Page 48 of Incandescence

Guess I’d been a bit brainwashed to have noticed when I’d been ushered through the lobby and into the elevator.

I could only imagine how things must have changed in the years Alexander had been kept here. Many of the people who’d once lived and worked here forty-six years ago would now be dead.

I turned to Alexander. I couldn’t even try to conceive how he must be feeling. But his stride didn’t falter as he headed toward the elevator, Newry following right behind.

No one took notice of us as we stepped into the elevator and pressed the button that’d take us to the top floor. It was almost as though we didn’t exist, or, more tellingly, the penthouse suite that was the nest didn’t exist.

The elevator slowed to a smooth stop and its doors slid apart. My pulse beat loudly in my ears, my palms clammy. Alexander stepped out, his spine straight and his jaw tight. “Let’s get this over with.”

I nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

Alexander didn’t once hesitate, until we got to the door of the vampire’s former chambers. He paused, sucked in a breath, then swung open the door before he stepped into the room.

My nose wrinkled. Already there was a pervasive musty scent, as though the vampire had died half a century before, not less than twenty-four hours ago.

Newry stepped purposefully toward the bookshelves before he slid a huge volume free. The red cover was dulled with age, but the doctor easily read its title. “History of an Alien Species.” He chose another. “The Truth behind the Myth.”

Alexander took down a different volume, his lip curling with distaste as he read its title. “Grooming a Donor.”

I drew one off the shelf. “Finding Your Blood Source (and Keeping It).”

I sank onto the pallet, queasy. “Those books make us sound no better than cattle. They could be a farmer’s manual.”

The doctor was scanning the inside of one of the huge books. “According to this history book, vampires are an alien species who came to Earth for its bountiful food supply.” He looked up. “I’m guessing they’re not talking about our orchards and corn fields.”

My heart twisted in my chest. “So there are more of them?”

“Enough to write these books,” the doctor murmured, before he continued to read for some minutes. He shook his head. “From what I gather, they’re a dying breed. Something about our atmosphere makes them impotent, so they’re unable to procreate.”

At least now I fully understood why the vampire had never tried anything other than to drink from my throat. It was obvious these blood-sucking aliens weren’t meant to be a part of our world, and I thanked Mother Nature for that mercy at least. It must have been hell for the vampire to want to recall the pleasure of lovemaking.

Alexander pulled free a smaller volume. He scanned through the chapters until he found what he’d been looking for. “This volume suggests vampires either took their own lives after decades of feeding from humans, or returned to their own planet to take their chances with a dwindling food source.” He looked up. “It would seem our vampire is now only one of a handful of vampires left on the planet.”

The doctor clucked his tongue at some scientific textbook he was reading through. “A pity those few who are left on this planet are able to communicate telepathically.”

My belly did a slow roll. “So you’re saying, whatever the vampire was thinking, he relayed it to others of his kind who live on Earth?”

“It would seem that way, yes.”

“Shit.” I squeezed my eyes closed. “Then we have no choice but to leave here as soon as possible. Evade any vampire who might decide on retaliation and slay the people who killed one of their own.”

Alexander studied some more text, too intent on learning what he could before we had to leave. “Drinking enough of the aliens’ blood will make their donors powerful and turn them immortal. But the immortal human will never take on alien characteristics. In fact, a small amount of blood keeps the donors addicted and alive, but doesn’t give them more than token strength.” He looked up. “It doesn’t give donors enough strength to fight back.”

My body tensed. “Not to mention keeping us starved and in enough pain that we’d be too preoccupied to think of anything else.”

The doctor stroked his chin. “You know, if those aliens have a hive mind, they won’t waste your donor blood. They’ll arrive here not to kill you, but to claim you.” He sighed. “It looks like you two will have to leave either way, and I won’t be having you as guests in my house for much longer.”

“Come with us, then.” I was already attached to the feisty old man.

He shook his head. “No, I’m too ancient for that sort of excitement.”

Alexander looked up from the book he was speed reading, and gave Newry a considered stare. “Then drink some of my blood. I might only have scratched the surface of this book, but I already know that my blood is only slightly diluted of vampire power. It will give you many more years of life.”

Newry smiled at Alexander. “The offer is a kind one, but no. I’ve had enough of this world. I’m ready to leave behind the daughter who doesn’t need me to meet my daughter waiting for me in the afterlife. Until that time, I have more research to do with these books.”

“If the vampires come while you’re here?” I asked, sick at the thought.

He dug into his pocket and held a lighter aloft. “Then I’ll ensure this entire level will be gutted by fire.”

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