Mischief in a Fur Coat by Sloane Meyers Page B

alive. He’d heard stories on the news of numerous people who had died within twenty-four hours of contracting the flu. But his body seemed determined to fight it, even though he knew it would be a losing battle in the end. Perhaps he was lasting longer because he was such a big, strong man. But it didn’t matter. His body’s valiant fight was only delaying the inevitable.
    Drew glanced around the room again, disappointed to see that he was alone. He knew Hope couldn’t possibly stay in the room twenty-four seven. She needed a break now and then, too, and this was the first time he’d woken up and found her gone. Still, he would have liked to see her beautiful face. She was so perfect.
    He had been immensely relieved when he realized that Hope was somehow immune to the flu. He’d only seen one news report discussing a rumor that someone in Texas had claimed to be immune, but that report had been unverified. It seemed that the flu was as universally deadly as a bullet to the chest. Hope had somehow escaped the bullet.
    Drew tried to lift his arm, but the effort this simple movement required made it nearly impossible. His body was shutting down, saving all of its strength for merely surviving. Not that it mattered. Even the task of breathing would be too difficult before long. Drew stared up at the ceiling, and thought about his parents. No one could get in touch with them right now, because they were hiding out in underground Alaskan caverns, trying to escape the massive persecution of shifters that had been going on. Drew only hoped that their complete isolation had made it possible for them to escape the flu.
    Drew felt cold, even though he was pretty sure he had a fever. A creeping sense of dread washed over him, as he realized that death was starting to take hold. Cold, dark death was coming for him. He shivered, then winced in pain as the shiver irritated his aching muscles. This was it. His whole life had come to this. Dying, alone and weak in an isolated cabin. He hadn’t made much of a mark on the world. He didn’t even have a child to carry on his name. His legacy ended with him, here in this small room.
    Drew closed his eyes, wishing that at least Hope would show up so he could see her one last time. As if his thoughts had power, the door to his room suddenly burst open. He opened his eyes to see Hope come running in, and a weak smile played at the corner of his lips. But his smile soon faded as he saw that Hope wasn’t alone. Jack, Juno, and Silver were all crowding into the room as well. Drew felt panic seizing him. What were they doing here? Didn’t they know how contagious this flu was? They were all going to catch it and die!
    “No, no, no!” Drew screamed out. But he was too weak to truly scream, and his attempts at a scream came out sounding like painful coughs.
    “Shhh,” Hope said, coming over to sit by his face, stroking his forehead with her hands. “Everything is going to be all right. We found a way to save you.”
    Drew tried to talk again. To tell her to make the others leave. They were out of their minds. There was no cure. There was nothing they could do for him, and they were going to contract the flu by being in this room. But the more he tried to speak, the more he found how truly weak his body was. He couldn’t get coherent words to come out. He couldn’t raise his arm to protest. All he could do was lie there weakly as Jack’s face came squarely into his field of vision.
    “Hey, buddy,” Jack said. “We’re going to take care of you. Let me explain how.”
    But Drew couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. He couldn’t focus on Jack’s face, much less his words. Everything started spinning, the room going in circles faster and faster until everything went black.
     
    * * *
     
    Drew woke with a start, his eyes flying open and his heart pounding as though he’d been running from a tiger. Once again, he was surprised to find himself still alive. But, this time, he was