Vampire Experiment: Book One of the Vamp Virus Series

✧✦ Chapter Five ✦✧

"Well, she has pushed herself back in this process." Lestat commented in a huff as they walked down the hall toward the dining room. "She was supposed to stay away from blood for three days so she could start the next part, but she failed it. Even though she didn't get much from you, we can't take any chances. Now we must start again." He sat down at the head of the dining table and had Jasper sit just to his right. There wasn't much on the table; a few edible things, mostly soups and drinks. Red came over and poured them both a wineglass of a deep red liquid.

He picked up his glass, looked over to Jasper and gave him a serious look. "Also, I was serious when I said you are banned from seeing her for a week. The whole process takes at least seven days, and that's depending on the patient in question. Sometimes it takes a little more, sometimes a little less. But we can't have you running in there all the time and ruining everything."

"But-"

"No." Lestat replied sternly, glaring over at him. "You will abide by these rules Jasper Cantha. And don't think about trying anything. You know I have eyes and ears everywhere in this place."

"Lestat, that is totally unfair! What if something happens to her?" Lestat shook his head, dismissing the question. He jumped to his feet, nearly knocking his drink over. "Well I-" He was cut off when a loud ringtone went off. He dug into his pocket and took out his cell phone, flipping it open. "Hello?"

"Hi Jasper!" Odette's mother said cheerfully. "How are you?"

"I'm great." Jasper lied, his voice coming out smooth and cool. "How are you doing Margaret?"

"Oh I'm fine." She giggled. "I was just wondering how your trip has been going? How long do you expect to be gone?"

"The trip has gone very well. We were tied up in traffic and the plane was delayed for a whole day so we sold our tickets and we've been taking buses. We are just going up north to my family's resort. Maybe do a little fishing and camping as usual."

"That sounds lovely! How is Odette? Can I talk to her? I tried calling but her phone was off."

"She ate something that didn't quite agree with her and she's been a bit... sick. I would give her the phone, but she just fell asleep and I'd feel horrible waking her up."

"Of course, of course!" Odette's mother clucked. "Just let her know that I hope she feels better, have a wonderful trip and I love her."

"Alright, I'll tell her once she's awake!" Jasper sounded happy, his facial expression unchanged from before. "Please take care Margaret."

"You too Jasper! Bye!"

"Bye." He hung up and slumped back down in his chair, downing his drink in one gulp.

"Who was that?" Lestat taunted and Jasper threw him a look. "This is delicious." He smiled, the blood staining his lips red. "Come on, you haven't been back here in a decade at least. What's really troubling you?"

"Nothing." He grumbled.

"Well obviously it is something." He leaned across the table toward Jasper and raised an eyebrow. "Does she know you regenerate blood when you lose it? How you are such a lovely and special specimen of vampire who doesn't require human blood to heal? Or need it quite as often in general?"

"No." Jasper ground his teeth. "And she won't find that out either. Now what are we doing for a week?"
"Perhaps we can go on a trip?" Lestat smiled. "We haven't been on a trip in such a long while."

"A trip? Are you serious? At a time like this?" Jasper glared at him. "What about Odette? Who's going to take care of her? What if something happens?"