Inferno

By Divamercury

I apologize for the brevity of this selection, but my muse told me to end it where I ended it. This after my 1,000-word explanation, but oh well. I hope you like it, and I'll make Chapter 12 longer than usual! Anyway, enjoy Chapter 11 and remember that no one can sue me because I'm not making money on this!

Chapter 11

Immo seemed terrified at the very thought of an interrogation.

"Well, if there's anything I can do for you, Ian, then I will do so."

At least he was tractable.

"What was the meeting in Irons's office about?"

"UmmI don't recall."

That was the last straw. I was through being patient. This man knew the answers to my questions and even though I didn't like to go about finding information in this manner, I decided to beat it out of him if necessary. I lunged at Immo and grabbed him by the shoulders. He emitted a pitiful squeak as I pinned him to the wall, anger flashing in my eyes.

"You liar! You were just in the damned meeting! Now what the hell was it about?" I was surprised at my vehemence.

"Ironshad me create a virus designed for the Wielder."

My eyes widened, but this was the only outward sign of my complete outrage. "And Harridan?"

"Had some of its scientists assist me. We created the virus and the antiserum, but Irons has lost his portion. He infected the Wielder, how I don't know. I am unsure of how she will fare," Immo said.

Well, that was easy enough. I knew he would spill the beans' if frightened to any extent. So Irons was behind it the whole time. I should have assumed that from the beginning. The only problem was that the cure, the antiserum, was missing. Damn!

"Is that all?" I asked.

"Ummyes. I believe."

"Thank you," I said, releasing him and running out of the infirmary. It was too dangerous to be in there when you weren't in control of the situation. I returned to Irons's office.

"You have been filled in to the details." It wasn't a question.

I remained silent.

"Immo caved. Well, that isn't surprising. If he weren't such a genius I'd eliminate him. But he is too useful to me."

"Why?" I asked simply.

"Why?" He echoed my question tauntingly. "Why did I do this, you mean? Your precious lady has been antagonistic and stubborn from the beginning. It has proved impossible to subjugate her; therefore it seemed that disposing of her was the only way to retrieve the Witchblade. Originally I planned to wait for her to beg for help and then possibly give her the antiserum, but now that my supply is missing, I have no desire to order more. Truly she will be of more use to me dead than alive. Suffice it to say, Ian, you are of no more help to her than any doctors around. The virus, which Immo calls Lamia, is untraceable by ordinary equipment used in the medical field. It might be wise to pay a visit to your Wielder, because she may not be in this realm much longer."

If looks could kill, my glare would have dispatched Irons instantly. I left the building, trying to plan my next move.

* * *

Sara ate what I gave her. That was a good sign. However, as she was finishing her juice she started coughing. I assumed that something had gone down the wrong way. But that wasn't it.

"Sara? Sara!" I exclaimed. She was coughing uncontrollably, clutching her chest; there was nothing I could do. I took the tray off her lap, put it on the table. Finally the fit stopped and she fell back, unconscious and drained of energy. What was worse, her fever had skyrocketed and she was barely breathing. I panicked. I reached for the cell phone and immediately dialed Ian's number.

* * *

My phone rang as I left Vorschlag.

Oh, no,' I thought. I answered it on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Ian! We've got a big problem. One minute she was fine, then the next she"

"What? What happened?"

"She's relapsed into whatever it was before. It's bad. She started coughing really hard and now she's out cold, the fever's 104, from what the thermometer said, and she's barely breathing. I'm freaked, man. Get down here now!"

"I'm on my way," I said. He didn't have to tell me twice.