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“Deities in human bodies are immune to disease?” That was news to me, not that there was much publicly available information on the subject. I healed quickly, yes, but that didn’t mean I was invulnerable to disease.
His eyes sparkled with excitement. “Their healing abilities are beyond our wildest dreams. Broken bones. Diseases. Human maladies will be no obstacle to the next version of humanity.”
“Next version? Humans 2.0?”
He grinned. “Something like that.”
“You’ve read the old myths, haven’t you? Do the gods strike you as entities that serve humanity? They fought like children and used their powers for their own betterment.”
“Which is why this version of humanity will be such an improvement. We’ll be combining the humility and compassion of everyday people with the power of the gods.”
“Humility and compassion, huh? Your social circles must be different from mine.”
He smirked. “They are, in that mine include actual humans.”
“In my defense, I didn’t know I’d be living among so many supernaturals when I moved here.” And by then, it was too late. The Castle was mine, and my bank account was nearly empty.
“If this elixir is done right this time, without the restrictions imposed by our previous partners,” he began, “then we have a real chance to change the world as we know it.”
“And you’d win the Nobel Prize and whatever other accolades scientists get these days. Maybe a scientific law named in your honor. Kids around the world will be bored to tears by the Edmonds Principle.”
He seemed underwhelmed by the possibility. “My interest is in the science, Miss Clay, not the fame and fortune.”
“For someone so interested in humanity, you sure seem willing to destroy it.” As he moved closer to me, I noticed how gaunt his face looked. “You’re sick.”
He didn’t bother to deny it.
“How long?”
“Months, if I’m lucky.”
“That explains the hurry.” And the willingness to stick with Magnarella.
“I have an alternate plan if this one fails to pan out by the end.”
I knew instinctively what his Plan B was. “Would you really want that life for yourself?”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t seem so bad. Immortality in exchange for sharper teeth and a thirst for human blood. The alternative seems much worse.”
“Are you that afraid of death?” I didn’t share his fear, mainly because of my connection to the dead. I knew there was an afterlife and spirits that lived on in their own way. Edmonds wouldn’t be curing disease in the next life, but he had nothing to fear.
“I’m afraid of not fulfilling my potential,” he said simply. “I was born into a brilliant family, Miss Clay. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be a superior human being, yet still feel inadequate around your parents and siblings?”
“I imagine that’s how Hermes felt on Mount Olympus.”
Edmonds skipped right over the joke. He might enjoy life more if he had a sense of humor.
“Let me guess, they’ve all managed great accomplishments in their lifetimes, and you’re still struggling to catch up.”
“I have yet to complete my scientific purpose, and now I have a deadly illness hanging over me. The universe has been unkind to me.”
“The universe is neither kind nor unkind. It simply is. As a scientist, I’m surprised you’d see it any other way.”
He angled his head in acknowledgement. “A sensible point. I knew you were more intelligent than Mr. Magnarella gave you credit for.”
“He underestimates most people, I find.” Because he overestimated himself. Typical man-pire.
“Be that as it may, Mr. Magnarella is willing to continue to raise the funding for this experiment, and for that, I’m grateful to him.”
