“Werewolves are abominations,” he snapped.
Cricket shrugged. “Whatever.” She furrowed her brow. “Did you at least smuggle in a tracking device?”
“All humans were strip searched and sniffed for any devices before boarding the plane. I couldn’t even risk bringing one aboard treated with the scent masking solution on it.” He snorted. “They removed the tracking device from your suitcase.”
So I noticed. “It would have been helpful, if you’d confided in us about your mission,” she snarked.
“There is no us, bitch.”
Okay, so he hates werewolves, I get it. “Don’t you think we should get along until the end? Robert?”
He pressed a fist to his forehead. “Fuck, why not?”
“Tell me you guys created a vaccine?”
“Yes, but not for Variant Midgard.” He shrugged. “I was vaccinated against Variant Y, our weaponized Marburg virus, but I doubt it’ll offer protection.”
“Well, that sucks.”
“Wolfstrom must be stopped.”
“We agree. Just the how is the problem.” She glanced around. “I’m open to any ideas no matter how far out of the box or cage.”
They searched for weaknesses in the escape-proof cell. None. He pounded his fists on the walls until they bled. He shouted, “You fucking lycans will serve humans.”
But we do, at least indirectly. Had the virus begun to affect his mind? “Actually, Team Wolfstrom plans to serve mankind with a side of hot sauce.” She wrinkled her nose. The smell of cooked human meat nauseated her. How soon before Slade ate human flesh?
Robert glowered at her with bloodshot eyes and kicked the door.
In frustration, Cricket howled. Would Slade hear her? She pressed her cheek against the glass. “Slade.”
Robert abruptly ended his tirade and turned to her. “By now, your hero doesn’t remember anything about you or the LIA.”
“You think the new formula will work on Slade?”
“Henrik upped the dose and it finally worked on the Siberian werewolf.”
“Maybe he was not as strong a wolf as Slade.” She hoped.
“Nikolay was perhaps even stronger, but it worked. I observed him. He thinks he’s lived here most of his later life.”
Who’s Nikolay? Was he another mob werewolf that had escaped their radar? “Slade’s wolf will fight the drug.” He must.
“If Slade’s not careful, he’ll end up reverting to wolf form with no memory of ever being human.”
Cricket sighed dejectedly. “Werewolf lobotomy.”
“If the new drug doesn’t work, they’ll kill him. Just like they did with the omegas. Like they will with you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Geez, that’s comforting.”
“I hope you have a chance to stop them.”
“Good to know you have a soft spot for some humanity.”
He scoffed. “Sheep. Which is why my father will have werewolves destroyed. Better The Keep rather than werewolves ruling humans.”
“I like your touchy feely approach to your kind.”