Claire blinked, surprised. Do you know what it does?
l call you back.
Soon, he said. Ive been told the goal is to increase the effectiveness of the drug by at least fifty percent within the next couple of months.
Claire blinked, surprised. Do you know what it does?
Dr. Millswho sounded pleasant and normal laughed. Do I really know? Probably not. This is Morganvillewe invented the concept of the secret around here. But I have a pretty decent idea that whatever it is, its not designed for human consumption.
That was as much as Claire wanted to talk about on the phone, no matter how friendly he seemed. After a quick excuse, she hung up and called Amelie. She intended to leave a message, and that, she thought, would probably be the end of it.
Amelie picked up the call. Claire stammered, took a deep breath, and told her about Dr. Mills and his request.
I should have told you last evening. I have decided to concede to your request to have additional resources on this project, Amelie said. Dr. Mills is a trusted expert, a longtime resident of the town, and he wont make the kind of value judgments others might. Hes also capable of keeping our secrets, and that is imperative. You understand why.
Claire did, all too well. The crystals were a drug that helped vampires ward off the effects of a degenerative diseasea disease they all had, one that was robbing them of their ability to reproduce. Amelie was the strongest, but she was sick, too, and the worst cases were insane and locked away in cells beneath Morganville.
And so far, few of the vampires knew about the illness. Once they did, there might be nothing to stop them from lashing out, blaming others. Innocent humans, probably.
Just as bad would be the effect on the human population. Once they knew the vampires werent invincible, how many of them would really cooperate? Amelie had long ago figured that this could destroy Morganville, and Claire was pretty sure she was right.
Buthe wants to see Myrnins lab, Claire said. Myrnin, her mentor and sometimes even her friend, had slipped off the edge of sanity, and he was in one of the cells. Lucid sometimes, and other times . . . Dangerously not. Should I take him there?
No. Tell him that youll bring what he needs to the hospital. I dont want any human other than yourself in that lab, Claire. There are secrets that must be kept, and I rely on you to see to it. Restrict his research only to refining and enhancing the formula youve already created. What Amelie meant, in that queen-cool way, was that if Claire spilled the beans, shed end up dead. Or worse.
Yes, Claire said faintly. I understand. About my parents
They are safe enough, Amelie said. That wasnt the same thing as saying they were safe. You will not see Mr. Bishop for the time being. If you happen to see his two associates, be polite, but dont fear; they are well in hand.
Maybe by Amelies standards. Claire was a little bit more worried. Okay, she said doubtfully. If anything happens Discuss it with Oliver, Amelie said. Curiously, I find the differences between us lessened dramatically once my sire paid a visit. Nothing like a common enemy to unite squabbling neighbors. She paused for a moment, and then said, almost awkwardly, You and your friends? You are well?
Were doing small talk now? Claire shivered. Yeah, were fine. Thank you.
Good. Amelie hung up. Claire mouthed a silent Oooo-kay, and pocketed the phone.