatures within him more restless, more angry. They wanted to be near her, see her, smell her, and protect her.

  When Jenny had contacted Monroe to let him know that she was releasing Lilly, she’d contacted King as well. Everyone knew. The other Walkers could sense it. They could smell the claiming that hung over King like a thick heavy cloak, and as much as he wanted to, King simply couldn’t shake the desire to see her.

  ***

  Lilly settled into the back seat of the sedan trying to relax when her eyes locked on those staring at her from the rear-view mirror. If she lived a thousand lives she’d never forget those commanding green eyes. King. She tried to tamp down her welling emotions as she tore her eyes from his.

  Jenny waved goodbye as King put the car in drive and pulled away from the manor.

  Lilly shifted uncomfortably. She looked a mess and she knew it, but why it should matter was what bothered her. She had spent weeks working alongside King and wanting him, but now she felt indebted to him. No, indebted wasn’t the right word. She felt more, much more. She shook her head, trying to find the proper term for what it was that had her so uncomfortable around him all of a sudden. When he was near, she wanted him away and when he was away she wanted him near. I’m just grateful…appreciative. She was lying to herself, and wondered if King knew it too when she heard a soft snort come from the driver’s seat. Her eyes flashed to the rearview mirror, and King peeked up at her once before putting his eyes back on the road.

  Through her years at StoneCrow, Lilly had discovered countless things about what she had thought were werewolves. She had accepted the position as Monroe’s paralegal assuming that he was an attorney or that there was one employed on the estate. There wasn’t. Monroe was well educated and knew enough legal jargon to know what he wanted done and how he wanted it done, he just needed somebody smart enough to draft the pleadings and documents. That’s where Lilly came in. She was his right hand woman, his personal assistant. From picking up his dry cleaning to drafting Court Briefs, she was a perfect fit.

  During her first week of employment, Monroe had growled an unfriendly warning to her to let her know she was on a six day probationary period. “Six days to prove your competence, Ms. Worthington. No more, no less. I suggest you don’t get comfortable in your office.”

  She’d busted her ass for the first six days. If she didn’t have the answers he wanted, she chased them down. If she didn’t know how to fulfill a task, she figured it out. She’d relied more on her sheer competence and organizational skills in those first six days then she had in the past five years.

  She learned rather quickly though that appeasing Monroe was going to be the least of her worries. It didn’t take her more than two weeks to deduce that something strange was happening behind the friendly façade of StoneCrow Industries.

  Lilly’s eyes flicked back to the rearview mirror and caught King’s eyes pulling away. She cleared her throat and began tentatively, “I, uh…wanted to thank you for…”

  King tensed and kept his eyes on the road, “For killing in your name?”

  “No!” Lilly gasped, appalled at his misinterpretation. She didn’t know what to say or how to say it, so she reclined back in the seat and fought to keep her emotions under control. She didn’t need or want King trying to sniff her out. She’d been horrified when Jenny had told her they’d carried that ability. Her mind had flashed to the dozens of times she’d been highly aroused in King’s company. Monroe had to have scented it too. Now, the mere knowledge that he could scent her emotions had her squirming uncomfortably in her seat. Then her eyes caught sight of the tall hedgerow that separated Ston
eCrow Manor from the cabins that were still under construction, and slowly being erected, one by one behind the large manor. She turned slightly as the car passed the hedgerow. “Um, shouldn’t we be headed the other direction?”

  King glanced up at her in the mirror, but didn’t respond.

  “I don’t want to see anyone right now. I’m tired and I need to get home.”

  Still silence.

  Lilly frowned up at the rear view mirror. “Are you ignoring me for a reason?”

  He didn’t look up from his driving, “Crow wants you kept on the estate.”

  Lilly didn’t try to mask her anger. “I don’t care what Mr. StoneCrow wants.”

  King’s eyes met hers then in the mirror. “I want you on the estate.”

  Lilly took a deep breath in an attempt to control her temper. “I need to get home. I have bills to pay and…plants to water.” Plants to water! Yeah, real pressing issues!

  King’s lips cocked into a half smile. “You don’t have any plants and all your bills are paid automatically through your account. Crow has continued to pay your salary while you’ve been recuperating. Your bills are taken care of.”

  Lilly dropped her eyes and whispered angrily, “He didn’t have to do that.”

  “Yes, he did.” King growled in response. Then his eyes found hers again in the mirror. “Any other compelling reason you don’t want to stay on the estate?”

  Lilly blushed. “I don’t have anywhere to stay.”

  “It’s been taken care of.”

  She dropped back against the seat cushion in resignation. “Do I have any say at all?”

  King looked up to meet her eyes, “No.”

  Chapter 16

  As King eased the car to a halt in front of a small cabin, Lilly inched forward in her seat and reached for the door handle.

  “Don’t!” King commanded.

  Lilly’s finger’s stilled on the handle as her eyes flicked to the back of his head. She might take orders from Monroe for a living, but she didn’t take them from King. Her eyes shot back to the door and she reached for the handle again.