Blood Legacy: The House of Alexander (27 page)

Susan shook her head. “It can’t be. It’s impossible.” She gestured to the charts. “And yet it is. I was afraid that I had mixed the samples, so I recreated the experiment three times. I am certain if I took your blood today, your mitochondrial DNA profile would still be identical to Victor’s, although you are both apparently undergoing random mutations.”

“Is it possible that they are not random, but rather by design?” Ryan asked.

“I thought about that. I think the overall strategy, i.e. the implementation itself is by design, but the mutations are completely random. Although I haven’t isolated the exact mechanism, the exact trigger for the mutation, I do know what is occurring.”

Susan again stood, returning to her charts. “It is a three-pronged attack, and Victor’s system is capable of withstanding one, perhaps two of the attacks, but is folding under all three.” She pointed to a profile. “The DNA is mutating, and the mutations are not beneficial, which is attack number one. Under normal circumstances his system would simply repair the damage. But the rapid mutation is creating a domino affect, damaging other nearby cells and lessening their ability to create the energy to recover, which is attack number two. And the damaged cells are creating additional free radicals, which are in turn creating their own mutations, which is attack number three.”

Ryan was perplexed. “I still don’t understand how apparently random mutations are occurring identically within our bodies when there is no physical connection.”

Susan shook her head. “I don’t understand, either. I don’t have anything to compare it to.”

The two were silent for a long moment, then Ryan spoke.

“Maybe it has less to do with microbiology and more to do with physics,” Ryan quietly mused.

Susan raised an eyebrow as Ryan continued.

“I read about a very odd phenomenon that has been observed numerous times. Paired electrons spin in opposite directions, and when one reverses its spin, the other reverses as well. It doesn’t matter how far apart the electrons are, they always seem to know what the other is doing, whether they are inches from one another, miles from one another, or clear across the universe from one another.” Ryan was thoughtful. “I find it a very elegant phenomenon.” She shook her head. “That still doesn’t explain why I am not being affected as my father, or why it is taking longer.”

Susan was apologetic. “I am so sorry, Ryan. I just don’t know. And I’m still not sure what has been the trigger for the rapid mutation, whether there has been some sort of radiation damage, some external agent…”. Her voice drifted off, her frustration evident.

Ryan placed her hand on Susan’s shoulder, and Susan was surprised by the comforting gesture. It was also an incredible shock to her system.

“You have already done so much for my father and I. And you have given me some sort of hope.”

Susan looked up at her uncertainly.

Ryan examined the charts. “This theory gives credence to your other theory about my father hibernating. If his system is as intelligent as it seems, then perhaps it did go into stasis to limit his need for energy.”

Susan hadn’t considered that, and nodded slowly. “Yes, limiting the body’s need for energy would slow down the entire destructive process.”

Ryan nodded. “Then that would mean that the condition that he is in is not a result of the damage being done…”

“But rather a response to it,” Susan said, finishing the sentence. She looked to Ryan with concern. “But then that would mean that your body will begin to take that route as well, to protect itself.”

Ryan’s expression was resigned. “Then that means I am running out of time.”

CHAPTER 16

THE HANDSOME YOUNG MAN WAITED in the shadows. The beautiful girl said she would meet him here, and he waited anxiously for her. Although he attracted many of his Kind, there seemed to be something special about her, something different from the self-absorbed crowd he was used to. He was taking a great chance, inviting her to such a secret gathering, but he desperately wanted to impress her. Introducing her to the Old Ones, or at least, what he considered to be Old Ones, would hopefully make her wish to keep his acquaintance.

He shifted from foot to foot, thinking of her. God she was beautiful, with golden hair and eyes that changed from blue to green to gray depending on her mood. He thought she might be American, although she spoke French fluently. He had no idea how old she was, but thought she might be close to his century mark. That would make them some of the youngest ones at this gathering. He frowned slightly. That would be dangerous. Still, he thought, she really wanted to come to the gathering.

His heart jumped as he saw her approach, and he rushed to take her hand.

“Bonsoir, comment ca va?”

“Ca va,” she responded, “Thank you for inviting me, Jean-Luc.”

He smiled, clutching her gloved hand and pulling her with excitement. She laughed as they rushed off to their destination. It was a short distance away, then down a dark alley, then down a deep stairwell. They stood at the door as a small window slid open and they were inspected. Apparently they passed muster, and the door opened inward. The young man gripped her hand tightly as they were ushered in.

Ryan held the young man’s hand, feeling oddly protective of the youngster she had just duped. She was carefully controlling her aura, which had been simple enough to do with this infant, but it was just about to get significantly more difficult.

She inwardly smiled. Not as hard as Muenda, though.

They were welcomed into a large foyer, and Ryan had to struggle to keep from bursting into laughter.

The room was decorated in the most melodramatic, gothic way imaginable, filled with thin, pale creatures lounging about on overstuffed couches draped with dark silk fabrics. The creatures were dressed in clothing that might have been fashionable in Victorian France, with lace cuffs and cravats in glorious abundance. Dark eye make-up seemed to be popular with both sexes, although it was difficult to tell them apart even without it. All held large, jewel-encrusted goblets that they sipped from.

Ryan carefully controlled her demeanor, although it was extremely difficult considering she could barely control her mirth. She was decidedly underdressed in her blue jeans and simple black turtleneck and jacket. She and her companion were the center of attention as they entered, with numerous predatory glances sizing up the newcomers.

Julien eyed the two Young Ones. The boy was handsome enough, but otherwise unremarkable. The girl, on the other hand, had a certain “je ne sais quoi,” about her. Strikingly beautiful with a perfect, athletic form, she wore her simple clothing with more elegance than the fully-dressed fops in the room. He watched them carefully.

Jean-Luc was searching for a place for them to alight, someplace out of the center of the room and out of the center of so much attention. It was with some relief he recognized Didier, who rushed up to them.

“Jean, you know you’re not supposed to bring strangers here,” he whispered furiously, although everyone in the room could hear him. Didier eyed the girl. “Julien will not like this.”

Julien materialized at Didier’s elbow, startling him. “And since when do you speak for me, Didier?” he asked smoothly. He offered his hand to Ryan, who tried to appear flattered as he brushed a kiss across the back of hers. There were several titters from the shadows. It appeared poor Jean-Luc would not be leaving with whom he came, and the poor girl might not be leaving at all.

Ryan quickly assessed Julien. He was likely the oldest One present, perhaps even four or five centuries. She would not really consider him an Old One, because he lacked the stunning magnetism of the truly aged, but he was definitely in the upper ranks of the middle ground. He was assessing her as well, but with decidedly more lust and less accuracy than her appraisal of him.

“Won’t you and your companion join me?” he asked Jean-Luc, motioning to a small seating area off to the side.

Jean-Luc nodded, but wasn’t certain he was happy with the invitation. Although it was a great honor to be noticed by someone of Julien’s stature, it was also very dangerous. He held the girl’s arm and they settled on a couch, sitting very close to one another.

“Would you care for a drink?”

A woman of reasonable attractiveness in a low-cut gown leaned over, a goblet in her hand. Her breasts nearly spilled out of the blouse, and Ryan and her companion had a hard time not staring at the twin globes of flesh on the verge of exposure.

The woman felt a flush of warmth from the girl’s steady gaze, which was odd coming from one so young. She was oddly flattered by the attention, again, a feeling completely incongruous with the youth of this girl.

Ryan finally managed to make eye-contact. “I’m sorry,” she said, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, “What did you say?”

The woman was completely enamored with the reaction, as was Julien, who watched it closely.

“I asked if you would like a drink. It is blood from an Old One.”

Ryan cautiously leaned forward, sniffng the glass. Unlikely, she thought. It wasn’t anyone she knew.

She delicately took the goblet, and after a good deal of hesitation, tentatively took a sip. She immediately choked and spit the blood out on the ground, evoking laughter from those around her. They were all greatly amused, mistaking her disgust for weakness.

“It is powerful, eh?” the woman asked.

Ryan wiped her mouth, wishing the foul taste were gone. “Um, yeah, powerful,” she said weakly. She handed the goblet back. “Do you have any wine?”

This evoked additional laughter, but she was brought a goblet of a mediocre French merlot, which at least rid her of the aftertaste. She leaned back, sipping the wine.

Jean-Luc, flush from the blood he had been given, tried to make conversation.

“So, Julien,” he said, overly friendly, “Any word of the hunter?”

Ryan was suddenly very alert, although outwardly she appeared completely relaxed on the couch.

“Rhiannon Alexander,” Julien said with a degree of disgust, “she will not come here.”

“Why not?” Jean-Luc asked, feeling slightly reckless.

Julien eyed the boy, finding him annoying. But his companion was growing more and more relaxed, which was a good thing.

“Because our lineage protects us. We are the offspring of Aeron, the true leader of our Kind. Why do you think she has not set foot on this continent?”

The woman took a sip from her goblet. “And what about Victor Alexander? I think he might have something to say about who is in charge.” She leaned back dreamily, “I saw him once. He’s very handsome.”

Julien’s arm shot out, slapping the woman’s face so hard he drew blood. She raised her hand to her face, stunned, then stood and ran from the room. The sudden violence and appearance of blood raised the tension in the room dramatically, and several followed the woman, most likely with less than honorable intentions.

Jean-Luc stirred the liquid in his goblet with his finger, then licked it. He took another deep drink from the goblet. “It’s so odd that no one has pictures of her. In this day and age that seems like it would be such a simple thing.”

Didier had strategically moved to take the chastised woman’s place as soon as she left, hovering about Julien. “I heard that anyone who has a picture of her has been killed, and the pictures immediately destroyed.”

Julien snorted in disgust. “I weary of this talk of the ‘hunter’ and these ‘Alexanders.’ The stories we have heard of the Cleansing have been greatly exaggerated. I have heard from good sources that Rhiannon Alexander has been able to kill fewer than a hundred, and all of those were Young Ones, one step from being human.”

Jean-Luc and Didier both nodded sagely at the wisdom of his words. It was likely true.

Ryan took a long drink of wine, finishing the glass. Julien watched her carefully. She seemed almost drugged. His influence was working.

Ryan stared at the wine glass in her hand, and was surprised to see two of them. It was not possible for her to get drunk, so there was definitely something else wrong. She glanced up, and the room appeared to be swimming, the figures elongating and twisting. She felt suddenly very dizzy and nauseous, and she could feel the fire rise in her veins. She struggled to bring the room back into focus, knowing that if she lost mental control her identity would quickly and emphatically become known.

Ryan cursed the virus, or whatever it was, that was in her system. Its timing was inopportune to say the least. She focused on Julien, and was relieved to see that he suspected nothing. Even in her current pained state, it amused her to realize he thought he was the cause.