She closed her eyes, sighed loudly, stepped out of the room, closed the door. she shifted her body to the right and faced the wall, "Rvana" she said, and the wall silently slid open, revealing the lab. She stepped inside, the door closed behind her. And she was ready. "Edmonds!" she called out with a soft easy sound,

He came from the other side of the lab as she walked to the front of the room and stood by the desk. Edmonds seemed to be a little bothered by her unexpected arrival. His normal bright smile wavered, lightly scratched his cheek. Words lingered behind his lips, but he didn't speak. He prided himself in knowing when she'd arrived. And would greet her at the door. he wanted, no he needed to apologize but what could he say that wouldn't sound sincere. he hadn't even heard the door open.

"Can you get them..."she said, taking a white lab coat hanging on the wall behind the desk and slipped it over her nurses' uniform

Edmond, tilted his head, raised his right brow, noticing the different clothing she was wearing." As you wish..." he said in stride. Make note to self...he thought. Walking past the glass enclosure. Worried by her sudden unexpected arrival, He paid little attention to vampires. They were huddled tightly together with their naked backs, turned toward the glass at the back of the small room. He walked past the black room ignoring the overwhelming hate filled aura, to the door, opened it and disappeared as the door closed.

One of the older vampires, turned around from the huddle, the term older being subjective... But older in physical age. She was the one who earlier tapped the glass over and over. Her physical appearance in her twenties, average in looks. She tilted her head, her longs black hair hung with gravity, and something was different about the look of her hair. A small reddish white scrap was intertwined within her black hair.

Rvana stood by the desk, looking down as she adjusted her lab coat, slowly grinned. She raised her head, a gleam in her eyes and a playful grin on her face. She exuded confidence as she stood putting the finishing touches. She winked, gave her a playful finger wave and waited.

Edmonds walked down the hall and stopped at an undefined door. nothing unique set this door apart from the others in the hallway. Nothing except the aggressive noise coming from the other side of the door. loud talking, yelling and laughter. The muffled voices spoke volumes of those behind the door. He closed eyes, absent mindedly scratched the back of his neck, his naked hostility towards them barely visible underneath the layer of contempt he felt for them. nothing but beasts…he whispered, knocking on the door as he turned the knob and entered the room. The stench… covering her mouth with his hand, wrinkled his nose, cleared his throat. The room smelled of wild beasts, like they had not bathed since…. since, never mind he sighed.

Many of them sat on the small beds, arguing, talking about past missions, what would happen next, how great it would be for some fresh meat. Disgusting…

Edmonds knew they were not talking of beef but females. Young females or males. A prize they hoped to take home with them after the mission.

He knew this. Not from experience but from his investigations as a part of his biological studies. A new area of science regarding the mixing of wolves and vampire DNA with humans. The wolves for strength and endurance. The vampires for quick healing and longevity. He'd heard of two successful wolf subjects in the area. Those two happened during the terrorist invasion of Academy City.

Wolves and vampires were his main subject of study. How they differed, how they were the same compared to humans. He interviewed many of the shewolves in Academy City. and they were very open about their experience. But the ones he wanted to interview, were the older ones. The elder wolves. Which is a little misnomer. Or misdirection. Elder wolves were older wolves like grandmothers, or great grandmothers. But an elder wolf could be a different branch of the wolf family. In other words, the shewolves, the younger ones had more human mixed in, many from forced breeding during the wars. The more human, the less wolf like in appearance and strength. And elder wolves were more wolf than human. The old ones were revered, appreciated and helped to secure the bloodline of the ancient wolves. He'd taken a post with the previous head scientist. But the head scientist was quickly removed and Rvana took over. He watched her, taking notes and asking questions. And she answered them. the way she handled them, interacted with them. even walking into their holding cage carrying coolers filled with human blood. How could she? and not be afraid. He admired her strength, confidence and daring. Not afraid to cross the line or back away from it.

she was a true professional. he warmed at the thought.

He shook his head, pushing his admiration and memories back. his expression changed, emotionless and professional. He saw him. Sitting at the back of the room like he was holding court. Next to him, a disgusting looking man, with a grotesque appearance. A long scar running down the center of his face, his throat and he imaged his large belly bore the same scar. Those around him laughed, either with him or at him. Edmonds wasn't sure. The dog among the wolves, beads of sweat pilled across the top of his balding herd. His small rodent like eyes nervously darting from one wolf to another. He wondered how such a little obscene man enjoyed the position to the left of him. Cornelius sat on the bed, the frame bending from his mass. His large body dominating each one of them as they laughed like college frat boys at a house party.

Edmond walked up, side stepping those sitting or laying on the floor and stopped in front of him. He ignored him, continuing his conversations with the other. he raised his hand pushed up his glasses with his middle finger, his contempt visible. Cornelius saw him for the edge of his eyes. and why not, he was a wolf, a predator, he'd make this little human male wait. The corner of his near side smile inched, the lines of his face lightened thinking of playing with him. But….

Rvana will see you…. He said in a hard sharp tone of voice commanded. Cornelius rolled his eyes around to look at him, his smile turning to a sneer. Phhttp…. the grotesque man's body shook, his face distorted in mock triumphant of position. Edmonds wasn't sure. Cornelius isn't ordered he commands the little man sneered like rodent.

Send her in…. Cornelius said, showing his teeth.

Edmonds lips curled in a subtle but cruel smile, you're are mistaken…he said drawing the disdain over his lips, his eyes steeled at the leader of this mangy pack, she is telling you to come …he cocked his head to the side.

The room went quiet and hostile. Edmonds felt the heat of their stares burning into him. Hot breaths filling the room, the slow sound of their knuckle cracking as they curled into fist. He didn't flinch. He showed nothing. He looked at Cornelius as his face grew tighter, redder, his mouth opened slowly, his teeth then his large canines caught the lights. white, yellowish and sharp canines.

Edmonds ignored the posturing. He'd watched Rvana stare down vampires, stared Cornelius down while he squeezed her throat, even killed one of them without remorse in front to their great pack leader. Cornelius slowly rose from the bed, like a mountain from the sea, his shadow swept across him and the pack. he growled, looking down at Edmonds.

Are you the real one…he said, as his eyes ran over Edmonds face, or the little metal man,

Edmonds groaned, but didn't take his eyes of Cornelius, brought his hand up, pushed his glass up with his middle finger. She won't wait for you…. he said and turned, showing his back to the wolf. An insult. Edmond was telling him, with his body he didn't fear him. Go ahead strike me while my back is turned. He didn't wait, this way…. he said and walked away.

Kill him…. the grotesque looking man said. Do it…shaking his head, squeezing his fist so tight his knuckles turned white. His mouth twisted forcing the words over his misshapen lips. The heavy scar splitting his lips, turned and twisted on the words, his hatred in his small black eyes sparkled.

Cornelius put his hands on his hips, watching the little man walk away. he slowed his breathing, cooling his agitation. His mouth, a hard thin line slowly loosened and curled. The others watched the little man and Cornelius. Each one waiting, ready to kill this little man. The room growing hotter, filling with the urge to kill the little man. It's been too long…. Cornelius whispered, his head moved up and done, tilted. Too long indeed. He said.

A tickle in his chest, rose into his throat, he laughed, and it filled the room. the others with hesitation laughed, yes…he said, we will go…. he said, perhaps she has desperate need me….

He laughed, or my touch…the room drowned in their laughter.

But Edmonds gritted his teeth stepping out into the hallway, letting the door close. He exhaled a deep breath, his chest trembled, pounding of this heart against his chest. the adrenalin burn faded as he walked to the door going into the lab. He put his hand on his chest, feeling the heat from his body slowly fade. he opened the door, stepped inside.

She was sitting on the desk, looking over at the glass room. her arms to her side, her legs dangling. She turned her attention to him. She watched him with soft eyes in a gentle expression. Confidant in her decisions and actions. They are coming…. he said, and a slow smile appeared on her face. The same type of smile she had when she walked into a room filled with hungry vampires. His heart beat a little faster.