Page 96 of Sergi
The hardest part was describing the experiments I’d witnessed. When I had trouble holding my emotions in check, Cadfael filled in the gaps. I was touched when Devon stalled the questions at that point to request refreshments as he ran through more mundane questions. He sensed when I was ready to continue and redirected his questions back to the experiments.
Sergi joined in when the questions moved to his arrival at the facility. At that point, it became a dual report, succinct and almost synchronized in our telling until we reached the point where I’d stolen evidence.
I pushed the blood vials toward Trelane. “These empty vials contained human blood, and I gave those to Sergi before we escaped.”
“The blood didn’t taste any different,” Sergi added. “I’m afraid I didn’t leave much to test.”
My uncle picked up the package. “No. Not much. But the lab might be able to scrape something out of it.” He dropped the package on the table.
I pushed the next group forward. “These three are Magic Poppy, or so they’re labeled.” I held my grin when the vampires lifted brows of interest. “This other group is labeled BP-X. Sergi confirmed it was Blood Poppy, and he can also validate it has been modified from an earlier version that I’d obtained. We just don’t know how.” I pushed the last three to meet the other vials. “This last group is labeled with an S, and we assume it’s one of the shifter serums they were testing. All I can say is it wasn’t the same serums used in the last experiment. Those were a different color.”
My uncle reviewed the vials and held one up. “There’s a small amount missing from this one.”
When all eyes turned to me, Sergi answered their unspoken question.
“We ran into trouble with a pack of wild shifters. Alex was injured during the fight and developed an infection. I tried cleaning it out, but without medical supplies, I worried it would be life-threatening.” He looked to my uncle rather than Devon. “I was aware what Blood Poppy could do for a vampire and…” he hesitated for a moment, “…humans.” I was pretty sure that hadn’t been the word he was going to use.
“That’s alright Sergi,” Trelane interrupted. “I understand your hesitation. And while it might be jarring for those new at the table, we shouldn’t shy away from it with our team.” Devon glanced at the shifters. “Cadfael and Alex can be brought up to speed by Remus, but what Sergi is delicately working around is an old species, as long-lived as vampires and shifters, called dreamwalkers. They’ve been using Blood Poppy for some time and achieved the same health results. Go on, Sergi.”
My uncle had spoken of dreamwalkers long ago, but no one truly believed they were real. I wanted to know everything, but Sergi brought us back to the topic at hand.
“I wasn’t sure if it would hurt more than help, but I felt the situation dire enough that I gave Alex several drops of the Blood Poppy.”
My uncle picked up the vials and gently shook them. “It appears there’s a quarter of a vial missing.”
Sergi shrugged again. “Maybe more than a few drops.”
Trelane ignored them, his eyes on me. “How did you feel afterward?”
I grinned. “Great. I barely had a scar the following morning. and now it’s completely gone. I still feel the increased energy.” I’m not sure how I didn’t blush, considering how I’d expended some of that energy, but I chalked it up to being a professional. “The rest of the trip down the mountain didn’t exhaust me, though I was starving.”
The others laughed, but all I noticed was Sergi’s warm smile.
Devon got us back on track. “Remus, I’m sure you’ll want to take the vials. How long for a report?”
My uncle pushed them to Carlos, who gathered them up. “A couple of days. Maybe three.”
Trelane nodded. “Excellent. Thank you.” His sharp gaze turned back to me. “And the USB drive.”
My uncle had told me on the van ride to the airstrip that the lab had been destroyed, and all they’d found was one undamaged vial of Magic Poppy. He did find the director’s destroyed laptop, and while he took the hard drive, he doubted they’d find anything usable. This single USB drive might mean more than I’d first thought.
“The data is from the director’s laptop. There was already a file on the drive from a month ago with spreadsheets and data regarding shifter experiments. I found a file on the BP-X and was transferring it over when Gheata arrived.” I didn’t go into details since Sergi already covered the Gheata incident.
Devon grinned at me. “This is more valuable than you could know. In addition to the vials and the case we’ve already put together, this drive could be one of the last straws to break the Council and Venizi along with it.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Sergi bracedhimself as he strode up the stairs behind Devon to the manor’s front door, with Bella and Rafael trailing behind him. Mateo opened the door, and when Sergi reached him, the vampire held out his hand.
“It’s good to have you back home with us.” Mateo shut the door and handed Devon a note.
“It’s good to be home.” Sergi shook his friend’s hand then glanced around, surprised Cressa wasn’t lurking somewhere, eager to give him a hard time.
“Why don’t you get some rest, maybe spend time in the training room.” Devon patted Sergi on the back. “I have an engagement that will last through the evening.” He turned to Bella. “Contact Lucas. I need him and Ginger here in the morning for a meeting. Double the security for the motorcades and all the properties. Something tells me Venizi is going to be a bit irritated with us. Oh, and tell Decker as well.”
Bella nodded and strode down the hallway toward her office. Devon raced up the stairs without another word. Cressa must have made plans for his return.
Sergi was eager to get back to work, but at the same time, taking the rest of the day to simply sleep was a treat he couldn’tignore. The Council would have been informed by now about the infiltration into the lab. They probably had their hands full restraining Venizi from calling for a complete sanction on House Trelane, but the evidence of shifters being held in captivity would complicate Venizi’s revenge plans, at least for a short time. With any luck, Simone would be home soon, bringing the last piece of evidence Devon needed before declaring war.
