Vampire Experiment: Book One of the Vamp Virus Series

✧✦ Chapter Thirteen ✦✧

It took Odette forever to fall asleep. Every time she'd finally get relatively comfortable and doze off, she would move or turn over and pain would shoot through her body. Just as the sun was setting and the sky was getting dark, an hour after she had actually fallen asleep, Jasper woke up and came over to her.

"Odi, it's time to wake up." He said softly, lightly touching her shoulder. She groaned and pulled the covers over her face. "Come on," Jasper smiled and pulled the covers back down, gently brushing his hand across her face. "Wake up Odi. We have things to do."

Still groaning she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Fine." She sat up and climbed from the bed, trying to ignore the pain that still riddled her body. It was a little better than before, but not by a whole lot. At least now there were no more red marks, just pale scars. Groggily she followed him from the room and downstairs.

Entering the large, beautifully furnished kitchen, Odette walked into Jasper who had stopped quick.

"Jasper!" She jumped back and glared at the back of his head. Her skin still burned and with the little sleep she had she was not in the greatest of moods. "What's going on?" She peeked around him and saw what had caused him to freeze in the kitchen entryway. Relaxing in one of the chairs, reading a newspaper and sipping at a cup of coffee, Harland looked up at them.

"It's about time." He grinned, looking from Jasper to Odette. "I've been waiting for you to get up."

"What are you doing here?" Jasper growled, putting his arms out to keep Odette back.

"You know why I'm here." Harland folded the newspaper and placed it on the table. "I am positive Lestat told you everything."

"Yes, he did. I just didn't expect you to come by quite so soon."

"You should always be expecting me."

"Yea, well, we are busy today. So we don't have time to deal with you right now."

"You might want to make time since I can snap my fingers and she will go back to my mansion." His voice drawled on. He stood up and brushed his pants before looking over at them. "So, you have time, yes?"

Jasper looked at Odette and then back to Harland. With anger in his voice he answered, "Yes."

"Amazing." He smiled. "I know what happened last morning. Are you still in pain?" He directed the question at Odette.

She clutched Jasper's arm and pushed slightly into the room. "Yes, but I can handle it for now."

"Why handle it when I can fix it for you." He pulled out a small syringe and held it in front of him. "You weakened yourself with that foolish move. By taking this it will help, trust me." She looked up at Jasper who was seething. He didn't look like reasoning so she looked back at Harland who stepped forward and grabbed her arm. Against her resolve she cried out at the pain and pulled away, backing up against Jasper. She felt him tense up, knowing he was trying not to lose control.

"See? If you take this it will help." He waved the needle in the air tauntingly. "Wouldn't you like to visit your mother and not have to worry about such pain?"

Odette's eyes widened. How had he known about their plans? Obviously Harland was much more powerful than she had thought, and now she knew to be even more careful around him. Sighing, she cautiously stepped around him and sat down at the kitchen table. She wasn't happy about the whole situation, but knew there was really no way around it. He would get his way no matter what.

"Alright, I'll take it." She groaned and put her head on the table.

"Good, good." Harland smiled widely as Jasper grumbled. He walked over to her and put a hand under her chin, lifting her face up. "Don't be so down, young one. It is only a shot." The expression on his face did not reassure her, but she nodded anyway.