Chapter 6
Ardonis' point of view.
"Mr. Stepanov, I've compiled a list of what I could find on Nyra Hearthe." The private detective I hired James, said.
"Let's get into it then." I gestured for him to sit and took a seat across from him, heart racing.
"Miss Hearthe keeps a very private life," he began carefully. "Public records are limited. She avoids social media, keeps her home address off databases. Only thing I got is business related."
"Go on..."
"She spent a few years working in an underground lab making drugs for simple diseases think over the counter drugs like paracetamol, Ibuprofen, aspirin etc. But here's how she made her billions; get this, she took those basic medications and carried them to the next level. Her brand of these over-the-counter drugs work in less than a minute with no side effects what so ever."
"How is that even possible?" I ask.
"Only she knows, sir."
"Did you get anything on a man, Xavier Locke?" My voice came out strained.
He is silent, then, "He's her lead scientist. Been working with her for four years. They attend almost every conference together. Photos exist of them travelling to research facilities out of state. They appear...close."
"Define close," I growled.
"Rumor says he's her right-hand man. Some whisper that they may be more than colleagues."
"And the child?" I asked.
"That's the strange part," he said. "There is zero information about any child connected to her. No hospital records, no school records, nothing. If she has one, they are off the grid. Hidden deliberately."
I closed my eyes. She hid our child from the world. From me.
"Keep digging," I ordered.
"Yes, sir. But...she's really good at covering her tracks."
"Well, you'll just have to find a way to uncover them then. I need to know everything about her. You understand me?"
"Yes, Mr. Stepanov."
**************
The steel doors of the elevator opened to reveal an advanced, well-equipped lab with Modern laboratory equipment's. The smell is antiseptic and nauseating.
Xavier and Nyra stand close together both wearing lab coats, expecting me.
"Welcome Mr. Stepanov," he greets, voice smooth, "I've been anxious to get my hands on you."
Nyra shoots him a look. And whispers "Behave."
He smirks. "Scientifically speaking of course. But you know who else I would love to get my hands on?"
Okay he is annoying. What does she even see in this guy?
"Xavier," Nyra cuts in, voice sharp. But expression light.
He laughs. "Sorry okay, just trying to keep the subject relaxed."
"I'm relaxed," I say flatly.
Nyra moves to her computer, typing ferociously. "From the samples we collected, we see that your condition isn't following the same pattern as the other recorded cases."
"Different how?" I ask.
"This mutation seems...... adaptive," she explains. "Your cells are reacting unusually to the strain of heamatodipsia. It may mean that we can slow the degeneration or the process is sped up. We do not know for sure."
I feel a flicker of hope and dread. "So, what now?"
"We hope that it's the former. But to confirm, we'll need to conduct more tests. We'll need more samples. Your blood itself might just hold the cure."
Xavier grabs a tourniquet and tightens it around my arm. "Relax your lordship I've drawn blood from tougher vampires, just a quick draw. Try not to bite me"
"Trust me," I reply. "If I wanted to, I would have done it a long time ago."
Xavier chuckles, unfazed.
Nyra steps forward, tone clinical. "Just focus on staying calm. You're stable enough for the procedure."
The needle pierces my skin. A thin line of dark red blood pulses through the tube. The scent-my own blood-burns through my throat like fire. My fangs press hard against my gums threatening to extend. My muscles coil. My base instinct screams to attack, defend, survive.
Although I am weakened by the disease, the instinct is still pure, primal.
"Ardonis." Nyra warns softly.
My hands grip the chair until the metal creaks. I squeeze my eyes shut. "I'm fine," I grunt. "I won't lose control
"Should I stop?" Xavier asks.
"No." I snap. "Finish it."
He completes the draw and steps back quickly. "All done."
I exhale slowly, letting the hunger bleed out of my system.
Nyra steps in front of me. "You handled it better than most. That's a good sign. We'll reach out to you when the results come in."
Xavier grabs a vail of medication and hands it to me. "Take this, it will make you feel better." Then to Nyra. "You still up for dinner tonight?"
"Sure. I'll have to go home for a change of clothes though." Was her reply.
I can't believe this guy. Asking my wife out in front of me again. Yes, I still consider her mine. We technically never got divorced.
Nyra looks in my direction ......Ardonis, you can see yourself out now. We are done for today."
I huff. And leave the room. Their giggles trailing behind me.
Hours later, I was seated in the clan council chamber.
"Lord Ardonis," Elder Gravon smirked, "We've heard rumors the disease has unfortunately struck our mighty leader.
Shit, how did this get out so fast. I was hoping I'd had at least a few days to break the news to these old bats.
Murmurs spread across the vast dark hall.
"You lost your wife. You lost your company, and now you're dying." Another elder added.
"If you cannot control your household," a third chimed in, "How can you control the clan?"
Elder Gravon speaks up again. Smirk still on his face. "Perhaps it's time to pass leadership to someone more.....stable."
The door opened and in walked Theodore Culkin, my distant cousin-a man I despised.
Looking all smug and proud he said slowly. "Our clan needs a strong Leader to take it back to its glorious days. I am willing to take the role for the good of our bloodline."
And beside him stood Elara looking equally smug in his arm. And she had the audacity to wink at me.
My fist clenched. Power surged through my veins. How dare they?
Elder Gravon's voice cuts through. "One more thing-if you die without an heir, by tradition, Lord Theodore takes everything. The title, estates and even what's left of your personal fortune."
He turned to Elara, and she nodded in approval.
That's when the truth hit me.
If I die before being cured...
Everything I built would go to the two people who betrayed me. And Nyra's child, my child, would inherit nothing.
Elara looked straight at me. "Well, Ardonis? Do you admit defeat, surrender your power?"
I stood up slowly.
"No," I said, voice low but dangerous. "I'm just getting started."
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