New cracks had formed in the ceiling. In the past few days, the hotel building had acquired a lot more history.
Well, Felix smirked, he had always wanted to make his mark on history.
"What?" Alec asked from a couple of inches away. Which meant that Felix had finally beaten Alec at this ridiculous challenge.
"The Duracell Duo finally stopped," Felix reported, aware that the vibrations that usually accompanied their vigorous activity had ceased.
Alec sighed like he was too mature for this subject and stood up to scout the lobby for a book. His sister's sexual life still was not one hundred percent kosher for discussion.
Jane and Demetri trooped downstairs.
"You look worn out," Felix greeted boastfully.
"Shut up," Jane said, joining Alec at the bookshelf.
"What about you?" Demetri asked, returning the offense. "You wore out much more quickly. Don't tell me the infamous sex guru couldn't keep up with the novice."
Alec and Jane frowned their spooky identical frowns at Demetri.
"Haha." Sucks to be him, Felix thought. Unwilling to share the proverbial doghouse with his friend, he simply explained, "I'm waiting for a phone call."
"Who would call you?" Jane asked, with mild interest.
The replaced cell phone made its timely ring.
"And that would be it." Felix peeled himself off the floor and answered. "Hullo? Yes, I thought you would be interested in my offer."
"It's Carlisle," Alec explained to them.
"Carlisle," Demetri echoed.
Jane wrinkled her face. "Uggh. They would survive the plague."
She should not have been too surprised. Since the Swiss people replaced communications, the group had learned that the Americas had only suffered a forty percent mortality rate so far: most of the causalties concentrated in the largest cities. Which was a vast improvement over the over ninety five percent death toll in continental Europe.
"Why is Carlisle calling?" Demetri wanted to know.
"Because Felix called him," Alec provided the obvious reason.
"Why? We're not going to join up with them." Demetri's voice rose in outrage at the possibility
Alec shook his head. "It's only because Carlisle is a doctor. Professional interest."
"I already released it locally, numbnuts!" Felix shouted indignantly. "But knowing how your country likes to slow everything down with tests, I thought I'd send some your way. You know, so you and your family don't die?"
For a human lover, Carlisle was terrible at showing gratitude.
"Now I want a few things in return. Don't worry, it won't cost you your souls. First I want your assurance that your coven will not retaliate for any past deeds. I'm not offering you a life saving elixir just to have you gang up and kill off my coven."
"Your coven?" Jane shrilled.
"Jane's coven," Felix corrected, rolling his eyes. "And that also goes for hunting rights. There's not that many of us, so it's not like we'll be taking a huge chunk of the population." A pause. "Of course, we'll stay away from the rez and any other sacred spots. And no fair declaring the whole continent a sacred spot.
"Third, any money you make, a third of it has to go to the surviving family of Chloe Engleby, because there wouldn't be a cure without her." Felix provided the address.
"So," Felix finished with an airy confidence he well deserved. "Do we have a deal?"
