She took a shaky breath and went on, “The serum is doing exactly what you want it to do, Dr. Burrelli. It is accelerating your aging process and ensuring that your aged cells don't renew themselves.”
Burrelli screeched incoherently at Lisa and made a feeble attempt to throw a rock at her. Graham pushed Lisa behind him and stood directly in front of Burrelli. Burrelli gurgled and spat out a mouthful of his teeth and blood. He wasn't just aging. He was dying and decaying on the spot.
Burrelli pointed a gnarled finger at Lisa and drew his last rattling breath. Winston, Nick and Graham stood in a circle around Burrelli's body in silence.
Graham turned to the Sheriff and said, “We'll bury the bodies of those tiger mercenaries. But Dr. Burrelli...”
“Leave his body here,” Winston said. “I will make sure his body is found.”
“An autopsy will be conducted,” Lisa said.
“Yes, and they will discover the serum in his body,” Winston answered grimly. “They'll assume that Dr. Burrelli came out to the woods to test the serum on himself. His death can be recorded as a misadventure or an accident.”
Lisa nodded. “They can see for themselves the full devastating effect of the serum. Hopefully it will put a stop to all this ridiculous, inhumane political talk.” She shook her head. “How could they even think of injecting shifters with this serum?” she whispered.
Quickly and quietly, they did what they had to do. The bodies of the tigers were buried in another part of the woods, and the empty syringe was removed from the scene.
Everyone was sombre and silent. As they trekked out of the forest, Graham gripped Lisa's clammy hand tightly and glanced over his shoulder.
He finally understood why Lisa was so determined to find a way to reverse the effects of the serum she'd created. The serum in its original form was a terrible, terrible thing. It was intended to be used on shifters, but it could easily be used as a deadly weapon or a torture tool.
Lisa wanted to make sure that if ever someone managed to successfully re-create her serum in future, the effects could be reversed. She wanted to come up with an antidote to her own serum.
Graham put his arm around Lisa's shoulder. She was still trembling and she leaned into his embrace immediately. “You saved me,” she whispered.
“I heard you,” he said. “I felt your pain, your fear...”
“I wasn't afraid,” Lisa answered.
When he shot her a look, she smiled. “I knew you'd come for me.”
“I will guard you with my life, Lisa,” he growled. “I should have been more careful, more alert. I should have known that Burrelli...”
“Burrelli did what he had to do,” Lisa said as she walked with him towards the Sheriff's cruiser which was parked at the side of the highway. “Burrelli was paid an exorbitant sum. He had to deliver the serum, or me, to his political paymasters.”
“You have some cuts and bruises,” Winston told Lisa as he opened the car door for her. “I'll drive you to the hospital...”
Lisa's eyes rounded and she slapped her forehead. “No, no! Not the hospital! The college! I need to get to Shadow Point College! Before the office closes for the day.”
Winston and Nick frowned at her in confusion. “What do you need to do at the college so urgently?”
“I need to grab an application form!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Graham parked his car in front of Shadow Point College and strolled towards the main college building. A group of students hurried past him, and two female students giggled and whispered frenziedly to each other after turning to give him a second look.
Someone walked right into him and a large bag dropped to the floor, spilling its contents. Pens, notebooks, sweet wrappers, chocolate bars and some colorful wands scattered across the floor. “Oops, sorry!”
Graham turned and saw Ne-ma scrambling after her wands which were rolling merrily away from her. Gramma was stuffing the rest of the things into the bag and grumbling, “We're going to be late...”
Graham hurried to help Gramma and Ne-ma retrieve their things. “Hey, Gramma, what are you and Ne-ma doing here at the college?” he asked as he picked up the pens and handed them back to Gramma.
Ne-ma came running up clutching her wands in her fist. “We're college students!” Ne-ma beamed proudly.
“Yup! We signed up for the series of lectures on 'The Science of Magic',” Gramma announced.
“No, no, it's 'The Magic of Science',” Ne-ma corrected.
Gramma frowned. “Are you sure, Neveah? I'm pretty sure...”
“I know I'm right,” Ne-ma huffed. “Come on now, we don't want to be late for our very first lecture! The lecture hall will be super crowded! Lisa's lectures are always very popular and she said there will be a guest lecturer tonight. He's a wizard...”
“Wait!” Graham started. “Lisa has a night class tonight?”
Gramma and Ne-ma glanced at each other and nodded. “Didn't she tell you?” Gramma asked.
Graham was about to reply when he saw Lisa rushing towards them. “Graham!” She skidded to a stop in front of him.
“I know, you have a night class tonight,” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “It's okay. I'll wait for you in the canteen...”
“I won't be long,” Lisa said, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. She grinned at Gramma and Ne-ma. “Come along! The lecture's about to start!”
The three women hurried off and Graham strolled to the canteen to get a cup of coffee. He sat at a corner table and observed the vibrant college community. It was evening now, but there were many night classes being held at Shadow Point College. The night classes catered mainly to the vampire population but many mature students attended the night classes after work as well. Shadow Point College was a small, new college but it was fast making a name for itself. Lisa was the deputy head of the science department, and her research papers had helped put Shadow Point College on the map. The science department was one of the fastest growing departments in the college. The serum that Lisa and her colleagues perfected were now widely used in hospitals to help speed up the recovery of patients.
He was so proud of her. Lisa was doing what she loved, and she was so happy. She was still a workaholic and she was passionate and zealous about her work. Dr. Lisa Hatfield was the pride of Shadow Point. Lisa insisted on using her married name at work. “I'm Mrs and Dr. Hatfield,” she said proudly.
Graham watched the lights flicker on across the campus grounds as the sunlight faded. Students were still huddled around the tables in the canteen. Some tutors joined their students in their animated discussions and laughter and excited voices filled the air.
Graham stretched out his long legs and realized that he had forgotten to take off his work vest. He had come straight from work to pick Lisa up for dinner. They always had dinner out on Fridays.
“Graham!”
Graham put down his coffee cup at the sound of Lisa's voice. Lisa rushed up to him, with a bunch of papers under her arm. “Shall we go?” she asked breathlessly.
“Go?”
“Uh-huh. Aren't we going for dinner?” Lisa blinked at him. “It is Friday, isn't it?”
“Yes, but I thought you have a lecture...”
“Nah. I just have to introduce the guest lecturer. Dr. Ronswald Abracadam is a great wizard and scientist. The lecture hall is full to overflowing!” Lisa smiled. “The students are in good hands. So am I!” She linked her arm through his.
Graham grinned and took her papers from her. “Student papers?”
“I'll grade them tonight. But now, I'm on a date with my husband.” She giggled happily and whispered, “I always look forward to our dinner dates.”
“Me too.” He pulled her close and kissed her. “And after dinner, we'll be conducting an extremely physical experiment. In bed.”
Lisa punched him on the arm. “Shh! My students have super hearing. Thes
e young shifters...” A group of students greeted her and chuckled.
She greeted her students primly and glared at Graham. “Sorry, Dr. Hatfield,” he said, not looking sorry at all.
Graham opened the car door for her and hurried to the driver's side. Lisa was fumbling with her waist pouch when he started the engine. She was still using her old, hardy waist pouch. Thankfully, it no longer held any sinister serums and syringes. Just her wallet, phone, pen and some notebooks.
Lisa caught him staring at her. She glanced down at her grubby, functional pouch and shrugged. “A waist pouch is not very fashionable, but it's way more convenient than a handbag.” She grinned at him and said, “I'm such a geek, right?”
“You're my geek,” he said, pulling her in for a kiss. “And geeks are hot!”
* * * * *
End
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
Facebook:
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Blog:
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Guardian Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (BRIDES fur BEARS Book 7) Page 8