I apologize for the inconvenience of taking so long guys. Between publishing my kindle book, A Liberated Decision, and having a baby, life has been a little crazy! I'm hoping to be able to post more chapters and give you guys some more to the story. Feel free to comment away and tell me what you think of this new chapter. Enjoy!
Katarina swallowed as she began backing away from him and toward the door. "What did you create against the vampires?" There was no point in denying what she was. He wouldn't believe her anyway.
"We've created a great deal many things. Which one are you specifically referring to? Have you already been infected?" His eyes showed a little compassion, perhaps a hint of worry. Neither feeling seemed to line up with what they appeared to be doing to vampires, and whatever other supernatural being was being targeted.
"What if I am? Are you going to help me?" She eyed him up warily. She'd do what she could to protect Elijah and if that meant taking risks, then so be it.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Why are you gracing us with your presence, Katarina? There must be a reason why you're here. Someone had to tell you about us. Who was it?" The professor took a step toward her.
The movement was enough to make her want to flee. There was a reason why she was still alive after all these years. Being cautious and skittish, when necessary, kept her alive. Yet she couldn't help but hold her ground. Elijah's life depended on it. "How do you stop the virus?"
"Katarina, we've spent years perfecting our viruses. Do you really think I would tell you how to cure the one thing that will cure us from the evilness of your kind?" The professor folded his arms in front of him.
It was obvious that the professor knew what virus it was that she was referring to. There was no doubt about it. Why would he play a game with her wondering which strain it was if he already knew?
Katarina was feeling lightheaded. She cautiously looked around at her surroundings. An air duct wasn't far above her head. Her breathing sped up and an irritation quickly flooded over her. She glared at the professor. "Your cure for vampirism is going to kill a lot of good people."
"Our cure is going to help a lot of good people whose lives have been lost to the likes of you." Defiance crept its way into his voice. He returned the irritated look.
"Say what you want, but there is no denying that you both are murders." She coughed, easily angered by how less criticizing her voice was beginning to sound. She couldn't tell if it was from the vervaine very clearly being blown upon her, or if the virus had been mixed in with the vervaine vapors in an attempt to infect her or any other vampire that entered the premises. Either way, there was no escaping easily at this point. The sound of approaching steps made it clear that there was someone about to join them.
The professor could see Katarina's focus shift to the approaching noise. "I don't pretend to have the same hearing as you have, but judging by your sudden distraction from me, I'll wager a bet that Professor French is on his way down. I swear he has a camera on this place. He always has a knack for showing up when something big happens." He laughed at the thought.
Katarina swallowed hard. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and dialed Elijah's number by memory, keeping the talented feat hidden behind her back. She had to warn him of her findings. Time was short; she had to inform him before her options became even more limited.
Her ears pricked up as soon as she heard her lover's sweet voice. She kept the phone stuffed in her back pocket. "What will you and Professor French do to me when he gets here, McCloud?"
The professor's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard his name actually addressed. He seemed to dismiss it rather quickly, however. "That will be entirely up to him. I am still learning; nobody's been able to top the master in delivering the best viruses. I'm better off learning from the best until I take over."
She momentarily tuned the professor out as Elijah's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Get out of there, Katarina. Get out of there now!" His warning was unwavering with no room for her to argue with him.
The professor's eyes narrowed again. He risked a step closer to her. "Miss Pierce? What are you up to, Miss Pierce?"
Katarina swallowed hard and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She felt her blood begin boiling inside of her and she did everything she could to keep from screaming out in surprise pain. "I love you forever, my love." She didn't take her eyes off of the professor as she dropped the phone to the ground and smashed it to bits and pieces. There was no way she'd risk them finding a way to trace their way back to the royal family.
That sudden movement was her last, as a needle slipped its way into her neck. Her body functions were frozen in place. As she fell into the arms of a stranger, the world swirled away into darkness and reminded her that she wasn't completely invincible from everything. The last thought that ran through her mind was if she'd ever see Elijah again. Besides saving his life, the only other thing that she wanted right now was to be falling into his arms; not the arms of a stranger. That stranger wouldn't provide her with the safety that Elijah would always try to promise her. Had she just failed to save both herself and her lover?