Page 29 of Stripe Theory (The Matchmaker’s Book Club #8)

TWENTY-EIGHT

T hrough the smoke strode a familiar figure that made Alora’s blood run cold. Damian Vexley, Leeta’s right hand, led a team of heavily armed mercenaries into the room. His expensive suit seemed chosen for maximum dramatic effect, and his smile held all the warmth of a shark’s.

“Don’t stop the party on my account.” His gaze locked onto Sierra. “I brought party favors.”

Rehan moved with liquid speed, positioning himself between Damian and the party guests. His focus zeroed in on Sierra, a growl rumbling deep in his chest. The sound vibrated through Alora’s bones.

“Get the others to safety,” Hunter barked to the security team. His own partial shift rippled beneath his skin as he coordinated evacuation routes.

Alora’s mind raced as she noticed the mercenaries’ movements. They weren’t attacking randomly. Each soldier carried what looked like modified weapons – sleek devices with glowing collection chambers.

“They’re taking samples,” she whispered to Maya, pulling her behind an overturned table. “Look at their targeting patterns. They’re focusing on specific people.”

Maya’s eyes narrowed. “The ones who’ve shown compatibility signs.”

Understanding hit Alora like a punch. “They’re harvesting genetic material from shifters with human connections.” Her gaze snapped to Sierra. “That’s why he’s here – Sierra is his perfect test subject. He’s using her to study the virus’s progression.”

Damian’s voice cut through the chaos. “I see you’ve recovered nicely, darling.” His words dripped false concern as he addressed Sierra. “The virus data from your case was fascinating. Though I must say, the accelerated strain is showing even more promising results.”

Sierra’s face went white. The younger shifters around her growled, instinctively moving to shield her.

“You son of a—” Hunter started forward, but Rehan’s arm blocked him.

“Protect,” Rehan ordered, his voice deepening with his partial shift.

Alora’s mind cataloged available resources. The emergency kit behind the snack table contained basic first aid supplies and some chemical compounds. The storage room held a variety of lab equipment. And the liquid nitrogen they used for cell preservation...

Her thoughts raced through possible combinations. Simple reactions, but effective if used right.

“Cover me,” she murmured to Maya. “I have an idea.”

Alora slipped toward the emergency supplies as the first shots rang out. The mercenaries’ weapons fired some kind of energy pulse that left shifters staggering, disoriented but alive. Not meant to kill then – meant to collect.

“Sierra!” she called out. “Get the younger ones to the secure wing. Maya, help her!”

Despite her weakened condition, Sierra began herding the younger shifters toward safety. Maya flanked her. But Alora noticed Sierra’s increasing pallor, the slight tremor in her hands.

Time to create a diversion. Alora’s hands moved swiftly, mixing chemicals with practiced efficiency. Liquid nitrogen would create a dense fog on its own, but add the right catalyst...

“Duck!” she yelled, hurling her first creation.

The smoke bomb erupted in a spectacular hazy cloud. Mercenaries stumbled, their targeting systems confused by the dense vapor. Through the chaos, she glimpsed Hunter taking advantage of their confusion by disabling two soldiers with brutal efficiency.

“That’s my girl!” Maya’s voice carried from somewhere in the smoke. “Blind the bastards!”

A warm presence materialized at Alora’s back – Rehan, moving in perfect sync with her improvisations. They hadn’t worked together long, but something clicked into place as they coordinated their movements. His strength cleared paths while her chemical concoctions created strategic mayhem.

“My lab,” she said, mind racing ahead. “The EMP device we’ve been testing. If I can modify it to overload their systems?—”

“It won’t stop them all.” His growl carried notes of both warning and approval.

“No.” She flashed him a fierce grin. “But it’ll make them fight fair.”

They fought their way toward her lab, Rehan’s enhanced reflexes complementing her knowledge of the facility’s layout. Through the secure room’s comm system, Sierra’s labored breathing echoed as she helped maintain the defenses.

A shot grazed Alora’s shoulder, burning like liquid fire. She stumbled, but Rehan steadied her without breaking stride. His eyes flashed dangerously at the scent of her blood.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “Focus on?—”

“Well, isn’t this touching.” Damian’s voice dripped with mockery. He stood between them and the lab entrance, weapon raised. “The mighty Rehan Kedi, protecting his human pet.” His cold smile widened. “You always did have a weakness for strays, didn’t you? First Sierra, now this...scientist.”

The way he said scientist made it sound like a slur.

“She’s not—” Rehan’s growl cut off as Damian fired.

Alora dove right as Rehan leaped left, the energy pulse sizzling between them. Her injured shoulder screamed in protest as she rolled behind an overturned table. Through the smoke, she glimpsed Maya and Hunter circling to flank Damian’s position.

Blood trickled down her arm, but her mind remained clear. Focus. Think. The EMP device sat tantalizingly close on her workbench. If she could just reach it...

A cry from the secure room’s comm system made her blood freeze. Sierra’s voice, tight with pain: “Something’s wrong. The virus?—”

The young shifter she’d been protecting called out in panic: “She collapsed! Someone help!”

Damian’s smile turned cruel. “Ah yes, the accelerated strain. Amazing how stress amplifies its effects. The data we collected from her first infection proved invaluable in development.”

Rage burned through Alora’s scientific detachment. This man had used Sierra – brilliant, kind Sierra – as a test subject. Had deliberately infected her to study the results.

Pure instinct made her grab the nearest beaker. The resulting chemical reaction wasn’t exactly scientific genius – but sometimes simple solutions worked best. The mixture hit Damian’s feet and burst into a smoking mess of foam and fumes.

Damian stumbled back, cursing as the acidic foam ate through his shoes. Hunter and Maya struck from opposite sides, their coordinated attack driving him away from the lab entrance.

“Now!” Hunter shouted.

Alora sprinted for her workbench, gritting her teeth against the pain in her shoulder. The EMP device hummed under her fingers as she reprogrammed it. All around her, the battle shifted to pure physical combat – claws and fangs replacing disabled tech.

Through the chaos, she caught glimpses of the fight. Maya’s partial shift gave her enhanced speed and agility. Hunter’s more brutal style complemented her perfectly as they pressed their advantage against Damian.

But Damian was far from helpless without his weapon in hand. He matched them blow for blow, his training evident in every movement. A kick sent Maya crashing into a cabinet. Hunter’s next strike drew blood, but Damian simply laughed.

“You have no idea what you’re interrupting.” His voice carried over the chaos. “This is evolution. The weak making way for the strong. Every sample we collect brings us closer to understanding how to control it.”