Vampire Experiment: Book One of the Vamp Virus Series

✧✦ Chapter Ten ✦✧

Arkhain woke up and rolled over, confused to find herself tangled in the covers with Jasper. He was sleeping soundly, her head resting on his bare chest. Her own shirt was hanging off the headboard. She rubbed her head and got up, seeing Lestat trying to hide a grin.

"Stop, Lestat." She said quietly as she put on her shirt and fixed her clothes to be more presentable. He laughed, causing Arkhain to roll her eyes and walk out of the room.

"So, we need to figure this Odette thing out. Have you explained that he might just have to release her to Harland? That that might be the best choice for her?" Lestat's calm voice came out. Arkhain shook her head.

"I will go tell him now." She whispered and went back upstairs. She opened the door and looked over at Jasper still sleeping. She went in quietly and laid on the bed next to him.

"Jasper? Honey, wake up." She whispered.

He mumbled something and turned over slightly. "Huh?" When he turned all of the way over he recognized Arkhain. "What is it?"

"We need to talk about something," She whispered.

"Okay," Jasper sat up and groggily rubbed at his eyes. "What do we need to talk about?"

"Odette... I've talked with Lestat. She isn't going to make it without Harland's help. We must give her back to him." She turned, looking out the window. "We can't do anything. Only Harland can." She repeated quietly.

"No." He was fully awake now and not happy. "No, we talked about this the other night. There are other things we can do. We don't have to go near that man."

"No there isn't Jasper. There is nothing else we can do. Lestat and I have tried. There is a thing, a virus that was in the test stage. Harland got some and gave it to Odette. It is a different type of vampirism. It is complicated, but pretty much she has to keep taking the drug in order to live. If she stops... she could go crazy and we might never be able to bring her back. Harland is the only one in control of this drug. She's already getting to that point.

"We can't do anything. We were hopeful that we could, but we have come to the realization of what's really happening. Also, we had sent out informants to find out what we could about this whole situation. They are the ones who told us more about the drug and it's effects." Arkhain sighed, placing her hands in her lap. "Releasing her would be the best way to save her."

"But we could-"

"She's been biting herself Jasper! Her entire right arm is torn up and scarred. She's slipping away."

Jasper paled as much as a vampire could as his eyes widened. "That can't be true. I have to talk to Lestat." He climbed from the bed and stumbled from the room. She went to stop him but he continued on, running down the stairs to the living room. This was not what he wanted to hear and now he was afraid for Odette's safety more than before.

Lestat laid sprawled on the couch. "What she says is true, do not ask me. I can't help, Jasper. The only thing to do is to give her over to Harland. Perhaps if you are nice to him he will be more open to let you visit with her. Although I loath the idea of you even stepping foot on his property. All I ask is that you remain cautious around him and stop receiving blood from him." Lestat yawned and rubbed his eyes. "I suggest you not fight with me, I did not get much sleep. I was up all night trying to have a civil conversation with that beast, despite my efforts. She has been transferred to his mansion and you can reach her at this number." He held up a piece of paper with Harland's handwriting on it.

"What?! They moved her? To his place?!" Jasper looked like he was going to have a heart attack as he ripped the paper from Lestat's hand. Pacing, he studied the number and growled loudly before storming toward the front of the building. He dialed the number on his phone and angrily listened to each ring, getting more and more upset.