The afternoon dredged ever forward, each minute longer than the last.
Amanda felt herself going slightly crazier every second. She spent her time in front of the mirror, watching every tiny strand of hair grow, listening to the steadily deepening timbre of her breathing.
The voice got louder with each passing second.
Zoë seemed content to wait, passing the time at her computer. How was she so calm?
The soldier finally spoke. “I have to go to the cave.”
Her roommate looked up. “I told you, I don’t know where it is.”
“I do.” Clear as crystal, like a supernatural GPS, the quickest route to the center of Wolf Lake circled in Amanda’s head.
“What about your cover?”
Amanda laughed. She wasn’t completely sure it was her laughter anymore. “It doesn’t matter now.” She rose, moving on suddenly confident legs toward Zoë. “Just make sure everyone’s ready.”
Zoë blinked. “Ready for what? What’re you planning?”
Her response was a gentle stroke of her suitemate’s hairy chin, followed by a lover’s kiss. Zoë returned the emotion, surprised that she could bring herself to share passion with anyone but her fallen mate.
As soon as it began, the kiss was broken. “You’ll know, soon enough.” She smiled, suavely turning on her heels as she exited the room.
The shocked student realized that Amanda’s roots had taken on a reddish hue. Her scent seemed strange as well, foreign yet familiar. She felt tears well up, though of what she was not certain.
It didn’t seem possible, but she let her leave, desperate in the hope that her mate would live again.
Excitement on campus was rapidly reaching a fever pitch. Papers and tests were forgotten or postponed. Every building except the Union shut down early. Night classes had even been cancelled.
With two hours before sundown, the dignified campus looked like Mardi Gras.
They even managed a great turnout for first-time visiting pre-frosh, almost 50, despite the contamination scare one month ago.
It was shaping up to be one wild night…