Apr 2008

Chapter 196The Last Drop

Jason stood impatient as I gave a quick hug to both of them. They couldn't even have seen my lips move with the little whisper I gave Khuna. She was still having trouble standing, but something in her felt better now. A plan was made, her stance seemed to say, 'I will be patient'.

This should work.

"Satisfied now?" Jason was really getting impatient.

He was being helpful, with his every word he distanced himself more from me. Less and less did I see this man, misguided as he may be, as a monster. He didn't care about the children in any other than 'helping them survive is good for business' perspective. I didn't like to offer him and the man up to my friends. But they wouldn't kill him.

I wasn't going to take many chances now though. Timing was everything.

I nodded. "Yes, you can ask them questions if you want to."

He almost rolled his eyes in annoyance. As if he needed my permission. "Why were you here?"

Valerie sounded tired. "Marcus sent us here, he told us there would be stuff here from another organization he wanted removed."

Jason grinned. "Yes, he did exactly as he was told." His face aimed at the both of them so he couldn't see my smile next to him. "I knew some people were giving problems to both the sect and our circle and suspected it wasn't two groups. Of course no one else has ties to both of them. Except for Marcus perhaps." He smiled proudly.

Valerie stood defiant as if she was on her last strength. I could see the strength underneath, but it was hidden now. "And now?"

He shrugged. "Now I have you and I can use your talents for something else. Especially you."

Valerie frowned. "Me?"

"Yes, your reaction to the serum was surpassing all our expectations. Of course we'd have to find a solution for the downtime most have after the dreams but I'm sure with time we can find a solution.

I interfered. "You want to do tests on her?"

He nodded. "Indeed, of course you can choose to stay out of this or be at my side. I know of your intelligence and I would value such a resource."

I looked at Valerie, she nodded. It was time.

"Jason. No, to both."

He looked in surprise as I grabbed him and turned him around, within a second Khuna was at his neck, she'd earned this bite, and started drinking. Valerie had, in the same moment turned the other guy around and drank from him as well. I, in the meantime, was doing something very important.

Supressing them.

They felt nothing but a prick in their neck and would soon start to lose the rest of their senses as well from loss of blood. The only problem was that Khuna was having too much fun drinking.

She started out slow but was now drinking by the gulp. She didn't bite through the vein completely, which was lucky on our part I guess, but was drinking him as fast as the little wounds would allow it. I had to stop her before it was too late. I had to release the both of them, Valerie could handle herself, and push Khuna.

I put all my strength in this simple command, like she did the very first time I tasted blood. Ironic the same thing was here now, in reverse.

"Stop."

She stopped.

With little time to spare, I quickly gave a kiss on the wound in my father's... Jason's neck. My blood healed the wound, making it disappear. It was a symbol to me as well. With this drop of blood I gave back the blood he gave me. The horror I had felt at his words, verified even in these last minutes, showed me the cold heart he hid underneath. It wasn't that he wasn't capable of love, but he simply chose something else.

He had chosen the path he thought he would desire most.

So now it was my time to choose.

My time.