Page 122 of Demon Defeat: Part 2

“The supplies are good,” Molev said.“Thank you.I would like to leave with your next supply run and see the changes I’ve been hearing for myself.”

Waurlyn’s friendly expression didn’t waver, but she wasn’t as smooth with her body language.

“That upset you,” I said.“Why?”

“Molev is very important to our efforts.We’re close to a vaccine and can’t afford to lose him to a careless mistake until we have a vaccine that works.”

“How close?”Roni asked.

“We’ve run three trials.The first two were failures.The last one was promising and fought the infection for three days before succumbing.”

“Wait…when you say trials are you saying you’re testing on humans?”Katie asked.

Waurlyn looked suitably sad when she nodded.

“Human volunteers who, like you, understand the risk in exchange for the reward.Each volunteer who dies moves a family member to a more secure location.”

Roland swore under his breath and rubbed the back of his neck.

“If there was another way to ensure it worked, we would take it,” she said.“Do you understand why I can’t let you go?”

Molev’s lips quirked a little.

“You misunderstand.I am not asking for your permission to leave but to join the people I am training.”

She sighed.

“I can see why Tom had a hard time dealing with you.When you set your mind to something, there’s very little compromise.Very well, I would rather you were with our people so they can keep you safe than if you head out on your own.The next squad leaves in two days.I will inform them of the change.”

“I’m going too,” I said.

“Same,” Sid said.

“We’re all going,” Brandon said.“We stick together.”

“Very well,” she said.

Molev’s training was even more relentless the next day.He hounded us to move faster, use more force, and try harder.When he finally called it a night, I wasn’t the only one to sit down right where I stood.

“Tomorrow, we rest,” he called.“No training.”

I looked up at him outlined by the sunset.

“No training?”I asked.

He shook his head.“When we leave, I want you alert, not exhausted.”

“Thank God,” Steve said, lying on his back.“I’m sleeping until noon tomorrow.”

Molev grunted and held out his hand for me to stand.I did so reluctantly.

“Once we stop moving, things will tighten up,” Roni said.“Active rest tomorrow.No sleeping until noon.”

I wasn’t sure I still liked Roni, and something must have shown on my face because Molev chuckled.

“She is right,” he said, wrapping his fingers around the back of my neck.“I didn’t mean we should do nothing tomorrow.”

Everyone groaned.

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