Dark Experiments

by Lana Campbell

  She blinked at him. Indecision seemed to war with common sense.”

  “I said go get it! Asa?” He glanced at his friend.

  “I got her.” He grabbed Charla by the upper arm and hoisted her to her feet. With the gun barrel flush to her spine, he escorted her out of the room.

  Christian spun around and began to tend to Tiffany. Down the hall, he heard two of the other men bark orders.

  “Lay down on the floor! Hands behind your head!”

  He could only assume they shouted at Katie. He just prayed she was the only one left in this monstrous ring.

  He tuned out the noise and focused on Tiffany’s heartbeat as he checked her blood pressure. As he assumed, it was dangerously low. His hands shook as he unstrapped her restraints. Normally, he always remained calm in a crisis situation, but this was Tiffany.

  Minutes later Nathan came into the room with Charla, who was now handcuffed. Christian knew Asa turned her over to him in order to help the other women who had probably been given lethal doses of morphine too.

  Nathan handed him a vial of Naloxone and a syringe. Charla had left the shunt from an IV in Tiffany’s right arm. He used it to get the antidote into her system pronto. Not trusting what might be in the half empty saline solution on the pole, he rifled through some drawers until he found a fresh unwrapped unit of saline drip. He had her hooked up in mere seconds because he moved around the room, her bed with vampire speed. Having done all he could for her at the moment he turned his attention back to Charla. Hopefully he’d just solved one of Tiffany’s problems, but now he had to solve the mystery of the serum.

  “Is there an antidote for this serum you been pumping into these women’s systems?”

  “No and I wouldn’t give you one if there were. I’ve worked too hard to give these unfortunate vampires their human lives back. I don’t expect you, a born vampire to see that as a noble thing, but these turned vampires will thank me some day. So, will the babies who will be born human instead of vile freaks of nature with an unholy lust for blood.”

  Christian’s fangs began to extend because his emotions were off the charts. He didn’t try to stave off the natural reaction. He wanted to scare the hell out of her. “I’m having a pretty unholy lust right now. You’d better start talking. List everything in that serum and what you know about reversing the affects.”

  “You wouldn’t dare bite me! Please. I’d rather die.”

  “That can be arranged, but don’t worry. I wouldn’t drink your blood if you were the last breathing human on earth, but I have no problem ripping out your throat if you don’t start talking and quick.”

  She swallowed hard several times, then said, “I didn’t create an antidote nor a plan to reverse the turning. The only thing I can think of would be vampire blood. I’ve been taking hers a unit at a time and replacing it with human blood over the last three days. Her red cell count is about eighty percent human. Eventually the serum would have destroyed the rest of her vampire red blood cells and altered her DNA prior to what it was before you turned her.”

  “No, it wouldn’t have you crazy bitch. I’m not going to get into a scientific argument with you, but that serum has done nothing but made these women sick. If Tiffany dies, I really will kill you. I may anyway.” He turned to Nathan and said, “Get her miserable ass out of here, but keep her close in case I need to ask her some questions. If you could find out how the other women are doing, I’d appreciate it.”

  “Not a problem. Just take care of Tiffany.”

  “You know I will.”

  He began immediately getting his blood into Tiffany’s body, fearing what he now did would be like turning her all over again. He’d have given anything to have her at the clinic. Unfortunately, he couldn’t move her yet. At least there were medical supplies in this heinous place.

  He’d just finished drawing a second unit of blood from himself when Asa walked in. He looked as forlorn as Christian felt. “Bring me up to date.”

  “The good news is our men captured Katie before she was able to give our two pregnant patients morphine. They’ve been heavily sedated for three days, but they’re awake and stable now. There are no signs the serum is making them sick like those two girls and Tiffany. Their vitals are good and both baby’s heartbeats are normal.” He glanced at the unit of blood in Christian’s hand and nodded. “I had the same notion. The life mates arrived about twenty minutes ago. All three women are receiving units of their mate’s blood as we speak.”

  “Okay. That’s good. So, what’s the bad news? Mrs. Jennings? Teresa. What about her?”

  “The real Katie got to her. I have her stabilized with the Naloxone but she’s still unconscious. The baby’s fine. Jesse, her life mate’s a mess, like the other men.”

  Christian related explicitly. “I can’t think of any reason they’d want to kill these women other than spite. Can you?”

  “No. We found them so they knew the gig was up. Leaving no witnesses, maybe? She may have thought dead people tell no tales. Maybe she thought she could escape this place and us somehow.”

  “What she had in mind is anyone’s guess. The woman is obviously mad.”

  Asa scratched his temple. “I’ll tell you, that brother of theirs is a strange one. He knew they’d try to kill all the women when they heard us busting down the doors. He was in the front of the building trying to protect those two young girls from Charla, not us. He had nothing good to say about that woman, but he made ample excuses for the feral one, Katie. The real Katie. This whole thing is just so bizarre. Apparently, they’ve done all this here and at the V clinic in order to make sure the serum was safe for Katie. You’re going to love this next one.”

  Christian sighed and looked at Tiffany, who should be starting to wake any time now. “No, I’m not. I’m so frustrated and disgusted we hired that insane woman I don’t think I’ll ever get over feeling guilty about that. But go ahead.”

  “The two sisters planned to market the drug for fledgling vampires and pregnant women who didn’t want their babies born vampires. They actually thought they could perfect the serum one day and offer it to all vampires because apparently in their minds all vampires have a secret longing to be human.”

  “Every species has advantages and disadvantages and all learn to cope both ways. They really are insane if they think vampires would be lining up to buy their stupid drug. I can’t understand how they thought it was working. Did the brother say if anyone ever tested a hundred percent complete for human blood?”

  “That would be negative, which is why he stopped giving it to his sister and the others about a week ago. Apparently, they were taking it orally and he was in charge of giving it to them at mealtimes. He thought the whole notion of turning vampires human was ridiculous and that the serum was making everyone sick, which it was. His sisters of course had no idea what he’d been doing.”

  Christian didn’t know what to make of that. He didn’t care right now. He just wanted Tiffany to be okay. He faced her, disgusted and furious over what she looked like and what she’d been through. Once this was over and Tiffany was well, all three siblings would be dealt with and severely.

  ***

  Tiffany didn’t want to wake up, but someone kept patting her hand and she heard a familiar, welcome voice, say, “Wake up, Darlin’. Open your eyes for me.”

  “Christian,” she muttered hoarsely. His deep, sexy Texas accented voice was stamped on her very soul, music to her ears. She entered the land of the living eagerly.

  She batted her eyes and glanced about a hospital room. Somehow, she wasn’t surprised. Since the day she’d went to work for Christian, she’d spent the majority of her time in one. Bad, recent memories started zipping around in her brain. She glanced about the room relieved to see it vacant of Charla, Katie or Terry.

  Christian stood beside her bed, holding her hand. That she liked because it warmed her insides like a gently roaring bonfire. If Christian was here smiling at her she knew she was in a safe place.
“Where am I?”

  “The V clinic hospital and you’re doing really well.”

  She let out a long, tired breath. “I’m taking it you got me out of there in one piece.”

  He smiled. “We did. I won’t lie to you. You were a very sick girl for about twenty-four hours, but I gave you my blood and some other treatments which aren’t important right now. The point is you’re much better. Your color is back. Your amber eyes are shimmering with brightness and life. All in all, you’re doing great and you look beautifully, perfectly whole to me.”

  “My head’s swimming though. It must be your sexy scent.”

  He laughed. “You’re definitely doing better.”

  “Just get me out of here and I’ll be stellar.” She felt a bit foggy headed, but otherwise, good. Tiffany was ready to go home. Preferably with Christian where she could recover privately, just the two of them. There was something to be said about having a doctor for a life mate. She grinned. “Seriously, Christian. Take me home. Our home. Wherever that ends up being.”

  “I will very soon, but right now come here.” He took a seat on the edge of the bed and cupped her cheek. “It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I’ve had you in my arms.”

  Tiffany sat upright and leaned into him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her so tight to his body she could barely catch a breath, but the embrace was so perfect.

  His familiar scent evoked treasured memories and such an array of warm, delicious emotions, primarily smoky desire. Every second they’d ever spent together from the first day she’d met him so many years ago until now, flit through her mind like a collection of photographs spinning at warp speed on a projector wheel.

  Then he made her homecoming complete. He kissed her, loved her mouth with a sizzling hot possessiveness that melted into the very core of her soul branding her his for eternity. She grabbed his head and put every ounce of her love into that steamy kiss. She felt the evoked emotions rain into both their hearts, entwine and become one which caused them both to shed tears. The drops mingled together on their cheeks and lips, the salty taste so warm and dear, it just made Tiffany cry more.

  The kiss was so perfect the moment could have gone on forever if applause hadn’t penetrated their cocoon of ecstasy. Christian finally released her and they turned their attention toward the entrance where her entire family had gathered inside the room. Even the kids clapped, each grinning and shouting woots or cheers for her and Christian’s reunion.

  “What an awesome family I have.” She sniffled, wiped her cheeks and looked up at Christian just as he took her free hand. “What an awesome you I have too.”

  He grinned and backhanded the tears on his own face. “I love you, Baby. The way I feel right now I never want to let you out of my sight again.”

  “Well the way I feel right now, that’s alright with me. Of course within the rules of personal boundaries and such. You know how I feel about the remote.”

  He chuckled. “Whatever boundaries you want are fine with me just so you know that from today forward you’re mine forever. And one of these nights soon you’ll be mine in every way. Any problems with that?”

  Tiffany twisted her lips into a thoughtful purse. “Kind of.”

  He appeared disappointed, making her feel bad for teasing with him. She squeezed his hand and whispered, “I don’t want to wait until one of these nights. How about tonight.”

  That put the smile back on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Sounds perfect after a few hours with your family first. They’ve been just as sick with worry as I have.”

  He hitched his head toward her grinning gang who watched their happy reunion. One that every single-family member had been praying to happen for days she was sure.

  She looked up at Christian and shrugged. “Okay, but tonight’s ours.”

  He pulled her back into his arms and said, “Exclusively.” Christian kissed her again, sweeping her back into the place she loved most in the world. His heart.

  Chapter 26

  Christian released Tiffany from the V clinic hospital around four that afternoon. Mia planned a cake and punch reception at the Davenport home in honor of her release. Later he planned to take her to his own home, but this was family time and much needed for every member.

  He sat his empty cake plate on the coffee table and tuned into Tiffany’s conversation with Chelsie.

  “So, when do you start officially at the V clinic, Chels? I’m sure your help was a huge relief to Christian, Asa and Noah while they were tied up hunting for me and their patients.”

  “We couldn’t have managed without her. Truly,” Christian said.

  Chelsie shared a smile between him and Tiffany. “Thanks, Christian. I loved it. I have to say being there these last few days was a relief to me too. I was doing something positive and fruitful which took the edge off worrying myself sick about Tiffany. I did anyway. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you sitting there.”

  “No one more than me and Christian. I prayed constantly you’d be alright. Still I was a nervous wreck,” Mia told them, then dabbed her mouth with a paper napkin. She sat on a matching red velvet Victorian sofa across from him and Tiffany between Nathan and Chelsie. Dannie and Dominic sat in Victorian era armchairs to the right of Tiffany working on their own cake.

  “It is good to have you home, TJ. You look great by the way.” Dannie said, smiling.

  She did look good, Christian thought. He hadn’t told her and never would that she’d been at death’s door because of both the serum and the morphine. Giving her his blood had been the magic antidote against Charla’s serum. Her coloring was perfectly beautiful and her eyes were bright and sparkled again. Her blood work showed only trace amounts of the deadly substances in the serum. The same went for his three patients and the two girls they’d rescued. He’d admitted them to the V clinic hospital for treatment and some much-needed vampire blood provided by their life mates. Tiffany’s journey had been hell, but those poor girls had been in Charla’s clutches for weeks. He pitied them. They were now healthy physically, but their soul scars may take years to heal.

  “Thanks Dannie and thanks to all of you for helping find me. It was a scary ride, but it’s over and I’m happy to be back and feeling like me again.” Nathan sat his empty paper plate on the coffee table. “Well, put me down as third on the worry list right behind Christian and Mia because I felt every hideous emotion Mia felt, then there were my own. I’ve grown quite fond of your sharp tongue and shady poker skills.”

  “Hey, I play a fair and square game. I’m just better at bluffing than you.”

  Nathan chuckled. “That you are.”

  “So when will David be released from the hospital? Has anyone heard?” Tiffany asked.

  Nathan nodded and gave her a bolstering smile. “Tomorrow morning. The bullet nicked his collarbone and caused some muscle damage to his left shoulder, but he’ll be fine in a few months.”

  “I think I’m going to miss him. He did make a kick ass personal assistant.” She turned slightly to face Christian and twisted her lips into a pensive pout for a second. “I know everyone’s been trying to avoid this topic, but I want to know what’s going to happen to Charla, Katie and Terry. Where are they?”

  Nathan and Christian shared an uncomfortable glance. Nathan answered. “They’re in custody awaiting trial.”

  “What do you mean custody? The cops or private custody? And are you talking about some sort of vampire trial?”

  Nathan seemed uncomfortable with explanations and Christian understood why. All three would be facing death sentences for their actions.

  “Currently, they’re in far more comfortable conditions than you endured, I assure you.”

  Tiffany snorted. “As far as I’m concerned you should handcuff Charla and Katie together, give them crackers and water and a five-gallon bucket to go in. They’re both hideous. Their brother Terry was more of a victim than an instigator. I know Christian told you the details and I h
ope you’ll go a little easier on him.”

  Nathan nodded. “Justice will be served fairly, Tiffany and it’s not up to me. They’ll go before a vampire court with a judge and jury of their peers. Some will be humans who are part of our world, other vampires. They’ll get a proper trial but all will most likely be found guilty.”

  “What kind of sentence are we talking?”

  Christian shared another uncomfortable look with Nathan because vampire justice was far more stringent than the human court system.

  Nathan shot straight though. “They’ll all probably be found guilty of murder and attempted murder which brings an automatic death sentence. One is a feral, Tiffany. You know our ways. Ferals can’t be allowed to live in our communities.”

  She nodded. “Right now, as outraged as I am about what Charla and Katie did to me and those other people I say let the chips fall where they may, but not with Terry. He should be given a lesser charge. He did what he did for his sister. To save her from being a feral vampire the rest of her life. At least that’s what he thought he was doing. Initially, he believed Charla’s serum would save Katie, then when she started getting sick like everyone else, he stopped giving it to her and the others too. He’s a very angry person and he hates vampires, but he never meant for anyone to be killed. I know he kidnapped numerous innocent vampires, but he did it to help Katie.”

  While Christian could appreciate Tiffany’s compassion, he could never dismiss the fact he’d abducted innocent females of their kind for his sister’s dangerous experimentations. “I know you feel sorry for him, Darlin’, but he still committed crimes. He has to be held accountable for them.”

  Tiffany shook her head. “He did some bad things, no doubt, but he isn’t evil. I talked to him quite a bit. He felt bad, sick in fact for the things Charla forced him to do. That may not go over in a vampire court of law, but they can’t kill him. It’s not right. Granted he was an accomplice to Charla’s cause, but death is way too severe of a punishment.”