Part 32 (2/2)

We have heard about this, Herm said.

”We're doing our best to study them,” Matthew said. ”To find a way of improving the quality of their lives, since they're dangling between vampire and animal. If this species was created genetically, then can the experiment not be reversed in some way? I don't have the technology to do it. If Luci pa.s.sed on the knowledge of how to undo the results of these experiments, then it was destroyed. When the scientist keeping Sage realized his evil was being uncovered, he obliterated all physical evidence of his work, including everything Luci gave him. Now that the scientist himself is dead, we've been trying to piece together what he did with the hope of helping these creatures.”

You have a very personal reason for your dedication, do you not? Sheb held Matthew's eyes.

”Yes. I have a very close friend who was involved in the experiments. His wife was also involved. Both were genetically altered so they took on the wolves' characteristics. My friend, Judah, was actually improved. He has the strength and intelligence of a vampire and the stamina and regenerative powers of the wolves. His wife did not fare so well. She's a grotesque combination of both-no longer a woman, not quite a wolf. I swore to Judah I would do all in my power to help her. I haven't been able to do a thing.”

You want us to help her, Herm said.

”Yes.”

We cannot give you that technology, Sheb said. Not because we don't trust you, but because if that information ever got into the wrong hands - as it did with the scientist who tortured Sage and your friend's wife - the destruction would be unfathomable.

”What about Judah and his wife, Leah?” Matthew could scarcely control his anger. ”How can you know they're suffering and do nothing when you have the power to give them their lives back?”

You have a giving soul, Herm told Matthew. That is the best part of who you are, not your brilliance or your physical strength. You genuinely care for all creatures, Matthew Winter.

”If you say that's a quality I have that you admire, then how can you expect me to understand why you won't help Judah?”

Seraphim felt Matthew's rage and despair, and he understood it, though he also knew the Originals spoke the truth.

Isn't there something you can do? Seraphim asked.

Sheb lifted an eyebrow. You're questioning this, Sera? You saw first hand the destruction that ensues when power falls into the wrong hands.

For ten thousand years, Yve always done as you asked, Seraphim said. All I ask from you is to help Matthew if you can.

Herm said, Matthew is brilliant enough to find their cure himself, provided he has the time. Yes, it may take him millennia, but - ”Millennia!” Matthew's eyes widened. ”If you could only see what Luci's interference-the interference of one of your kind-has done to them, it might not be so simple for you to sit there and do nothing!”

”Matthew!” Seraphim snapped. ”I didn't bring you here for a shouting match!”

Vm sorry, Matthew drew a deep breath and, for the first time, spoke using telepathy-something he had never cared for. Seraphim knew the scientist liked the human quality of verbal speech. I realize how I must appear, a young Immaculate making demands of you, butVma doctor. If I can find ways to help living beings - vampire, human, or wolf- I will do whatever it takes to gain such knowledge.

We have heard what you said to us, Sheb told him. And we have taken your request seriously.

Will you think it over? Matthew asked. Please?

You have our word, Herm said. But don't waste what time we have. There are other questions we can answer, other knowledge we possess about the physical make up of all species of vampires, and other cures for maladies that may strike our kind.

Oh, yes. Matthew opened the briefcase he held and tugged out his laptop computer. You don't mind if I type this?

Record however you like, Herm said.

”Do you mind if I stay?” Sage asked Matthew.

The doctor looked sheepish. ”I'm sorry, Sage. I should be asking if you mind if I intrude?”

As Sage and Matthew fell into conversation with Herm and Sheb, Seraphim guided Hannah out of the cave and into a long tunnel.

”They're going to be a while,” he said.

”Matthew and Sage are so happy. You made this possible, Seraphim.”

”I'm starting to feel a little guilty. I probably should have done it sooner, but I was always so fearful of something going wrong, of them not having the chance to return to their own world, if that world itself still exists. That's why the Originals left to populate other worlds. For some reason, they were dying out. Fewer and fewer children were being born. Some left to seek other ways to populate. When they discovered they could mate with humans by bite, and then the humans could create other vampires through bite and also by normal conception, they thought their search was over. They didn't count on humans' innate violence.”

”Luci wasn't human, and he was as violent as the rest of us.”

”That's true. He-and any others like him-were a disgrace to his kind. But I didn't bring you here to continue discussing Luci.” He smiled as they stepped into another cave. Though small, it was comfortably furnished with a black carpet and a large trunk. Several enormous black and brown cus.h.i.+ons were scattered across the floor.

”This is where I stay when I'm down here,” Seraphim said.

”I like it.” Hannah approached the trunk and ran her hand over the carved lid. ”It's beautiful. Black oak?”

He shook his head. ”It's made from dried Deep Red.”

”Must be a pretty big plant. For some reason I imagined it to be small.”

”It ranges in size.” He placed his hands around her waist and tugged her to his chest, nuzzling her neck.

Snuggling closer to him, she asked, ”If Deep Red exists, then none of us really have to drink blood, either from humans or each other.”

”No. As Matthew will find out from Herm and Sheb, Deep Red only sustains Originals, though all species of vampire seem to love its taste and scent. For some reason, Immaculates still need the blood of hybrids, and hybrids need the blood of humans or other vampires.”

”Then it's okay that I enjoy hunting?” she asked. ”Though I don't know why they call it hunting. I haven't killed anyone.”

”It's an old term.” He ran his lips across the top of her head. ”And it's fine to like hunting. I'm glad you do. Blood sharing can be so pleasurable for both parties involved-if done correctly.”

Hannah turned and curled her fingers in his hair as they kissed. I love you so much, he told her. Show me.

She purred as he pulled her onto the rug and rolled her onto her back so her head rested on one of the cus.h.i.+ons.

”Where are you going?” Hannah raised herself onto her elbows when Seraphim left her to crawl, leopard-like, to the trunk. He opened it and removed a soft brown blanket and a bottle of scented oil. Glancing over his shoulder, he said, ”Take off your clothes.”

Hannah complied without hesitation, though her eyes never left his. He returned to her and undressed.

”On your stomach,” he ordered.

Hannah growled-a very s.e.xual sound-as she obeyed. Seraphim couldn't keep his eyes from her smooth, bare back and b.u.t.tocks as he opened the bottle and poured some of the oil into his palms. He rubbed his hands together, warming the oil, before kneeling beside her and ma.s.saging the potent liquid into her shoulders and arms.

She moaned with pleasure as his hands swept her back and kneaded her b.u.t.tocks. He squeezed both firm, full globes before rubbing the oil into her thighs, the backs of her knees, and her calves. He took first one foot in his hand, then the other, his thumbs rubbing her arches, his fingers ma.s.saging each toe.

”G.o.d, that oil smells so good,” she breathed. ”What kind is it?”

His fingers slid down the crack in her bottom, reaching under her to fondle her c.l.i.t then her p.u.s.s.y as he leaned close to her ear and whispered, ”Deep Red.”

She turned onto her elbows, her eyes glazed with pa.s.sion. ”It's almost like an aphrodisiac.”

<script>