“How many women have you tested on?” asked Aiden.
“Three, so far,” he replied.
“How much are you paying them?”
“I paid the last one, one hundred thousand dollars,” he said.
Liam whistled.
“At least you’re not snatching them off of the streets,” I said, watching Dr. Shephard’s face closely. “Right?”
“I am a scientist. Not a criminal,” he said firmly.
“Whose sperm have you been using to try and impregnate the test subjects?” I asked.
Dr. Shephard looked at Lucian.
“Yours?” asked Aiden, biting back a smile.
“You’ve still got some swimmers down there?” asked Liam. “Well, I’ll be damned. I thought you were a few centuries old.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Lucian, looking irritated.
“Unfortunately, his swimmers have been ignoring the egg,” said Dr. Shephard. “As have the sperm from the other two male vampire test subjects we’ve used.”
“Have you tried removing the eggs and fertilizing them by hand?” asked Aiden.
He nodded. “Once the egg is removed from the vampire’s body, you can’t put it back. The new DNA doesn’t recognize it. It actually sees it as a threat and then it dissolves the egg.”
“So, in other words, there’s no way to impregnate a female vampire with vampire sperm?” I asked.
“On the contrary. It’s possible for them to impregnate a newly changed female or a mortal, if their sperm cooperates, but it’s a very rare occurrence. Anyway, we need your help. I believe that we’ll have greater success using Lycan sperm. Not only are you able to impregnate your own species, but you can also impregnate a mortal female,” said the scientist.
“In other words, our sperm pack a more powerful punch than Fang-And-Company?” answered Liam.
“Exactly,” said the scientist, chuckling.
“Even so, don’t you think that this is a long shot?” asked Aiden, closing the folder. “And you’re throwing away a lot of money?”
“No, I don’t. I believe that if I have the right test subjects, we can create individuals who will have the best of both of your worlds. We can even clone them, if that’s a route you’d be interested in, after we’re successful.”
“Why?” I asked, feeling the hair stand up on the back of my neck at all of the talk about cloning and mutation. “Doesn’t the world already have enough monsters?”
“I have to agree with Slade,” said Aiden. “Tampering with vampire and Lycan DNA, in order to create a powerful hybrid, doesn’t sound like it would be in any of our best interests. Then to clone them? For what? An army?”
“You’re not understanding the importance of this research,” replied Lucian, looking frustrated.
“I understand its importance. I also understand the dangers,” said Aiden. “I want to thank you for flying all the way to Dublin and sharing your project with us. Unfortunately, this just isn’t something I’m interested in investing in.”
“Why?” asked Lucian, looking shocked. “Do you know what this could mean for the future of both Lycan and vampires?”
“I do and that’s why I’m going to have to decline,” said Aiden.
“That’s fine,” said Dr. Shephard, packing up his folders. “You were our first choice, but not our only one.”
“By creating this hybrid, which I can only assume will need to consume blood to survive, you’re playing with fire, Dr. Shephard,” said Aiden. “And I know that this sounds like such a cliché, but you’re going to get burned. Your entire race is going to get burned. You’re making a mistake.”
“I don’t agree,” he replied, standing up. “But that is my opinion. You’re entitled to your own as well.”
“You’re the one making a mistake,” said Lucian, as Talia entered the room, followed by a servant pushing a cart of food.
“What mistake is that?” asked Talia.
“Mr. Rylan isn’t interested in investing,” said Dr. Shephard, grabbing a tissue from the conference table.
Her eyes widened. “What? Why not?”
“Because Aiden isn’t interested in funding something that would eventually be a threat to everyone in this room,” I answered for him.
“Precisely,” said Aiden.
“Why would you think that?” she asked him.
“How could you not think that,” he answered dryly. “Dr. Shephard wants to create a hybrid using two different races that were never meant to breed. I don’t want to be part of that.”
“Do you realize that you could potentially make an ungodly amount of money by investing in this project?” asked Lucian. “You really want to throw that opportunity out the window?”
“I don’t care about the money. I care about the future of my friends and family. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” said Aiden, looking at his watch. “I have a conference call scheduled in thirty minutes which I need to prepare for. Talia, can you show them to their rooms?”
“Sure,” she answered, looking troubled.
“Feel free to use our limo if you wish to do any sightseeing during your stay,” said Aiden. “And if you’re in need of anything else, please contact Talia or one of my other staff. Even though we couldn’t come to an agreement on the project, you’re guests here at Rylan Castle and I want you to enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you,” said Dr. Shephard, looking exhausted. “I think right now, I’d just like to lie down and rest.”
“Good idea,” Aiden replied and then looked at me and Liam. “You two can leave, as well. I’ll catch up with you both later.”
Liam and I stood up.
“Help yourself to the food,” said Aiden, nodding toward the cart. “I know you’re fading away over there, Liam.”
“You think?” Liam grabbed a plate and started loading it up. “Hell, I should just take the entire cart with me.”
I grunted.
“What about you, Dr. Shephard? Would you like something to take up to your room?” asked Talia.
“I’m not really hungry,” he replied.
“Are you sure? I can have the chef prepare some soup for you,” said Talia. “Like chicken noodle? It might make you feel better.”
His eyes softened. “Thank you. That would be very kind and it actually sounds wonderful.”
She looked at Lucian. “I’m sure we can find something for you, as well.”
“I can manage on my own,” said Lucian, his tone a little brisk.
She laughed nervously. “Okay. Well, let me show you to your rooms.”
Lucian turned to me. “If you’re hunting later, Slade, let me know. I’d like to accompany you.”
“You mean for blood?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t hunt for my blood supply.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Really? Not even for fun?”
“It’s only fun for the consumer,” I replied.
“Not if you know what you’re doing,” he answered.
I smiled coldly. “Oh, I know what I’m doing. I just have too much respect for humans to take what they wouldn’t normally give freely without being charmed into it.”
“Oh, you’re one of those,” he mocked. “A Human-hugger.”
I shrugged. “I find no shame in being ethical.”
Talia snickered.
I raised my eyebrow. “You find that humorous?”
She smiled. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh, but you have to admit - it’s easier to have compassion for them when you’re engaged to one,” added Talia.
Lucian’s eyes widened. “You are? Do you plan on making her immortal?”
“Only if she wants it,” I replied.
“When she begins to age, her vanity will kick in and I can pretty much guarantee that she’ll be begging for you to make her immortal,” he answered.
Chelsey didn’t seem the type of girl who’d beg for anything, and that was one of the things that I found attractive about her. “Maybe.
How long are you planning on staying?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Our plane leaves tomorrow evening,” said Lucian. “For New York.”
I wondered if Talia would leave with them. It seemed like the three had accepted Aiden’s refusal without much of a fight, which seemed a little odd to me. They’d risked quite a bit to set up the meeting and something told me that they weren’t finished yet. Especially Talia, who had been deceitful from the start. I decided we needed to hash things out sooner rather than later.
LUCIAN AND DR. Shephard followed me quietly up the staircase, toward the bedroom chambers. I knew that the doctor was disappointed about how the meeting had gone down, but I knew that Lucian had to be seething inside. This project meant everything to him and he’d put so much time and effort into getting me the job with the notorious Aiden Rylan. Sure, I’d passed the interview and had given an award-winning performance as an aspiring Research Analyst, but he’d set it all up. To have it fail so easily wasn’t something he was going to accept. From the look he’d given me in the conference room, I knew that he was already blaming me.
“This is your room, Dr. Shephard,” I said, opening up the chamber door. “They’ve already brought in your overnight bag from the limo.”
“Thank you,” he answered, moving around me to go inside. “Oh, there’s a fire. Splendid.”
“I’ll have your soup brought up when it’s ready,” I told him.
“Thank you,” he replied, turning to look at us. “We’ll that didn’t go well, did it?”
“Not to worry,” said Lucian in a low voice. “As far as I’m concerned, our business here is not finished.”
“You have a plan?” he whispered.
“Of course I have a plan,” he replied.
Dr. Shephard nodded. “Good. We also need to find females for the experiments. Have you been working on that, too?”
“Of course. We’ll have some lined up by the time we return to the states,” said Lucian.
“Good. Do you think they bought the part about the money being for them?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it?” I asked, surprised. From what I understood, the girls undergoing the experiments were paid handsomely.
Lucian turned to me. “Don’t worry, they’re rewarded with the gift of eternal life.”
“But, they receive no money?” I asked.
“We need the funds for other things,” said Lucian. “Like the new facility in London. That’s not yet paid for.”
“Why didn’t you tell them the truth then?” I asked.
“Because if Rylan knew the truth, not only would he say ‘no’ to the project, he’d try and stop it. He can’t ever find out the truth,” he said, staring down at me as if I was dense.
“What is the truth?” I asked, although I already knew the answer – the girls were being charmed into the experiments.
“I’ll leave it up to you to explain,” said Dr. Shephard, closing the door on us. “I need to lie down.”
Lucian’s eyes bore into mine and he smirked. “You’ve already figured it out. Now,” he said, grabbing me by the elbow. “Show me to my room. You and I have some of our own business to discuss.”
“It’s down the hallway,” I said, still troubled. The fact that the girls were basically being hypnotized into becoming vampires didn’t sit well with me. They didn’t have a choice in the matter, which truthfully, I hadn’t either. But, it had saved my life. This was totally different.
“Which one?” asked Lucian.
I pointed to the one farthest down the hallway, next to mine, and he guided me there, his hand holding me firmly as if he was afraid I’d fly away. After we entered the chamber, he locked the door and then turned to me, his face a mask of anger.
“I know you’re angry,” I started, smiling up at him nervously. “I’m sure we can-”
“You’re sure?!” he interrupted. “Just like you were sure that we’d have him eating out of our hands?”
“I never said that,” I protested. “I said that he seemed interested in the idea and that I thought we’d have a good shot at getting him on board.”
“Obviously he’s not,” snapped Lucian, rubbing his jaw. “So, we’re going to have to go with plan ‘B’.”
“What’s that?” I asked, not having heard of any other plans.
“You’re going to have to do whatever it takes to convince him to change his mind.”
“Okay, I’ll do my best. I’m sure if I talk to him about it, when he’s not with his brother or Slade, he might be more open-minded.”
“No, you’re going to do more than that. Tonight, you’re going to seduce Mr. Aiden Rylan into signing on with us.”
I gasped. “What? Seduce him?”
He smiled darkly. “It’s your time to shine, my lovely Vanessa. If you can do this, you can do anything.”
“You know how I feel about one of them touching me,” I hissed, angry that he was asking me to use sex once again.
“I know you hate the Lycan, as do I, but you need to take another one for the team,” he answered, his eyes begging me to do it. “It will be worth it in the long run. I promise you.”
I closed my eyes and let out a ragged breath. I could never say no to Lucian. “What if it doesn’t work?”
“It will if you use the vampire charm when he lets his guard down during sex.”
“Does that really work?” I asked. Normally Lycan were immune to it.
“Lycan are able to resist our lure because they anticipate it and usually keep their guard up. Aiden’s guard will be down in the throes of passion. Once it is, you will have the power to get him to do whatever you want.”
I frowned. “Are you sure about this?”
“I once overheard two Lycan discussing it, many years ago. They were making jokes, but it was something they weren’t proud of. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but Lycan are very much attracted to the scent of female vampires, so getting him to sleep with you shouldn’t be too difficult. Besides the fact that you’re a beautiful woman.”
“I haven’t heard you say that in a while, Lucian. Are you sure that’s how you see me?”
He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me against his hips. “Does this leave any kind of doubt in your mind?”
His hard manhood pressed against my stomach through his trousers, making me ache for him. “I’ve missed you so much,” I whispered, as his mouth drew closer to mine.
“Show me.”
AFTER SLADE HAD left my room, it had taken a while for me to fall asleep. All I could think about was him and the tenderness he’d shown me while we’d made love. Although, he hadn’t mentioned any kind of commitment or undying love toward me, I could tell from the look in his eyes that Slade really cared, which made the future seem so much less daunting.
When I finally was able to sleep, it was deep and filled with sensual dreams of us together and I didn’t wake up until almost eleven.
I yawned and stretched my arms, smiling at the memory of the amazing night we’d had together. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I imagined spending the entire day with him, some of it even back in my bed. Just thinking of the possibilities made me blush. Although I was no longer a virgin, I certainly felt like a little schoolgirl daydreaming about her first crush.
A loud knock on my door startled me. I quickly got out of bed and grabbed a robe. “Who is it?” I asked, pulling it over my shoulders.
“Melody.”
I unlocked the door and opened it. “Hi.”
She looked down at my robe. “You’re not ready yet? We’re going shopping today, remember?”
I smiled at her sheepishly. “Sorry, I forgot. No wonder you’re already dressed and ready to go.”
Her hair, which was pulled into a ponytail, was still damp and she was dressed in blue jeans and a pink T-shirt. “I woke up a few hours ago,” she said, sighing. “I just couldn’t sleep, thinking about Liam. I can’t believe he’s going to lunch with his friend’s
mother. Is that twisted or is it just me?”
“You mean Bradan’s mother? She’s a vampire, too, isn’t she?” I asked, walking over to the dresser to find something to wear.
“Yes,” she said with a pouty expression. “Maybe I should ask Bradan to make me a vampire. Then Liam might want me.”
“Bad idea. Anyway, he sleeps with mortals, too, remember?”
“Yes, so what the heck is wrong with me?” she said, sitting down on my bed.
“Didn’t we just have this conversation?” I teased. “And we came to the conclusion that he doesn’t want to ruin your friendship.”
“I don’t want to be friends with him,” she said, lying down. She stared up at the ceiling. “At least not just friends.”
“You only want what you can’t have,” I replied. “If you did have sex with Liam, you’d get bored with him. Like you do with most other guys.”
She turned on her side and looked at me. “Somehow I doubt that Liam will be boring in or out of bed.”
I sighed. “I’m going to take a quick shower and get ready. Have you seen Slade yet this morning?”
“Maybe he’s with Talia?” she said, a smirk on her face.
“I doubt it.”
“Really? You don’t think he wouldn’t be tempted to be with her, even after everything that I told you last night?”
“No and… what happened between them, all those years ago, was an accident,” I said.
She sat up quickly. “You talked to him about it?”
I nodded.
“When?”
“Last night,” I said, my cheeks turning pink. “After you left.”
She noticed me blushing and her eyes widened. “Did you two have sex?”
I grinned, in spite of not wanting to tell her.
Her jaw dropped. “You did! Oh my God, what were you thinking?”
My smile fell. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t you get it?” she said, standing up. “He lied to you just to get down your pants.”
“No, he wasn’t lying,” I said. “He was being very sincere and honest about everything, including what had happened between him and Talia.”
Toxic (Venom Series) Book Three Page 2
