Chapter 1
Cole
I am in the office at the pharmaceutical company going through the additional details of the daylight drug. For the last year, it has been on trial with a few select vampires, Nikolas included. He wanted a better insight into and its effects.
“These results look promising. No side effects and all vampires taking part in it last the full day of sunlight.” I look up at Nikolas.
“Yes, I think we are ready to distribute them globally. This will make us millions.”
“Billions,” I corrected him. It comes with a price, and it also means that those who can’t afford it will miss out. “We will release it here to start with. I expect some backlash from those who can’t afford it, but they will understand. Once it has been public and available for some time, costs will come down.”
“We will have everyone listed through the subscription for distribution. Are we limiting how much each person can buy?” Nikolas raises a good point.
“Yes, it still takes time to make, and if it is rushed, I can see mistakes being made, which could be disastrous.” It is my biggest worry, then we will get the backlash of it. “With any prescription drug, we provide a list of warnings, and we cover our backs with all the legalities of it.”
“So, if someone takes it, then walks out into the sun and burns to death, then legally no one can sue us.” His lips twitch with an almost smile.
“They would be pretty dumb to do that, though.” I roll my eyes.
We go through quantities allowed, and since there have been no issues with daily use, each person can get up to thirty tablets — one month’s use. Then they will have to reapply for more.
“I shall make an announcement in the underground tomorrow.” I shut down my computer. “Make sure you pass along the information, as the announcement will be at ten tomorrow morning. I’m going home to see my son.”
As I step inside the castle, the guards welcome me with a bow. I go in the direction of my son, following the sound of his laughter. I’m sure Duke Strix has been rubbing off on him. The sight of Strix on his hands and knees with Kristopher on his back riding him makes me chuckle.
“Daddy’s home,” he squeals and hops off Strix to greet me.
I pick him up and spin him around. Spending time with my child makes me feel like I’m charged with electricity, my spirits soaring. I can almost say that I feel a touch of humanity.
“And where is Mommy?” I frown at why Strix is here with my son.
“Queen Mila has a bout of sickness.” Strix advises us. “Lady Penny is with her.”
My poor queen, this pregnancy is worse than the last. I’m glad she has Penny at her side constantly when I’m not here.
“Here, go play horses with Strix again whilst I check on your mommy.” I kiss his cheek, and he skips back over to Strix.
You wouldn’t know he is only one-year-old. His intelligence is clear, and he can express himself better than anyone else I know. As I leave the room, I hear him commanding Strix to get on his hands and knees.
I find Mila bending over a toilet bowl and Penny holding back her hair and rubbing her back. “Do you need my blood?” I kneel next to Mila and take over from Penny.
“I don’t remember it being this bad with Kristopher.” She puffs out breathlessly.
“You were human when you were pregnant with him before you transformed. This time you are a vampire with human abilities.” I rub her back. “Here, take some blood; you know our bond and blood swaps help.” I hold out my wrist.
“I prefer your neck.” She stands with my help.
I know what is coming next, so I slam the door closed with a resounding bang. As the shirt comes off, I feel the frantic beat of her heart in the air. A hiss escapes me as her nails scrape down my chest. The dress she has on lifts easily, and I rip her panties off. Then, I drop my pants, letting out my throbbing cock.
“Is your pussy ready for me?” I bare my neck to her.
“Cole, I need it!” she pleads, and a wide grin spreads across my face.
I seize her leg, lifting it before penetrating her with my cock. At the same time, her fangs sink into my neck, and I let her take her fill as I fuck her. As her orgasm hits her, her fangs sink deeper, and I shoot my load. It was moments like this that got her pregnant again. We didn’t expect it to happen, so when she announced she was pregnant again, it was a shock.
I feel a little lightheaded as she finishes. She wipes her mouth, and I tuck myself away. “Feel better?”
“Much,” she leans in to kiss me.
We walk back through to where Stix and Penny are playing with Kristopher. “Rest, and I’ll have some of your favorite tea brought through.”
Penny is the one who scuttles off to make it, and I get Strix to accompany me to the office. Once inside, I sit and take a few breaths. Mila has taken a large amount of my blood, and I feel the cold spread through my veins.
“Are you all right?” Strix sits opposite me.
“Fine, I just need a moment. This pregnancy with Mila is taking a lot out of us both.” I wave my hand as if it doesn’t matter. “We have more important business to take care of. As of tomorrow, I will announce that the first sales will be available for the daylight drug.”
“So, expect some disruptions over the coming weeks?” He tilts his head to the side.
“The pharmaceutical company currently stores the drug, but I want to move half of it to another secure place. I don’t trust the humans or vampires working there. This is a need to know only, and I want you to ready the secure vault here. I want to move the drugs tonight since the announcement is at ten tomorrow.”
“How many know you are doing this?” Strix leans forward, placing his elbows on my desk.
“Nikolas is the only other person with access to the vaults in the company. Others know where we are keeping it, but don’t have access to it.” I sit back in my seat, my blood pumping normally again. A knock at the door comes. I raise my eyebrows, but get up and answer it. “Kieran, is everything okay?” I let him in and closed the door.
He paces the floor, then stops. “I’m not sure if this is something to highlight, but there has been a decrease in blood donors.” He stands with his hands behind his back. “This past week, our normal blood donors haven’t been turning up. Three of them in total. I know it doesn’t sound like much since there are many more. But these three haven’t missed an appointment since the program started.”
“Have you inquired why they haven’t turned up?” I glance at Strix.
“That’s the thing, though. All lines of contact are gone. The phone numbers are no longer active, and I personally went to their addresses. No one is home. It is like they have vanished.” He gives me a worried look.
“You were right to bring it to me.” I smile, and that eases some tension in him. “You have worked with the human and vampire resources for a year now, and haven’t come across anything like this with Eli?” I try to think of the guy’s name.
“Yes, Eli is the human I work alongside to provide fairness between vampire and human contracts. It has been working better than ever. That is why these three disappearing on us is a concern.” Kieran paces the room again.
“They have vanished? Like completely?” Strix asks Kieran.
“Yes.” Kieran nods.
“You don’t think the vampires have killed them by mistake and are trying to cover it up?” Strix hums and rubs his chin.
“I highly doubt it, but I will look into who were the last known vampires to use them.”
I stand and go over to him. “You have been very particular with this; I don’t believe it is vampires accidentally killing them. Something is amiss here, and we need to find out what before more humans go missing and we get blamed. This will only fuel the tension and start a war.” I clench my fist.
We are on the verge of letting vampires have more freedom, but this is a problem now. Could the revelation of vampires walking in the daylight be the breaking point for humanity?
