Severin had asked multiple times if he could just see her long enough to bite her—he was afraid the cure in his essence might be starting to fade as his body neutralized the dead strands of virus present in the compound he’d injected himself with.Buthe had been forbidden, much to his frustration and dismay.
He was especially worried about the curvy little human, because he knew how the virus worked in her—how it made her crave male contact and seed.Andright now, he andRavikcouldn’t give her what she needed.Sofar she seemed to be holding up all right, but he couldn’t be absolutely sure she wasn’t acting because the containment field around the quarters kept him from smelling her scent.
“Of course we’re willing to help,” he said again.“We’lldo anything we can to facilitate the process of making a vaccine.”
Sylvan hesitated—not a good sign,Severinthought.
“You might not be so eager when you find out what’s involved,” he said at last.“Yousee,I’vetested the results in the lab myself over and over—I’veeven consulted with experts onCherubinThree, who asI’msure you know, are some of the foremost experts on viral detection and eradication.”
“Of courseIknow of them—Istudied their findings whenIwas building some of my own research,”Severinsaid impatiently.“Theyhave…some unusual methods of antiviral development and incubation.”
“Yes they do, which is one reasonI’mnot sure you’ll be interested in helping,”Sylvansaid.“Yousee,I’vebeen in contact withDoctorVerityx, their leading expert on flesh-eating viruses like theHungerVirus.”
“Zombie viruses,”Severinsaid, thinking of whatCassandracalled theInfected.
“Well yes—to put it in human terms.”Sylvannodded.“I’veseen a few of their ‘zombie’ entertainment vids, though my mate doesn’t much care for them,” he added.
“I don’t much care for them myself, having lived through one, so to speak,”Severinsaid dryly.
“No,Idon’t imagine you do.”Therewas sympathy inSylvan’svoice.“Atany rate,Dr.Verityxbelieves that the path to a true vaccine and complete cure for theHungerViruslies in the reproductive tract of the human woman you brought with you—Cassandra.”
Severin felt his whole body go tight.
“Yes,Iexplained to you multiple times that the virus took a different pathway in her—probably because of her perimenopausal hormone fluctuations,” he said.
“And you were right.”Sylvannodded.
“The cureImade was based on her honey,”Severinreminded him.“Butit had to be mixed withRavik’sblood and my blood and essence as well.Andmy essence was the only carrier that would keep it alive long enough to work in another living host.”
“Exactly, but as we both know, you can’t go around biting every male, woman, and child on the ship,”Sylvansaid dryly.Heraised an eyebrow.“I’mnot even sure how you were able to biteCommanderRavik—thoughIsupposed that’s between the two of you.”
Severin raised his chin, though he could feel his cheeks heating.
“I know what it looks like,Commander, butRavikhad just been mauled by anInfected.Ihad to bite him to heal him.Otherwisehe would have turned full-Infectedand attacked bothCassandraand myself.”
“I understand.”Sylvannodded.“AndI’mnot judging you.Butit seems like you andCommanderRavikaren’t, er, getting along right now and you’ll need to work together to develop a vaccine that can be given to everyone on board theMotherShip.Youcould also save anyone who might be left alive onVisslickPrimetoo,” he added.“Iunderstand that some of the people there are still alive inside a few of the cities.”
Severin frowned.
“I know—they threwCassandraout of one of those cities to die,” he said shortly.“Forgiveme ifIdon’t have much sympathy for them.”
“You andIboth know that you can’t judge an entire race of people based on the actions of a few of them.”Sylvan’svoice was gentle.“Irealize you probably have…protective feelings forCassandra, but we can’t condemn everyone onVisslickPrimebecause of the actions of a handful of bad actors.”
Severin sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“I suppose you’re right.Andyes,I’dbe fine with theVisskousgetting the cure too—if there are any of them left alive by the time we get one they can take,” he added.
“Dr.Verityxseems to believe that the vaccine can be developed fairly quickly,”Sylvansaid confidently.“Butit will take the cooperation of all three of you.CommanderRavikandCassandramust be committed to the project too.”
Severin frowned.
“I don’t understand—I’mtheXeno-virologist.Ithought you were asking for my expertise in helping to craft the vaccine.I’mmore than willing to work withDr.Verityxon it.”
Sylvan shook his head.
“I’m sure he’ll ask for your help, but that’s not all he’s going to need from you.”
“Does he need more samples?”Severinraised his eyebrows, still not comprehending.“I’msure we’ll all willingly give them.Wehave been all this time.”
