Shit. That question was a bit more calculated.

Before I could answer, Earl put a hand on Todd’s shoulder. “Todd’s brother is in a wheelchair. His legs were affected when he got polio as a child.”

Todd nodded. “We were stationed with my dad who was serving in the military in Japan. If you could change him, he could walk again.” His face looked hopeful.

Kai let out a deep breath. “I’m really sorry to hear about your brother. I’m sorry to hear about any human suffering. Werewolves have an intricate political system. It’s what sets us apart from vampires. We don’t change humans for sport.”

Todd glared at Kai. “I’m not asking you to change him for sport. I’m asking you to change his life. Give him a chance at walking! At a long and healthy life.”

Earl faced Todd down. “That’s not going to happen, son. Don’t ask again!”

Todd gave Kai one last long look and then stormed out, slamming the door.

“I’m sorry about that. He heard about the news and got excited.” Earl twisted his handle-bar mustache.

Kai nodded. “I’m sorry, too. Our peace with the human government is fragile. I can’t go changing every sick human. Most would die during the change, I’m sure you understand.”

Earl nodded. “Absolutely. I’m in agreement with you.”

Jeremy cleared his throat. “Vampires don’t get sick either, why doesn’t anyone want us to change them?”

Alek smiled. “Because no one wants to be a bloodsucker, kid,” he joked and we all laughed, easing the tension.

‘Kai, would changing a few sick humans help boost our image with them?’ I wondered again.

‘No, I have been having meetings with the president, the deputy secretary, the CIA. They all have one strong request. Don’t let the supernatural race overpower the humans. Right now they are in a strong position with their numbers and they want to keep it that way. They don’t even know about the witches. If we change one, it will spread like a wildfire. The government will take us out.’

I groaned. He was right. We had RAIDOS and Layla’s clan against us. We didn’t need any more enemies. Shit, this entire situation was spreading. I was human not too long ago. I understood the desire to want to be healthy, but this couldn’t be the future. Kai was right. If we changed too many, the government would rise up in anger. If too many died during the change, the humans would retaliate. It was a damn shitty situation to be in.

“So, what’s the next step? My men are hungry to take out this vampire queen and all of her drug runners,” Earl asked.

Kai glanced sidelong at me. “Layla may not take the bait now that she has a bag of Aurora’s blood. We should think of another plan.”

I rolled my eyes. “Kai, it’s still a good plan. Of course she will still want me. That blood bag will run out soon.”

Kai glared at me. “Hear me out. Kat called to thank us for finding Murphy and said there was some retaliation on her pack from our little stunt at the border a few months ago.”

Yeah, I could imagine there was. We hijacked three busloads full of heroin and sent them up into flames.

“She said Murphy has been able to fly across the border and get more information. I say we take some of our guys, some of the militia, and go back to the border. Team up with Kat’s pack and see if we can’t stir up trouble and coax Layla out. If we stop her drugs, they will take notice.”

Alek had been listening quietly the entire time. “You have no idea how deep the queen’s pockets are,” he commented.

Why didn’t he say her name?

“So, she’s rich. Big deal,” Earl said.

Alek grinned. “Kai’s rich. Hollywood actresses are rich. Layla is beyond rich. Her wealth can buy anything. She is worth billions. She has her hand in politics, cosmetics, drugs, land development, prostitution, you name it. She can buy humans, she can buy favors, she can buy anything you can’t.”

For the first time, doubt crept into my mind. I liked thinking of Layla when she was just some vampire bitch bent on making babies for a little power.

Alek seemed to be in a sharing mood so I decided to ask him the one question that had been bothering me. “Why. Why does she even want to make a baby? She would be a horrible mother.”

Alek laughed and folded his hands, giving me a look. “Aurora, when you become a vampire there are a few things that you are told that will never change. You will need to survive off of blood. You do not age. You will live forever unless killed a certain way and …”

I held his gaze. “You can’t have children.”

He pointed at me. “Yes! So imagine what the millions of vampires around the world will think when the North American vampire queen falls pregnant with a healthy child. When she bottles the cure for infertility and offers to ship it overnight.”

Kai growled. “She will be the most powerful and the richest vampire in the world.”

Alek nodded. “Yes, and she will reign queen over all of them. She will control all of the vampire assets in every country. She will be given favors and power beyond her wildest dreams.”

Fur began to ripple on my arms as I slammed my fist down on the table. “No!” I shouted and Kai looked at me with shock.

Kai frowned. “Your eyes are green.”

‘Good. Let the Devi come forward and kill her,’ I told Kai and realized that slowly the Devi was taking control.