Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
An older guy with a pot belly scowled. “What the hell did you do to it?” Glowering at Lucien, he added, “First you destroy your own company and now you’ve destroyed your own blood. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were suicidal.”
“Better than letting you leeches drink it.” Lucien grinned.
“Can’t we just kill him?” the younger guy said. “I had a quick chat with one of the scientists on the way in. He said the initial tests overnight are incredibly disappointing. Why are we bothering to keep him alive if his blood is tainted?”
“I’m aware you’re the youngest of us and have more time on your side, Colin,” Roy snapped. “But forgive me if we’re reluctant to give up the strength, gifts, and longevity just because of a little blip.” He rolled his shoulders back as if doing his best to hold onto his temper. “I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding. With a few more tests, we’ll figure it out and adapt accordingly.”
“What’s wrong with you?” a tall man in a navy pin-stripe suit poked Lucien’s shoulder. “Did you catch a disease? Why is it black?”
Lucien just smirked and said nothing.
The air grew warm again, making my skin prickle.
A soft squeak of wheels cut through the tension. Roy pushed off the wall as the two scientists from last night wheeled in their massive trolleys. “Great. You’re here.” Turning to face Lucien, he added, “The sooner we’ve gotten a few more samples from you, the sooner we can all go back to normal.”
Lucien still didn’t speak again—his silence somehow more terrifying than a threat.
Goosebumps shot down my arms as the two scientists parked themselves on either side of us. They pulled out surgical tools, scalpels, syringes, and other terrifying things, lining them up neatly on stainless steel trays.
How long are we going to pretend for? I flicked a look in Lucien’s direction.
Not much longer.
“It seems as though your blood not only made us suffer fevers, rashes, and nausea, but also killed two dogs, four guinea pigs, and a handful of rats when we tested it in the lab.” Roy sighed sadly. “Such a shame.”
My heart clenched with guilt.
Yet more creatures had suffered because of this damn R gene.
The scientist dealing with me shoved up my dirty sleeve and tapped the vein in my elbow. Swiping an alcohol wipe over my skin, he secured a rubber band around my bicep.
Now? I asked silently. Now can we kill them and get out of here?
“Since your blood might have turned poisonous, we’re pivoting.” Swift announced, his voice sending icicles through my insides. “Of course, we’ll take your blood again, but what I’m really interested in is bone-marrow aspiration.”
“Bone marrow aspiration?” My pulse raced. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what you think it means.” His gaze hardened. “We’re going to test everything. And I do mean everything. Doctors, if you please.”
The two scientists held up a horrifyingly long and terrifyingly thick needle attached to a glass syringe. “After careful discussion last night, we believe your stem cells might contain the original code for your R gene abilities. If we can culture them, we can bypass your blood entirely and replicate the power that way.”
My heart pounded. Eh, Lucien?
“Once your blood and bone marrow have been collected, we will perform a series of punch biopsies.”
Lucien’s disgust rippled hotly down the bond.
Anytime now would be great. I shifted in my binds. This asshole is freaking me out.
Swift stepped closer, his gaze sliding over me with something far darker than scientific curiosity. “We’ll also collect reproductive samples.” His lips curled into a sinister smirk. “We already know that Lucien’s sperm refuses to impregnate test tube eggs, so...we’ll see if your eggs can be fertilised by each member of the Brimstone board.”
A flash of Lucien’s fire scorched me.
A few of the men snickered by the wall. “It will be an honour, girl,” the eldest man with a thick moustache said. “I’ve agreed to jerk off into a petri dish to see if we can mass-produce little Requiem carriers. However, in return...” He winked. “Roy has assured me that we’ll each get a chance to personally see if we can get you pregnant.”
Another bolt of pure fury pulsed from Lucien.
My ice answered, clawing and scratching at my insides. My fingertips ached with tiny shards as my nails turned into wintery talons.
“So let me get this straight,” Lucien purred, his voice smoky and soft. “Every single one of you plans to fuck her?” His gaze dragged slowly across the six board members. “Is that the plan? Harvest us then take turns raping the woman I love?”
The men went still; Roy Swift’s smile faltered.
Lucien tilted his head, looking like the devil. “Tell me, Roy. There were twenty-four board members when Marcus stole my company. I’ve killed quite a few, so please remind me. How many of you are planning on touching Rook?”