Page 49 of Stripe Theory

Jewel Kedi stepped forward, positioning herself near Alora in a gesture that spoke volumes about how their relationship had evolved. “We’ll increase security protocols immediately.”

A sudden spike in Sierra’s vitals cut through the tension. Alora rushed to the medical bed where Sierra thrashed against the restraints, her face contorted in pain.

“It’s stronger,” Sierra gasped, “when I fight it... when I try to shift...”

“Hold on.” Alora’s mind raced through possibilities as she adjusted medications. “Jewel, could you try...”

The older woman was already there, pressing her hands to specific points on Sierra’s shoulders. “Like this?”

“Yes!” Alora watched the readings stabilize. “The traditional pressure points – they’re affecting the molecular binding rates. Maya, are you seeing this?”

“Perfectly synchronized,” Maya confirmed, highlighting new data streams. “The ancient practices are actually modifying how the virus interacts with shifter DNA.”

Jewel’s eyes lit with understanding. “Your approach to treatment... it mirrors our oldest healing traditions, but on a molecular level.”

THIRTY-NINE

Working together, they stabilized Sierra’s condition. Alora felt a surge of hope as human science and shifter wisdom merged into something new, something powerful.

“We need to document everything,” she said, reaching for fresh sample vials. “If we can understand how the traditional methods affect viral behavior...”

“Alora.” Maya’s voice cut through her scientific excitement. “You need to see this.”

The security feeds showed a disturbing pattern. Maya and Hunter had cross-referenced breach locations with viral mutation rates, creating a map that made Alora’s blood run cold.

“The attacks,” Maya explained, highlighting clusters, “each attack corresponds with a new virus variant.”

Rehan moved closer to the display, his presence warm against Alora’s back. “They’re circling inward,” he growled. “Getting closer to...”

“To us,” Alora finished. She felt his tension, the way his tiger pushed forward protectively. Under other circumstances, she might have found his possessiveness amusing. Right now, it was oddly comforting.

Time blurred as they worked to develop countermeasures. Alora lost track of how many coffee cups Maya pressed into her hands or how many times Rehan’s fingers brushed hers as they passed data tablets back and forth. The temporary antidote showed promise, but the complexity of shifter DNA meant each batch had to be specifically tailored.

“It’s not a cure,” she explained, watching the latest test results. “But it might buy us time to find one.”

“Time we desperately need,” Maya added, pointing to more security alerts. “Three more facilities just went dark.”

Sierra’s voice, weak but determined, drew their attention. “Don’t you dare hold back because of me. Use whatever you learn... help them all.”

Alora met Jewel’s eyes across the medical bed, seeing her own determination reflected there. Together, they refined the treatment protocol, merging centuries of shifter knowledge with cutting-edge science.

The medical lab had transformed into a fortified command center, screens showing security feeds from multiple facilities. Hunter coordinated with other shifter groups while Maya refined detection algorithms. Through it all, Alora felt Rehan’s growing agitation as reports placed the danger closer and closer to their location.

She was examining a new batch of treatment compounds when Maya’s sharp intake of breath made her look up.

“These communication patterns,” Maya said, voice tight. “They’re breaching security – and mapping our responses. But why?”

Alora moved to study the data, her scientist’s mind making connections she wished she couldn’t see. “The attacks are designed to stress shifters specifically because...”

“Because stress accelerates the virus,” Hunter finished. “They’re using us as a living laboratory.”

A ping from Hunter’s decryption program drew their attention to the main screen. As encrypted data resolved into clear text, Alora felt the air leave her lungs.

“They’re planning to trigger a mass shift response at the conference,” Hunter reported, scanning the message. “The stress levels would accelerate the virus beyond anything we’ve seen.”

Maya’s hand flew to her mouth as a list of priority targets appeared. Alora’s name sat at the top, highlighted in red.

The partial shift happened so fast, Alora barely registered it. One moment Rehan was beside her, the next his eyes blazed full amber, tiger stripes rippling beneath his skin as he growled, “Then we end this. Now.”

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