by Jade Farhill
Trent paused. “Well, then. Perhaps we can continue this tomorrow night?”
He turned to look at her. His green eyes were open and inviting.
“No,” groaned Elliot. “Do it during the night shift, so they can put up with wanting to heave and rip her off you at the same time.”
Abby tried her hardest to ignore him. “Sounds good, Trent.”
His eyes lit up. “Same time?”
“No!” protested most of her guard unit.
“Same time.” Abby grinned at Trent.
Trent beamed, jumped up and kissed her on the cheek.
They both froze.
The hunters unsheathed their weapons, eyes going hard.
Trent quickly backpedalled, hand over his mouth. “Oh, god, I’m sorry. It was impulse. I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry.”
He left before Abby could say that she’d enjoyed it.
CHAPTER 17
Jen stormed into the refectory, Elliot trailing behind her—it was his rostered day off—looking like he’d lost a battle.
Abby’s lawyer marched straight up to her and slammed a document down on the table.
“Jen, what’s going on?” asked Trent from beside Abby—they hadn’t spoken about The Kiss, despite the regular massages.
Astrid stepped out from behind the counter, frowning.
“What’s going on is that Kenny wrote a note before he died. A note that the president has been suppressing.”
“Jen, don’t!” Elliot protested. “This isn’t what you think it is.”
“Isn’t it?” Jen snapped at him. “Because I think this is your president attempting to create animosity towards my client by implying that she was responsible for their deaths!”
The refectory fell silent.
“Is she?” asked Astrid in a small voice.
Liam the chef and most of his staff exited the kitchen, watching the interaction with interest.
“No!” shouted Jen. “Kenny says it right here, in his own handwriting, which has been verified as his, that The Horror was more powerful and smart than any of them thought and that’s how they were Turned!”
The hunters all looked at Abby with conflicted expressions.
“How do you know this?” Trent asked, reaching for the note and scanning it. “Wow, he even details how she destroyed their plan and what to expect the next time you confront her.”
“And if he wrote a report, then surely there were others who did too!”
“Where did you get this?” Abby asked.
“A copy was mailed to my office. It’s been there for weeks,” Jen said, her eyes flashing.
Abby put her hand over her mouth. This was him, saving her life like she’d saved his. “Kenny,” she whispered. “Why would you think of me?” Especially when he could have thought of his son instead. “Did he send something to Tay-Tay?”
“That’s none of your business,” said Elliot.
Well, that was probably true. But still … she’d worried about him.
“Why did he mail it to your office?” asked Trent.
“Because he probably thought—correctly—that the hunters wouldn’t pass on such a letter if he mailed it here,” Jen alleged.
“If it went to your office, how did you get it?” asked Liam.
“I went to pick up a few things in town over the weekend. My mail has been piling up.” Jen held the document aloft. “And I’ve made copies that I’ll tape to the walls if I have to! So spread the news, because I won’t allow my client to be under suspicion anymore!”
Jen had come through for her at last.
***
The hunters backed off after that.
Astrid and the Liam laughed and joked with Abby every time they saw her. Trent stayed his usual jovial self—even if he still hadn’t brought up the kiss. Jen and Elliot made up, and Jen made it clear that she would continue to protect Abby until she was proven guilty.
Things settled down.
Until Lynn came in late one morning, complaining of feeling sick.
The geneticist was producing a different smell to normal—one that Abby had only smelled coming off women in the maternity ward at the hospital.
Abby returned to work. Maybe she’d bring it up with Lynn at the end of her shift.
And throughout the day, the more Lynn’s scent wafted towards her, the more Abby was sure of her conclusion.
It had to be.
Finally, when all the scientists were leaving, Abby asked to speak to Lynn.
She agreed reluctantly, looking nervous. “Can Trent be a part of this conversation?”
The very man lingered at the door.
“It’s—” Abby sent an apologetic look at him “—a bit of a private matter.”
Trent raised his eyebrows. “I see,” he said, pain flashing across his face.
“It’s not about me!” Abby said quickly. “Or you.”
Trent shyly met her eyes, hope in his own.
“Then it’s about me?” Lynn asked, frowning at this exchange.
“Yes,” Abby replied. “It’s about you.”
“Spit it out, Vampire,” said Elliot.
“Shut it, Hunter,” snapped Trent.
“What have I done?” Lynn asked.
“You haven’t done anything. It’s …” Abby wished this could be a private conversation. How could she say this so the hunters didn’t understand? Maybe in Latin? “Primigravida.” She sent Lynn a meaningful look.
The geneticist frowned.
“Oh!” Trent said. “Wow, no wonder you didn’t want me here.”
“Why do you know what that means?” Elliot asked suspiciously.
“Because I’m a xenobiologist.” Then he widened his eyes and flicked an apologetic look at Abby and Lynn. “There are a few common terms we need to know.” He looked at his feet. “I’ll just be quiet now.”
“Does it mean the vampire’s going to attack her?” Elliot asked.
“No,” spat Trent.
“Then what does it mean?” asked Lynn, becoming frustrated.
Abby met Trent’s eyes. How else could they say this?
“Parturiency,” Trent said, using a different term for pregnancy.
“Zygote,” Abby added, saying the term for a fertilised human egg.
“Oooh, genetic jargon. Nice.” Trent nodded approvingly, then looked up at the ceiling. “Let’s see … is there another word for it?”
“This isn’t a game!” shouted Lynn.
Trent looked chastened. “Oh, um … sorry. I just … love science. I should go. Yeah, I’ll go.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” said Nina, placing a restraining hand on his shoulder. “Not until you tell us what this is about.”
“What are you going to do if I don’t obey you? Stab me?” Trent asked.
“No,” sneered Nina, “but I can make life miserable for you.”
“And that’s precisely why this is terrible news!” Lynn was sobbing, eyes darting to the exits—in a way Abby’s did whenever she felt trapped.
“What? Why is it terrible?” she asked.
Lynn’s breathing hitched. “It just is!”
Abby looked to Trent for help.
“Ah,” he said, brushing Nina’s hand off his shoulder. “Disorder?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” shouted Elliot.
“No. It’s worse,” sobbed Lynn.
Trent met Abby’s eyes, passing the job of finding out over to her. Abby shuffled on her feet. If it wasn’t a disorder that she was worried about, then what was it?
Abby looked at the geneticist’s clearly distraught face.
Did she want to be a parent?
Admittedly, she would be working around Abby—a known vampire—and perhaps the idea of being a parent wouldn’t suit her. Or it could have nothing to do with Abby.
But how could she ask that? “Er …” What was the surgical term for abortion? “Vacuum aspiration?”
“I can’t—it’s against my religion.�
��
Ah, so she didn’t want to be a mum but might need to be.
“Government … facility?” asked Trent.
As in, adopting the child out?
“Not if it came from here.”
Trent and Abby sighed.
“So basically, there’s nothing you can do?” asked Abby.
“We haven’t even touched on why this is bad,” said Lynn into her hands.
“You’re clearly upset about this,” Abby said. “Can you tell us why? And if not me, then can you tell Trent?”
Lynn turned to Trent. “Y-DNA.”
The chromosomes that come directly from the father? Was there a problem with the father of her child?
“My Y-DNA,” she said, pointing her herself.
Whoa, wait. The problem was with Lynn’s father?
“I’m not sure I can help with that unless I have the specifics,” Trent said. “And besides, I’m not exactly fit to handle it.” He gestured to the hunters surrounding them.
“God, this is getting frustrating,” muttered Elliot. “We know you’re not fit. You wouldn’t last more than a second if the vampire attacked you.”
“This is one of the worst conversations I’ve ever listened to,” grunted Nina. “I know they’re speaking English, but I can’t understand them.”
Abby, Trent and Lynn all relaxed.
“Hunter,” the geneticist said, holding her elbows.
Her father was a hunter? A hunter who probably didn’t take too kindly to an unwed, pregnant daughter. No wonder she was upset! Abby knew precisely how devious hunters could be. She swore quietly. “That’s a problem.”
“Exactly!” Lynn broke down into tears once more.
“All right, enough of this,” said Nina, stepping between Abby and Lynn. “You’re just making her upset.”
Abby sighed and moved to the door with Trent. What could she do?
Then it hit her—she could hear heartbeats from across the complex. If, for some reason, she heard two heartbeats, one smaller than the other, speed up, and then a scream, she might be able to help. Abby spun on her heel. “Me,” she said, pointing to herself. “I can.”
“Hunters,” Trent said as a warning. “Vampire hunters.”
“You’ve referred to us three times,” snapped Elliot. “I know you’re talking about us. Just speak English!”
Lynn scrutinised Abby for a long moment, deep in thought. “Agreed. You.”
“Call me,” Abby replied.
“Vampire hunters,” Trent said again, this time his eyes were imploring Lynn.
The geneticist met his eyes and nodded. “I’m asking Abigail Rormton, vampire scientist, to help me. When I call on her, know that she’s merely helping me and don’t try to kill her.”
“That’s as vague as it comes!” Trent shouted. “At least give them a general time it might happen.”
“That would give it away,” Abby said.
“Exactly,” Lynn replied. Then she focused on Abby. “I know you’re capable of keeping yourself alive. Let’s see if you’re capable of keeping us both alive.”
Abby smoothed her lab coat. Was it really a good idea to agree to this?
“You’re putting too much on her,” Trent said firmly.
“It’s fine,” Abby told him.
Lynn left.
Heavy silence fell on them.
“I know why you did that. But …”
“I know,” Abby whispered.
Trent sighed. “I’m sorry. I should support you. I want to support you.”
Abby smiled slightly up at him. “You don’t have to.”
He slung an arm around her and gently pulled her close to his chest. “But I want to.”
Abby froze. He was taller than her by a head and shoulders. She’d massaged those broad shoulders every night. And now here she was, standing closer to him than ever before.
And yet they still hadn’t spoken about that night when he’d kissed her cheek. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Saliva filled her mouth. What should she do?
Hug him back?
But would the hunters take that as a threat on his life?
In indecision, she swallowed.
A silver dagger appeared at her neck.
Trent jumped back. “What the hell is that for?”
Elliot, who was holding the dagger dangerously close to Abby’s skin, glared at him. “She swallowed.”
“She didn’t even move!”
“She swallowed—that’s a movement.”
“You know what? I’m taking this up with the president!” Trent stormed out of the room. “I’m sick of you all cornering me to give me lectures! I’m also sick of you interfering when there’s no reason!”
Suddenly, Abby had an idea why Trent had never brought up the kiss.
***
The end of the year arrived, and Jen and the scientists took a few weeks off. Even Trent left.
“I need to see my family,” he said apologetically as Abby walked him to the elevator. “If it weren’t for that, I’d stay here, with you.” He gave her a broad smile.
“Thank you,” Abby replied.
Trent looked over her shoulder. “Looks like the president is seeing me off.”
The hunters in her unit all looked down the hallway, giving them a brief moment of privacy.
Trent wrapped his arm around Abby’s waist, making her nerve endings tingle with pleasure.
“I’ll miss you,” he whispered, pulling her close.
“I’ll miss you too.”
He leaned close, eyes on her lips.
Abby took in a soft breath.
His mouth was millimetres away from hers—
“Bloody hell, Trent,” Elliot interrupted. “We’re here for your protection!”
Trent released her, a glimmer of mischievousness in his eyes, and mockingly saluted Elliot. “Have a good holiday!”
He winked at Abby and stepped into the elevator.
The doors closed, leaving Abby alone with her guard unit, her chest warm.
She turned around and went to the refectory.
Astrid approached Abby with a gleam in her eye. “I know a dreamy look when I see one.”
Abby sent her a close-lipped smile.
Astrid chuckled. “So, I take it Trent finally made a move?”
Elliot scoffed in the background. “Don’t get blinded by her human appearance, Astrid.”
“I can decide for myself who I want my friends to be, Elliot,” Astrid snapped.
Nina and Elliot exchanged a dark look.
I’m not completely alone, Abby thought, eyes on Astrid. “Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For being my friend.”
Astrid bumped her shoulder against Abby’s—a move that had most of the hunters in the vicinity reaching for their blades. “No worries. And besides, this means you can help me with my guy troubles.”
“I don’t think I’m the best to give you advice on that,” Abby chuckled.
“Maybe not, but I know there’s one thing you’re very good at, and that’s listening.”
“I guess you’re right,” Abby replied happily.
Astrid launched into a long, complicated story of the pubbing and clubbing level.
***
Back in the empty lab, Abby realised she no longer had the protection of Jen and Trent—not for the next few weeks.
And the hunters had broken their promises in the past.
Abby squashed the panic rising in her chest. Nothing would happen. And if it did, she could just contact Jen …
Abby shoved her fears aside and threw herself into her work. The sooner she created this cure, the sooner she’d be away from these treacherous people.
At about seven o’clock that night, a small and fast heartbeat approached her lab door.
What was a child doing out there?
Abby’s nostrils flared and her mouth filled with saliva. There was fresh blood outside her lab.
Blood she’d smelle
d before, when he’d tripped over in his haste to get to Kenny.
Tay-Tay was outside her lab door, bleeding.
Abby’s senses sharpened—she could smell exactly where his injury was. Blood was dripping from a nick in the palm of his left hand and off the dagger in his right.
He’d cut himself. He was challenging her.
“Heh,” Elliot said from outside, a smirk in his voice, “smart kid. Good to know you see through her act. You’re a true hunter.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve got your back,” said Nina.
A moment later, the scent of fresh blood, this time from all of her guards, filled her nostrils.
Abby froze.
Was this the president’s idea?
Or Tay-Tay’s?
Abby stayed locked in her lab.
After an excruciating half hour, Tay-Tay left.
Good riddance, she thought grouchily as soon as she heard him move away.
***
But Tay-Tay came back every night after that. Abby secluded herself away in her lab, only emerging every three days to get some blood.
Astrid missed her. “What’s going on?” she asked Abby a week later.
Abby flicked her eyes near the hunters in her guard unit. She couldn’t bring herself to look at them directly. Half the hunters she’d passed in the halls had cut themselves. Tay-Tay had started a covert harassment campaign against her, and it was catching on.
But Abby couldn’t say any of this while she was still unprotected and without Jen, and maybe even Trent. “I’m fine—it’s just … this is the first Christmas since Sharon Turned.”
Astrid covered Abby’s hand with her own, concern on her face. “Abby, I’m sorry. It must be so hard right now.”
“Well, it’s not like we celebrated Christmas or anything,” Abby replied, shrugging. “My whole family are atheists, so it was more of a family gathering than a religious event. But it was always nice to come together and eat, drink and be merry.”
Astrid chuckled. “I see. Well, if you’re not doing anything on the twenty-fifth, want to join me and the other kitchen staff for a celebration?”
It was only two days away. Abby perked up at the thought. “Yes, I’d love to.”
“Yay! And don’t worry about presents, we’ll just be eating, drinking and being merry.”
The thought of spending some extra time with her friends made it easier for Abby when she returned to her lab, smelling half the hunters she passed in the hallways as they cut themselves. And it felt easier to deal with Tay-Tay—although that nickname was too familiar and cute for a horror child. Perhaps she should start referring to him as something else?
