Chapter 29

Coraline awoke, groggily, to Mick talking. Pain sliced through her all too human body where Beth's homemade stake had almost pierced her heart. What was he saying? She concentrated, telling him he looked like someone had died.

Josef. She murmured something about introducing them and their unusual friendship.

God, she was tired. Her body was working so hard to stay alive and here was Mick, asking her about the compound. She showed her anger. Selfish as always, Mick only wanted to use her.

Before she could answer back, the blackness took her down again.

When she woke, he was gone and she felt better. The charge nurse was leaning over her and the hunger was back. Never had anything smelled so delicious as that nurse's blood, coursing so closely to her through the neck. But she mustn't.

Apparently she still had a heartbeat and blood pressure but her body was slowly changing back.

What should she do now? Obviously the plan to win back Mick had backfired in the oddest way. And just as she was so close to seducing him! Her little kidnappee turned out to want vengeance! Who would have guessed? And what was Beth trying to accomplish by staking her? Really, these humans!

For Coraline no longer identified herself as one. It was clear that the attack and wound had somehow set aside the compound. Vampirism had forced its way back in. How? Why? Did it trump life when survival was threatened?

Time to get serious about bringing to the lab that top botanist Cynthia was talking about. With all her friend's biochemistry education, Coraline hadn't understood but now, perhaps, they did need more of an expert. Someone to run the lab. There had to be a way to reproduce the formula. Cynthia was so busy, getting the permits and arranging for the restaurants to cover the costs of shipping the plants. She must find a way to get it back again before she ran out!

Coraline gave a last human sigh.

So goodbye Morgan, photojournalism and that dream of a human life; of being Mick's wife and worst of all, now she would never be a mother. Life and love don't mix with being undead. No, it was never to be. All because of Beth. What a cruel irony -- the helpless little girl grew up to be her nemesis.

Yes, time to lay low ... and to call Cynthia.