“All right,” Damien murmured. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“And I’ll help,” Ryder offered.
“No,” I said immediately.
Ryder gaped at me. “Excuse me?” He actually sounded shocked, like no one had denied him before.
“When we need you to kill someone, we’ll call you,” I promised him. “But right now, these researchers need to remain alive and healthy. And frankly, I don’t trust you to handle that.”
“Frankly, I don’t give a shit,” he retorted.
“Ryder.” I stepped into his path before he could head in Calina’s direction. “These researchers might have information that will lead us to Cam. I will not jeopardize that.”
“I still don’t see how this ancient vampire is the key to solving all our problems,” Ryder replied, his tone less cutting. “But I’ll play along for Izzy.”
Saying the female’s name softened him a bit. As Damien’s maker, Ryder was very familiar with Izzy because she was Damien’s sister.
And she also happened to be Cam’sErosita.
Her existence proved he was still alive, because his immortality was tied to her life. If he died, she’d die with him. Yet the human female hadn’t aged a day in over a thousand years.
“Willow wants to know the pup’s name and if he’s ever been in his human form. Find out for me and I’ll go back downstairs.” Ryder spoke with a bored tone, but I caught the glimmer in his dark eyes. The old vampire was smitten.
“Love looks good on you,” I said softly.
“And a crown would look good on you,” he returned. “King Jace.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes. Our bonding session had clearly reached an end point.
Without another word, I headed back down the hall toward Calina and her alluring scent.
Time for round two.
Your move, sweetheart.
10
Lilith
There arethree main server farms, all strategically located around the globe, as per your design.
Each facility is guarded by electronic sequences. The device on your wrist will alert you if any of those safety mechanisms are triggered. On the off chance something happens, you’ll be presented with a series of codes. The choice for how to proceed will be up to you.
If you require assistance at any time, select the red button on the screen and someone will be with you momentarily.
Regarding the server farms, they contain details of the research from all the bunkers under your control.
Bunker 7, where you are now, is the main hive.
Bunker 17 is primarily focused on coercion techniques. This bunker is fully operational. Logs forthcoming.
Bunker 27 is primarily focused on mental stimulation and hive mind technology. This bunker is fully operational. Logs forthcoming.
Bunker 37 is primarily focused on blood potency and theErositabond. This bunker is fully operational. Logs forthcoming.
Bunker 47 was primarily focused on mortal longevity. If protocols ran appropriately, this bunker is now destroyed and you should be in possession of the requisite logs. If not, then a trip to the server farm is required.
Press the green arrow below to continue. Or press the red X for details on server farm locations.
