Rabid by Jami Lynn Saunders Page B

weapon was lying there. “But you’ll need that weapon for yourself,” he said.
    â€œI’m my own weapon now, Dr. Tanner.” Abby got up from the wheelchair and took the weapon in hand. She twisted the bottom of the handle, and the end cap sprang loose, revealing a small compartment within the shaft. She held an open palm under it and shook it as if she were emptying some invisible contents.
    â€œI’m emptying the DNA. A few strands of my hair. I discovered its secret when I catalogued it at the Hunter Library. Alexander could never get it to work. I often wondered why the man he bought it from never told him how to use it. Alex probably just killed the man and took it without ever finding out how it worked. I studied it until I figured it out. It’s actually pretty simple.” She looked at the doctor. “I’ll need some scissors.”
    He retrieved a pair from his bag and handed them to her.
    â€œI need you, too, doc. Bend your head toward me.”
    He did, and she cut a few strands of his hair. She dropped them into Excalibur’s handle and put the cap back on. Then she handed the weapon to the doctor. “Extend it.”
    The doctor flicked Excalibur the way he’d seen Abby do it. The silver metal stem shot out and then lit up with blue sparks. He flicked it back, and the cylindrical blade retracted. He gave Abby a big grin. “This will definitely do.”
    â€œI used the same technology to build the fire saw.”
    â€œThanks, Abby.”
    â€œYou’re welcome, Dr. Tanner.”
    â€œThere’s one more thing,” the doctor said. “I’d like you both to call me Jack. After all we’ve been through together, I’d like to drop the formality.”
    Abby was about to respond when the color drained from her face, and she looked as if she might faint. Salvatore helped her back to the wheelchair.”
    â€œLet’s try to get a few hours of sleep,” the doctor said. “I’ll take first watch.”
    Salvatore, who had fallen asleep next to Abby, was the first to be awakened by the moans and the bright lights shimmering in the hallway. He rose from the hospital bed and went to the doorway to look out. The light was emanating from the room in which they had left Aiden’s body. Jack Tanner appeared from another room, and he and Salvatore went to investigate. Inside the room, Aiden was sitting up, clenching his hand. His sun ring was shooting light into every corner of the room.
    Jack and Salvatore froze. Aiden opened his eyes and looked at them. He opened his mouth and tried to speak, rasped out something barely intelligible.
    â€œI think he’s asking for water,” Jack said.
    Salvatore turned away to get some and saw Abby standing there, leaning on a cane. “Is he alive?” she whispered.
    Jack didn’t yet have an answer.
    Salvatore returned with a can of water and joined Jack and Abby inside the room. Aiden closed his eyes and whispered something. This time they all heard what he said. Pippa .
    Aiden’s face was changing. His features morphed from werecat to something that might have been a madman’s drawing of an ancient dragon. His human features returned, and he fell back against the cot.
    Jack went to him and checked his pulse. “He’s cold but obviously alive.”
    Jack lifted Aiden’s head, and Salvatore brought the can of water to his lips. Aiden sipped slowly, struggling to swallow. After a few sips, the doctor lowered his head back down.
    â€œIt has to be the bite from these reptile creatures,” Salvatore whispered.
    â€œMore likely a result from the bite and the blood transfusion combined,” Jack said. “He may be the only one of his kind.”
    â€œHis body must have gone into some sort of quick hibernation,” Abby said. “He didn’t die.”
    She put her hand on Aiden’s arm, the one that had lost its hand. “He feels as if