Page 4 of Crimson Everlasting
“I knew there was more to it.” Tobias laughed. “You were too accepting and so complimentary of a man you just met and knew for less than an hour.” He continued to laugh and came over to stand next to Trent. “I’m certain he will be a good neighbor." This time, Trent laughed along and let the happiness he was feeling fill the room.
“Excellent neighbor.” He responded. “We have a date for dinner tonight.”
“Good work.” Tobias clapped him on the shoulder. "Take a few days off and pursue your love, but keep me posted. I love a good romance."
“Will do.” Trent had a lot to think about and plans to make.
Master Alexander Stone and his chosen Quinn sat in the outer room along with Quinn’s father, Harkin, and waited for the doctors to tell them what was wrong with their son. Cullen had joined them a few minutes ago, and they all held their breath as their lead doctor, Dr. Rashad, entered from the examination room.
They all stood as he came toward them. Alexander held Quinn to his side, supporting and comforting him as they waited. Fergus had been unconscious since his arrival home. His grandfather had flown him home in hopes of the vampire doctors finding a diagnosis and treatment, but the dire look on the doctor's face did not bode well.
“He remains unconscious, and the cause appears to be an issue with his blood. At sixteen, vampires go through a change; it’s subtle and amounts to nothing other than the blood type shifts a bit at that age and becomes richer and more highly charged.” The Doctor was trying to explain, but his approach seemed hesitant, like he wasn't sure what he was saying. It did not fill anyone with confidence, but there was plenty of fear and dread to go around.
"What are you saying, doctor? What does he need to get better?" Harkin exploded as he was too on edge to remain quiet.
“His parentage and his blood type are working against him during this time of change. Whereas in any other vampire youth it would happen naturally and without incident, young Fergus is suffering, and his body is shutting down. He needs a transfusion.” That seemed easy enough; transfusions were done every day.
“Give him a transfusion, whatever he needs.” Alexander barked. Everyone was running thin on patience.
"He needs human blood." The doctor again became hesitant. There was bad news coming, and no one wanted to hear it.
“We can get that; it’s not a problem.” Alexander turned to Cullen. “Find us a volunteer." He said, and just as Cullen was about to leave, the doctor stopped him.
"It must be pure; it must possess elements that were only present in human blood prior to the twentieth century. Current donors would not be a match for what Fergus needs.”
It was Cullen who finally made sense of the nonsensical. “Fergus needs a blood transfusion from a human that was born before the year 1900, so you need someone well over one hundred and twenty-five years of age. I am assuming that humans who were bitten and bonded by a vampire or a shifter do not qualify due to the changes that occur in their blood during the bond.”
"Correct, the element is a purity marker that no longer exists due to industrial changes to the environment and chemical alterations in consumables. Over the years, it suppressed and changed aspects of human blood.” The doctor continued to tiptoe around comments and explanations.
“People born before 1900, if there was one still alive, would still possess the element of purity that is required. It’s a cleansing agent that Fergus requires, and I don't know any other source." The doctor's hesitation was now understandable. He regretted having to tell these parents there was very little hope that their son was going to survive. Everyone stood there, stunned, and Quinn began to cry.
CHAPTER THREE
Trent was at the restaurant waiting for Emrys well before seven. He'd done some research, hoping to get a better insight into the man, but there was very little out there on Mr. Emrys Tarquin apart from date and place of birth and associations with the real estate and finance communities. His age would suggest that he was a newcomer in both areas, but the information suggests a considerable track record.
He didn’t know what to make of it and thought there would be more, considering real estate was basically all marketing and getting one's face out there often. He found information on the cousin who left him the property. John Murphy was a long-time resident of New York, dying at the age of eighty-three.
He left everything to Emrys, which included a fat portfolio that was liquidated shortly after being inherited. Everything was sold apart from the two hundred acres in Crimson, Virginia. There were very few pictures of John, but the one he was able to find was a long shot from a bridge, a considerable distance away. The face struck him as familiar, and even though it looked very much like an elderly man, there was a youthfulness that showed through.
There were many thoughts running around in his mind, a lot of loose ends looking for completion, but he didn’t know what he was actually looking for. Something wasn’t adding up, and he was confident that in time, he would figure it out. In the meantime, he had a chosen to romance and claim.
Whoever Emrys was and whatever his plans or intentions were, they were secondary to the fact that he was Trent's chosen, and nothing would stand in the way of him completing their connection. Emrys was obviously human, so it would take a bit longer to explain himself, considering he’d probably lived his whole life without the knowledge of the supernatural.
It was a touchy subject with some people, but he had a hunch that Emrys was a bit more open-minded than most. He wasn't sure how he knew this, but he was pretty certain.
His friendly attitude about finding Trent on his property and the easy way he conversed suggested that he was a man not easily ruffled. He might be deluding himself, but Emrys struck him as calm and reasonable and hopefully not put off by things considered supernatural.
The moment Emrys entered the room, Trent could feel his presence. Emrys was an absolutely gorgeous man. His red hair and emerald green eyes were enthralling, and the way he moved was hypnotic. Trent couldn’t take his eyes off him. He stood, having already secured a table, and smiled when their eyes met. Emrys was dressed in a light gray knit sweater with a black shirt beneath and black pants. He looked fantastic.
Trent held his chair for him and soon they were seated and ordering drinks as they looked over the menu. “Did your superior take it well when you told them that I would not be selling?" He asked casually, his eyes going from the menu to Trent and then back to his menu.
“They were fine with the news.” Trent smiled. “They wish you well and look forward to meeting you.”
“Friendly neighbors?” He teased.
“Absolutely.” Trent winked, and Emrys chuckled.
Dinner was pleasant, and Trent learned a little more about his chosen. He, too, resided primarily in New York and had worked for his cousin John Murphy as a broker. Emrys was very knowledgeable in the real estate industry. He also explained that he wanted to get away from New York and maintain a quieter life for a while, at least. Trent was on board as long as it meant that Emrys was staying in the area.
