Breed of Innocence (The Breed Chronicles, #01)

by Jordan, Lanie

  “You should talk to him about this, Jade. You want answers and he might have some.”

  Would I be here if my mom hadn’t been an agent? Would Greene have sought me out otherwise? They weren’t questions I had answers to, and I couldn’t even say if they really needed answered. Would it really change anything if I had them?

  “Maybe,” I repeated. “But I should probably wait until I can talk to him without yelling or punching him in the nose.”

  Linc gave me a serious look and a nod. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Hitting him probably wouldn’t be smart.” He grinned ear to ear. “Of course, if you would have done it before you found out you weren’t dying, then you might’ve gotten away with it. But now? Not a chance.”

  I tossed my hands in the air. “See? You’re supposed to tell me these things sooner.”

  “I’ll remind you the next time you almost die.”

  “Don’t even joke about that. I’ve had two close encounters in less than three months. That’s more than enough for at least a few years.”

  Linc got to his feet and held out his hands for me. “Come on. You should go get some rest and let me do the same. Mornings suck.”

  I made a pfft sound. “Payback, Stone. Payback.”

  He glared, making me laugh.

  When we were back inside, with an actual floor beneath us, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Linc.”

  He gave me a soft, lop-sided smile. “You’re welcome, Jade. Anytime.”

  *~*~*

  Instead of going to my room for more sleep, I went back down to the second floor to find Doc. I wanted to thank her for her help, and maybe apologize for being mean. (Though I still thought I was in the right—or at least not entirely wrong.)

  I knocked on her door again, but this time no one answered. Was she asleep, maybe? I didn’t even know what time it was, but it’d been only an hour since I’d last seen. I’d look for her in the main infirmary on the first floor, and if she wasn’t there, then I’d just talk to her another time.

  I rode the elevator down to the first floor, and as I headed toward the infirmary, slowed my pace. While I wanted to see Doc, I was half-afraid I’d find Doctor Asshat. Or Greene. Despite Linc’s suggestion, I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk to him just yet.

  Holding my breath, I pushed the doors open and went inside. Empty. I turned back and made it maybe ten steps before Doc rounded a corner. She spotted me, gave me an unsure smile. “Hi.”

  “Hey.”

  “Are you feeling okay?” she asked when she reached me.

  If that’s not a loaded question... “I’m not dying, so that’s good.”

  “I’m sorry about…everything. I should have told you the truth about the bite.”

  As mad as I’d been before about her hiding things from me, I couldn’t stay that way forever. Well, I could, but it would’ve been pointless. And stupid. She’d only been following orders, and she had figured out what was wrong. I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Well, you did figure out I wasn’t dying or turning into a vampire, so I guess that lets you off the hook. Doctor Asshat was probably getting ready to have me decapitated or something.”

  The sides of her mouth twitched. “I can see why you might be mad at him, but he really is an exceptional doctor. He’s one of the CGE’s best.”

  “Yeah, well, he’s also an exceptional ass.” I was angry, and not just for myself but for her. “He treated you like crap.”

  “We all shared the same thought, Jade. We were all sure what was wrong with you and what would happen. It wasn’t until I ran the original blood work that I found out differently.”

  “Either way, you did run it. And even then, he didn’t believe you or want to listen to you. And he didn’t even want us to listen to you.”

  “What I did wasn’t standard protocol.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “And being an ass is standard protocol?”

  She tried for a stern look, but it fell flat because I saw her struggle not to grin. “He’s still a good doctor. I only did what I did because I was grasping at straws, trying to think of something—anything—that might help.”

  “Well, I’ll stick with you. With or without a doctor degree. You probably saved my life.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “No?” I crossed my arms over my chest and fixed her with a hard look. “What’s standard protocol for vampire bite victims? What’s standard protocol for someone who’s turning into one?”

  “Quarantine for victims until they die and destruct—” She broke off, shook her head. “They wouldn’t have killed you.”

  “They might have, with Doctor Asshat leading the way. And I would have let them.” Turning into a vampire wasn’t an option. Just because some crazy writers wrote vampires as soul-having creatures, they weren’t. And I didn’t—and wouldn’t—want to be one. “I’m not saying he’s a bad doctor.” Only I was. “But he didn’t even try to listen to you. He didn’t want to.”

  “They would have discovered the truth eventually.”

  “So? Even then, he probably would’ve wanted me quarantined or something. And fine, even if you didn’t save my life, you saved my sanity.”

  “I’m glad I helped. But I am still sorry I kept it from you.”

  “I know. And seriously, thanks for everything. I actually came to find you, so I could tell you that. Real doc or not, you’re my favorite. And I think you know that’s a compliment when I pretty much hate anyone with that title.”

  “Thanks. I’m glad you’ll be fine, Jade.”

  “Me, too.” And because I seemed to be in a hugging mood, I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed. “I’m going to go get some sleep, so I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  “No problem.”

  Before I’d even gone a full step, she called me back. “Yeah?”

  “I almost forgot. Greene’s looking for you. He said if I saw you, to tell you he’d like to speak with you.”

  I groaned. So much for avoidance. “Okay.”

  “I’m going to try for some sleep. It’s been a long few days.”

  I hadn’t realized it before, but now that I was paying attention, she looked really tired. Her hair was all messy and there were circles under her eyes. “Have you slept any?”

  “I caught a few hours earlier, or maybe that was yesterday.” She shrugged. “I’ll get some now.”

  “Thanks again, Doc. I mean it.”

  She smiled. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you later, okay?”

  Silently, I watched her go. She was a good friend and a good non-doctor type doctor person. Since she’d worked so hard to find a way to save me (whether I actually needed it or not), it pushed her to my second favorite person here—despite her would-be profession. Though, since her would-be profession was what saved my life (or my sanity), I wasn’t sure I could complain about it anymore. Sure you can—you just have to be nice to Doc.

  I stood there for another minute. Doc might’ve been a good person, and I might’ve forgiven her for her deception, but Greene was another story entirely. Greene wanted to see me. Again. But I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk to him, not just yet.

  You can either go now, or he might track you down later.

  I sighed. Sometimes I really hated having logical moments.

  I muttered to myself and headed for Greene’s office. His secretary wasn’t there, so I stared at his door for a full minute before I knocked. If he gives me any more bad news, I might seriously hurt him.

  When he called out ‘come in’, I opened the door and stepped inside. He looked up in surprise. “Miss Hall.”

  I didn’t move away from the door until he gestured for me to take a seat. “Doc said you wanted to see me?”

  “I did, though I’m afraid I should have been clearer. This could have waited. I didn’t think she’d see you before you managed to get some rest.”

  “Now’s fine.” Because the longer I put it off, the longer I have to dread over it.

 
He inclined his head. “I take it Mr. Stone found you without trouble?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m glad. I hope you’re not upset with me for sending him, but I figured with everything that has gone on this past week, and given our…discussion…that you could have used someone else to talk to.”

  “I did. Thanks.”

  He rested his hands on his desk and sat up straighter. “I apologize for not telling you about your family sooner.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I wanted to give you time to adjust to being at the CGE. After confirming—or reconfirming, as the case may be—your thoughts on demons, I figured that was enough of a shock for a while.”

  My hands balled into fists. “You should have told me then.”

  He leaned back. “Perhaps. However, that information is classified.”

  “They were my parents.”

  “Yes, they were. And since they were your parents, don’t you think it should have been their decision to tell you? Don’t you think if your mother had wanted you to know about her past—or your father’s—that she should have been the one to tell you?”

  I opened my mouth to argue then snapped it shut again. I hated to admit it, but he was right. My mom should have told me. About the CGE, the treatments.

  About my father.

  But she hadn’t. Instead, she’d left me in the dark. I scrubbed my hands over my face when angry tears had my eyes heating.

  “I had planned on telling you,” he said, his tone soft.

  “When? When you thought I was dying? When you thought I might be turning into a vampire? You only told me because you had no choice.”

  “No?” He gave me a stern look. “Between myself and Dr. Hamilton, you really don’t believe we could have found another way around telling you the truth?”

  “Maybe,” I said begrudgingly.

  “We could have, and I think you know it. However, I am sincerely sorry that you had to find out this way and that I couldn’t have told you sooner.”

  “Wouldn’t. There’s a difference.”

  He nodded his head. “This is true. But as I said before, that information is classified. Just because they were your parents, it doesn’t mean I was obligated to tell you. Very few people know the names of CGE agents or employees. I realize what we do isn’t exactly national security, but the identities of our agents—retired, inactive, or those who’ve passed—is still valuable information, and we can’t risk it getting out.”

  “I wouldn’t have told anyone.”

  “Not even Mr. Stone?”

  “I told him,” I admitted. “But I didn’t tell anyone else and I don’t plan to. You knew I’d talk to Linc about it, because you sent him to find me. And you never told me not to tell anyone. If you didn’t want him to know, you should have—”

  “I’m not mad at you for discussing it with him. As you said, I never told you not to. I have no problem with Mr. Stone knowing. He’s been here long enough to know what should or shouldn’t be private information.”

  “If you didn’t think I had a right to know, then why did you tell me?”

  “Whether I like it or not, some things are harder to keep secret. There are people who still work for the CGE who knew your mother. You resemble her. That hasn’t gone unnoticed among the staff. I was afraid someone might inadvertently comment on that resemblance, and I didn’t want you to find out that way.”

  “Oh.”

  “You’ve had a harder time here than most in your dealings with Miss Fitzgerald and demons, even harder than most who’ve been here years longer. I had hoped telling you about her might…ease your mind somehow.”

  I let out a half-laugh. “Yeah, finding out my mom lied to me for most of my life is real mind-easing.”

  His eyes flashed. “And that reaction is one of the reasons why I almost didn’t tell you. Because I was afraid this was how you’d react.”

  “How else am I supposed to react? She didn’t tell me anything! She made vague hints about monsters, but she never told me about demons, and that’s what killed her!”

  “Your mother did what she thought was best, Jade. I didn’t tell you this so you would second-guess yourself or your her. I told you because I believed you had a right to know.”

  I slumped in the chair. “Sorry.”

  “Your apology isn’t needed. I imagine your day has been stressful, even after finding out that you’re not dying or turning into a vampire.”

  I nodded my agreement. After a minute of silence, I said, “Did you know the treatments would have affected me? Before you recruited me, I mean.”

  “No, I didn’t. I didn’t even begin to suspect it until they believed you were turning into a vampire.” His tone was slow, like he was carefully picking each word. “But suspecting and knowing are two different things. You suspected demons were real, but until you’d seen them with your own eyes, you weren’t sure. You pointed that out to me yourself.”

  “How didn’t you know? Doc had my blood since that first day.” And more of it every week since I’d joined. “And she mentioned DNA tests.”

  “The DNA test is a standard run that looks for genetic problems. The more extensive tests aren’t preformed until someone is in line to receive the genetic treatments. As for the blood tests, they’re looking for specific things. There isn’t one test that tells us everything—just like there isn’t one cure for every disease or illness. Testing for vampire anti-bodies is rarely—if ever—done on someone who hasn’t been bitten by one. These aren’t anti-bodies that people generally have unless they’ve been bitten. Or, in your case, have had them passed down by a parent.”

  “But when I was dying—or when they thought I was dying—why didn’t you mention it or at least talk to Dr. Hamilton about it.”

  “Because everything you experienced was normal for a vampire bite victim, so I never considered anything else.”

  “Until the bite healed itself?”

  “Exactly. Then, when Miss Jones mentioned you had vampire DNA already, the proverbial light bulb turned on. Until that time, I had no way of knowing if your parents’ DNA had been passed down. It’s never been tested before. As far as we know, you are the first child from agents who have had the genetic treatments.”

  “Oh.” I thought about that for a minute. “Are the treatments responsible for the other stuff?”

  Greene raised an eyebrow. “What other stuff?”

  “Like, my memory thing or the healing thing?”

  “I can’t say if the treatments would have had any affect on your memory, but I suppose it is possible. What healing thing are you referring to?”

  “Like, the first day I was here. The demon squeals made my ears bleed, but when Doc checked them out, she said they were a little red but that was it. And there’s never any sign that she’s drawn blood, even right after. Oh.” I leaned forward. “And I’ve never had any bruises that weren’t gone within a day. Ever.”

  He tilted his head to the side. “I was curious about the bruises.” He turned his head to the side for a few seconds. “Rapid healing could be a benefit of the treatments. Perhaps Doctor Hamilton will know.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk to him.”

  “You won’t have to. But now that you’ve brought it to my attention, I am curious, as I’m sure he’ll be.”

  “As long as I don’t have to talk to him.”

  Greene smiled at me. “You won’t.” He rose from his desk and walked over to his window, looked out. “That first day, when I went to pick you up, I almost told you about your mother then.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “Because I believe what we do here is important.” Slowly, he turned around. “And I believe it’s important that we choose people who genuinely want to be here, who want to help us for the right reasons. I was afraid if you knew about your parents immediately, that you would have based your decision on that fact alone. The CGE runs smoothly. I believe part of that is due to the fact th
at we keep people who want to be here—not just those with the skills needed or those with outside connections. A lot of the Prospects aren’t quite there yet. They, like you, typically have only one goal in mind: to find the demon that hurt them in some way. They’re making progress, and as more time passes, I believe they’ll see past their own goals and fully realize that we, as whole, want the same thing.”

  “I get it.” I didn’t necessarily want to, but I did. It made sense. “But I would have joined, with or without you telling me about my mom and dad. My reasons for being here haven’t changed. A demon still killed my family, I still want to find it, and I still want it dead. And I do want to help other people. None of that has changed.” Some of the details had changed, but the goal didn’t. It stayed the same.

  “I know you’re upset with me. For that I apologize.”

  “I am.” I didn’t try arguing with him, because it would have been a lie. “I’m mad at my mom, too, for never mentioning any of this or telling me about my dad. And…I’m just mad in general, I guess.”

  “Understandable. Though I hope you hold no ill feelings toward Miss Jones. I know you must feel betrayed by her actions. However, please keep in mind that it was my decision to keep the truth from you, and not hers. She argued against it.”

  “I’m not mad at her anymore.” Even if she hadn’t discovered what was (or wasn’t) wrong with me, the fact that she hadn’t just written me off like Dr. Asshat meant a lot to me.

  He smiled. “I’m glad.”

  I sat quietly for another minute, then asked, “Is she—my parents, I guess—the real reason I was recruited?”

  On the first day I’d joined, he’d given me reasons about why he’d recruited me, but now, with discovering both of my parents had been CGE agents, I wasn’t sure what Greene’s real reasons were anymore, or if the ones he’d given me were even the truth.

  “I won’t lie and say it had nothing to do with my decision, because it did.” He stood and walked around to my side of the desk, leaned against it. “Your mother is one of the reasons we sought you out. She’s also one of the main reasons we discovered you in the first place. But having the right DNA, or even demon hunting parents, doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be recruited. As I’ve said before, the DNA is the first thing we look for, but it’s far from being the deciding factor. If I hadn’t believed you had potential, I wouldn’t have offered you the chance to join.”