Page 62 of Dig Your Grave

No one moved.Then Sophie, with that predator’s smile, stepped forward.“I’ll do it,” she said.

The crowd murmured excitedly.The staffer handed Sophie a single syringe, silver, elegant, too theatrical for standard medicine.She rolled up her sleeve, revealing pale skin.Dr.Lansing inserted the needle.Sophie didn’t even flinch as the camera flash captured the moment.

Whispers swept the guests: “Is this safe?”“She’s so brave.”

After pulling back the syringe, Dr.Lansing pressed a cotton swab to Sophie’s arm.“It’s perfectly safe.We aim to demonstrate that, within minutes, we can monitor changes in the bloodstream, enhanced white cell counts, improved rapid response to pathogens.This is the future of precision medicine.”

I nearly laughed at the absurdity, but terror coiled in my gut.Is this some new variant of the Skulls’ blood rituals?Are they injecting themselves with some formula that strengthens them?Or is it a scam?

Sophie faced the crowd, radiating triumph.“Ladies and gentlemen, you witness Edenvane’s commitment to progress.With your support, we can save countless lives.”

Polite applause rippled.Donors leaned to each other, eyes gleaming with the possibility of profits or accolades.The entire scene reeked of manipulation.

Anubis’ breath hissed near my ear.“They’re creating hype for some untested therapy.The Skulls might be planning to harness the donors’ money, or worse, use this formula on novices.”

I shuddered, remembering the brand on my shoulder.“We have to expose them.This can’t be safe.”

Moments later, Sophie returned to the microphone, looking uncharacteristically flushed.She sipped water from a glass, hand shaking slightly.Dr.Lansing put a hand on her shoulder, concern flickering across the scientist’s face.“Are you all right?”

Sophie pressed a smile.“Yes, just…a bit…warm.”Her eyes flicked briefly toward the Dean, who stood at the edge of the stage, posture rigid.

The hush in the audience deepened.A donor in the front row called, “Is this…supposed to happen?”

Sophie forced a laugh, though sweat beaded on her brow.“I’m—fine.”She clutched the podium, knuckles whitening.

Anubis’ grip on my arm tightened.“Something’s off.”

In another heartbeat, Sophie staggered, nearly falling.Dr.Lansing grabbed her.The entire room buzzed with alarm.The Dean rushed forward, barking orders for staff to help.Security tried to usher onlookers aside.

I glanced at Anubis.“We need to see what’s happening.She might be having a serious reaction.”

His expression was conflicted, but he nodded.Despite everything, Sophie’s collapse threatened the secrecy of the Skulls.Or maybe it would reveal something crucial.

We pushed through the crowd, reaching the stage steps just as Sophie sank into a chair.Her face paled, lips parted in shallow breaths.Dr.Lansing fiddled with a portable device, likely measuring her vitals.The Dean hovered, fury and fear mixing in her eyes.

“How can this be?”the Dean hissed at Dr.Lansing.“We tested the formula thoroughly in our private trials.”

Anubis exchanged a look with me—private trials?

Sophie’s eyes fluttered open, focusing on me briefly.For an instant, vulnerability crossed her features before that old arrogance returned.“I’m fine,” she insisted weakly, even as she trembled.

The crowd pressed closer, some snapping pictures.The Dean’s glare darkened.“Everyone back.The demonstration is concluded.”

In a flurry of motion, staff and security began ushering the donors away.Confusion reigned, a swirl of shock.Anubis and I lingered near the stage, half-hidden behind a draped partition, catching bits of frantic conversation between Dr.Lansing and the Dean.

“This was never supposed to happen,” Dr.Lansing muttered, voice shaky.“I can’t understand, maybe an impurity in the batch?Or a mismatch in her DNA profile?”

The Dean spat, “Then fix it.I won’t let anything ruin this.If word gets out that our…research… harmed my daughter, the donors will flee.”

DNA profile.My mind flickered to my own suspected ties to the Edenvane line.What if the formula is tailored to certain bloodlines?

As staff carried Sophie off to a side room, the Dean barked at them to call a private physician.The entire demonstration hall emptied, leaving us in a strange hush.The donors had been told to wait in the foyer for further “updates.”

Anubis’ throat worked as he swallowed.“We just witnessed a real meltdown of their show.But the Skulls will hush it up fast.They’ll spin it as a minor side effect or dehydration.”

I nodded, a pulse of dread.If they’re messing with gene therapy… who else might they inject?Could they use me, the newly discovered Edenvane descendant?

Chapter 23

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