“Thank you, Conner.”
The required garments were brought in and soon the group headed toward Conner’s car.
When Veronica took his arm, Joe saw the pallor and fatigue in her features. The reality of the situation hit him like a hard punch.
He put his arm around her as they walked. He would find that damn antidote if it was the last thing he did. He’d just found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, he wasn’t about to let her die. No matter what it cost him.
Chapter 11
Veronica fought the weakness that pulled at her as if gravity had increased threefold. It took all her strength to continue searching the lab. It seemed she’d been looking through drawers and cabinets for hours, but she knew it had only been a few minutes.
“What exactly are we looking for?” Conner asked.
“Maybe a capped vial,” Veronica said. “A small bottle with an odd label. Anything that looks out of place.”
“That’s everything,” Conner said. “At least to me.”
“How about an asthma inhaler?” Kevin said. “They did that on Criminal Minds once.”
Veronica leaned a hand against the nearest counter and put the other to her aching head. “Sure, it could be just about anything or anywhere.”
“We’ll find it,” Joe’s reassuring voice warmed her, but she could feel the doubt inside him.
“What in blazes is going on here?”
Veronica turned to see Dr. Wright staring at them, red-faced, fists clenched, and ready to protect his lab at all costs. “Sir, they’re helping me.”
“Helping you what? These are humans, Dr. Teal.”
Forcing her aching head to focus took a lot, but somehow she managed. “Sir, Todd was working on his own project. He developed a virus and—”
“His own project? What are you talking about?”
She took a deep breath and tried to steady her shaking body. “Todd was working on a virus that kills vampires.”
Dr. Wright laughed. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Why in the world would he do that? Mutating a virus so that it kills our kind could change the entire balance of power between the human population and ours.”
She swallowed. “Sir, I don’t think Todd is entirely sane.”
“No shit, Sherlock.” Somebody, she thought it was Mike, muttered behind her. She fought the threatening smile and kept her gaze on Dr. Wright’s.
“How can you say that? Dr. Kennedy is an excellent researcher. And what are you looking for here?”
“He used the resources of this lab to develop the virus.”
The man’s eyes widened. “This lab isn’t equipped for viral research.”
She stared into his face. “Exactly.”
“Why would he do something so reckless?”
“To kill off vampires he doesn’t like. Mostly the Guardians.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you’ve brought others into this facility. Dr. Wright’s confused expression added frustration to her growing fatigue.
She thrust her left shoulder in his face and pointed to the red spot. “He injected me with the virus, and if we don’t find the treatment soon, I’m going to die.”
Dr. Wright stepped back and waved his arms. “This is a fantasy designed to confuse me so that you can take whatever it was you missed the first time you broke in here. Well, it won’t work. I’ve already called the Guardians.”
“She’s telling the truth.” The deep voice carried an edge that could only come from one source: a Guardian.
Dr. Wright turned. “Surely you don’t believe her?”
“Actually, yes, I do.”
Welcome relief washed over her. “Spencer.”
He came closer and put a hand on her shoulder. “Any idea what kind of virus he gave you?”
“No, and the rest of you, especially the vampires, should probably get out. The virus might become contagious.”
“Excellent idea.” Dr. Wright exited, his expression telling her he believed none of it, his brisk steps saying he wasn’t taking any chances.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Joe said from behind her.
“Me either,” Spencer Drake said, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze as if to confirm the statement.
Mike and Conner echoed the desire to help. Kevin ignored them all as he continued to search the lab.
“Let’s get busy then.” She turned and almost tripped. Joe caught her and walked with her to Todd’s office.
Joe ransacked file cabinets and bookcases. She sat in the desk chair and methodically pulled out drawers and looked in nooks and crevices. It only took a couple of minutes to discover one drawer of Todd’s desk was locked, and she didn’t see the key anywhere. For a second, guilt twisted her heart. Then she remembered the kind of man Todd was. She grabbed the drawer and jerked. Nothing happened.
“Hey, Mike,” Joe yelled out the office door, “we could use some of your special skill in here.”
Veronica pulled hard at the desk drawer. What the hell was it with all this super-strong metal today?
“Allow me,” Mike said, sitting on his heels beside her. He bent two paper clips, shoved them in the lock, did some sort of twisting thing—and the drawer opened
“So you can pick locks?”
“Just one of my many talents.” Mike looked at her for a moment, frowned, and raised a hand to her forehead. “Your temp is elevated.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “We might not find it in time.”
“Bullshit. We’ll find it in plenty of time.” Joe took Mike’s place beside her, while Mike slipped out the door.
“We have to be realistic.”
“Okay, it’s realistic that you’re going to be fine and we’re going to spend many happy years together.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am.” He gently kissed her before he went back to the file cabinets.
It wouldn’t make sense to keep the cure in a locked drawer. It would be way too obvious. Right? But then, Todd was arrogant. And locking something up was logical.
Shaking the thoughts out of her head she took everything out of the drawer one piece at a time. The search seemed to take forever, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep going.
Mike poked his head in the door. “I found notes, but it would take several hours to make the serum.”
Joe looked her way. “We don’t have that kind of time.”
“So it’s a liquid?” She asked.
“Yes,” Mike said. “It’s an injectable serum.”
“We have to keep searching,” Joe said.
Veronica looked down at the desk. Where would you put something as valuable as that cure? For all Todd knew, he might have to use it on himself one day. He’d have it handy, but hidden.
Then it dawned on her. Didn’t the bottom drawer seem too shallow? She shoved it in a bit, so she could see the outside. It was definitely smaller than the front would suggest. Afraid to even consider that she might have found the answer, she jerked the remainder of the contents out of the drawer and ran her hand around, feeling for a loose place, or hook, or latch, or something.
The bottom shifted when she touched the back right corner, and she gave it an experimental push. The false bottom of the drawer tipped up in the front.
Joe and Mike had come over and stood near her. She glanced up at Joe, and he gave her an encouraging smile.
Holding the corner down with one hand, she slipped her fingers under the front of the piece that had flipped up. The entire false bottom came out in her hands, revealing vials and syringes. She’d found the cure. Now if there was time to use it.
****
As Veronica moved the false drawer aside to reveal what must be the cure, Joe let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Relief all but knocked him to the floor.
“He was even nice enough to leave directions,” Mike said, holding up a neatly penned sheet of paper.
“Would y
ou feel comfortable injecting me?” Veronica asked Mike. “I’m a coward with needles.”
“I’d feel better if we did this in a hospital.”
“They wouldn’t understand my physiology, or a serum from a non-medical lab,” she told him, and held out a vial and syringe. “Besides, there isn’t time.”
Mike nodded, and got to work getting things ready.
Joe sat on his heels beside her. “I’ll be right here with you.”
“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“Okay, Veronica,” Mike said. “It says intravenous.”
She held out her arm. Do what you need to.”
They found a piece of rubber tubing in the drawer, and Mike wrapped it around her upper arm. “He was prepared.”
“Not for us,” Joe said, and winked at Veronica.
Mike wiped her inner elbow with alcohol on a cotton ball. “Here we go.”
Joe put his fingers on her chin and turned her to face him. “Look at me,” he whispered.
She winced when he stuck the needle in her arm, and there was a moment of calm. Then she gasped and gripped his hand hard enough to hurt.
“I’m sorry, Veronica,” Mike said. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this.”
“It’s not you, the serum burns.”
Joe gently rubbed her other arm and tried to send her calming energy. He had no idea what he was doing, but he had to try something. She gave him a shaky smile, and his heart flipped over.
“I’m done,” Mike said. “I’ll hold on to this for a minute.”
“I have bandages in my desk drawer,” she said.
“I’ll get one,” Joe kissed her cheek, then took off to the other office.
Once alone, he leaned a hand against Veronica’s desk and allowed himself to confront the terror of the last few hours. He knew who Justin’s killer was. He’d beaten the shit out of that maggot and thrust him into the burning sunlight. He should be relieved, but all he could think about was that he might still lose the woman he loved.
He took a deep breath, shoved his fear to the back of his mind, and pulled open the top drawer. Right now, Veronica needed him, and he had to be strong for her. He might have failed his brother, but he wouldn’t fail the woman he hoped would agree to be his wife.
Chapter 12
Veronica lay on the couch in Dr. Wright’s office and stared at the ceiling while her mind bounced between the certainty she would die, and thinking about what her future would be like with Joe.
Of course, she had no right to consider a life with him. Yes, he said he loved her, but that didn’t mean he’d want to spend his life with a woman of a totally different species. A woman who drank the blood of his kind to survive.
If she didn’t die from this damn virus.
A chill moved through her so hard her teeth chattered. Joe was at her side instantly, tucking her covers and feeling her forehead. “You’re burning up. I’ll get Mike.”
In spite of the painful shivers, she must have dozed, because the next time she opened her eyes Mike was holding her wrist and looking at his watch. “Bad?” she was appalled at how weak and pathetic her voice sounded.
“Temp’s high, pulse is fast, respirations rapid, consciousness in and out. Do you know who I am?”
“Not the man I want holding my hand.” The smile took less effort that she’d have thought.
Mike smiled back and relinquished her hand to Joe, who she’d already spotted standing behind Mike. “How are you?” he asked.
“Tired.”
“Just rest.”
She gripped his hand. “I don’t want to sleep if…if the cure…doesn’t work…”
“Don’t think that way, honey. Just rest and get well.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” At least she thought she said the words before everything faded again.
****
Joe sat, watching Veronica sleep. She looked so peaceful, but he knew a battle raged inside her body. He sent up a silent prayer that she won that fight, then stood and pulled Mike aside. “Is she going to be okay?”
“I honestly don’t know, Joe. We’re dealing with an unknown virus, I don’t know how her physiology works, the cure is untested, and we aren’t even in a hospital where I could do tests.”
“Would it help if she had some blood?”
Mike blinked. “I have no idea. That’s part of that unknown physiology. Plus, I don’t know what the virus is doing to her.” He shook his head. “I really wish we were in a hospital.”
A spike of anger rose in Joe. “Where they would have no idea what to do for her, and I doubt they’d let you give her a concoction mixed up in a small, private lab by a vengeful murderer.” He glanced at Veronica. “And they sure as hell wouldn’t let me feed her my blood.”
Mike grasped his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m just spoiled by having all kinds of equipment and supplies available. It’s hard to get into the mode of an old country doctor who didn’t have a lot to work with, and with gaps in his knowledge that had the potential to hurt.”
Joe closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at his friend. “I’m scared.”
“I know.”
“No woman has ever stirred my feelings, my heart, the way she does. Ever.”
“She’s strong. She’s got an excellent chance.”
“I want more than that.” Joe turned and walked into the lab, where the others were waiting.
“Is she okay,” Kevin asked.
He nodded, noted the kid’s expression of relief, and went over to where Conner and the Guardian dude were standing. “I need to ask something.”
The Guardian, who Veronica had called Spencer, nodded. “What is it you need?”
“Would it help if she had some blood?”
Conner raised an eyebrow. “Are you volunteering?”
“Yes, of course,” Joe told him. “I’ll do whatever I can to help Veronica.”
“You really care for her.”
Joe looked into Spencer’s eyes. “Yes, I do.”
He seemed to study Joe for a moment before he spoke. “I’ll make a couple of phone calls, see if I can find out if blood would be a good idea.”
“Hurry.”
“I will.” The Guardian pulled out his cell as he turned away.
Joe went back to Veronica to hold her hand and wait. His watch told him it had only been a few minutes, his heart said hours were passing. Just when he thought he couldn’t stand the waiting one more second, Veronica’s hand tightened on his. Her eyes were closed, but through the link between them, he knew how glad she was that he was beside her.
Not long after that, Spencer came into the room. Joe eased his hand from hers and stood. They moved away from the couch.
“Did you find out anything?”
Spencer looked into Joe’s face, as if he gazed into his soul. “Our doctors are not certain blood would be beneficial, but they believe it might. They are in agreement that it won’t hurt her, and blood should help her build strength.”
“What do I need to do?” Visions of long fanged creatures blew through his head, and he pushed them away. This wasn’t a late-night creature feature.
Spencer had a little smile on his face that told Joe he probably knew what he was thinking. Hell, the man probably knew what he had for lunch yesterday.
“Relax,” Spencer said. “I’m not about to hurt a guy who’s helping a good friend of mine.”
They walked back to where Veronica lay. Spencer reached for Joe’s arm, shoved up his sleeve, and wiped a spot on Joe’s wrist.
He tried not to think about what Spencer was doing. “Have you known Veronica long?” Joe asked.
“About ten years. My brother’s an anthropologist, and they bonded over science when we all lived in Knoxville. We hung out together until life pushed us in different directions.”
He caught a glimpse of an object that
looked a lot like a small, sharp knife. Averting his gaze, he focused on helping the woman he loved.
“Look at me,” Spencer said. Joe decided he’d better do what the man with the sharp object said. For a second he was drifting. Spencer tugged his arm, and looked down to see Veronica touch her lips to his wrist. A wave swirled through of sensual, erotic tingling. This is wrong, he thought, and tried to push away the sensation.
“What you feel is normal,” Spencer said. “My brother calls it adaptive evolution. It helps us find willing donors, and thus assures our survival.”
“Isn’t the germ transfer dangerous?” Mike asked from the other side of the couch.
“No,” Spencer told him. “We are immune to most human germs, and our saliva transfers that to the donor area. The wounds are small, don’t get infected, and heal quickly.”
“Another adaptation,” Mike said, and Spencer nodded.
Joe watched the soft lips on his arm, and his gut knotted. “I can’t lose her,” he whispered.
“You won’t.” Mike sounded sure, and Joe wanted to believe that.
Spencer’s hand gripped Joe’s shoulder.
“Thanks for the support, both of you.”
A few minutes later, Veronica released his arm. Spencer wiped her mouth, then cleaned and bandaged Joe’s wound. Spencer and Mike went back into the lab area. Joe, grateful for the privacy, pulled a chair next to the couch and took Veronica’s hand in his.
****
Veronica’s body ached and her mouth was as dry as if it was filled with silica gel. She opened her eyes to find herself on the couch in Dr. Wright’s office. Though not surprised, she had hoped maybe the whole being kidnapped and stabbed with a syringe filled with a deadly virus thing was an evil dream fueled by too many pastries from Sweet Bea’s. Just the thought of a cherry pastry had her mouth watering.
Blinking to clear her vision, she shifted her position and there was Joe sprawled in a chair beside the couch, his hand holding hers, his body twisted so his head was beside her on the couch. She smiled and touched his soft dark hair.
A moment later, Joe raised his head. “Are you okay?” he asked.
She smiled. “I’m fine. Sorry to wake you.”
He stared at her for a moment, then touched the back of his fingers to her forehead. “You’re cool.”
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