Chapter 18: And That’s How it Started
SEBASTIAN.
Dr. Antonov's presentation left a powerful impression on me. So much that I even offered her a job. I needed all the help that I could get. And she was in the same stage, only that her claim to use the blood of an original vampire made me think. Honestly, I didn’t give it a thought, but I could ask Erik to give me a sample of his blood. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try. The reason I kept Erik’s identity a secret in my meetings with Dr. Antonov was entirely mine. The man went through a lot and I really didn’t want to add another problem to his list.
Two days had passed since the presentation. Luana did an excellent job; I had advanced a little with my research because I used the blood of a Luna. Amelia, Liam’s partner, helped us. The result was more than amazing. Even Luana called me to the lab to show me.
“Dr. Gallagher, look, our Luna’s cells are so strong that they neutralize silver three times faster than the blood of a werewolf from the pack. The samples show me we will need to find something that maintains the healing properties of the blood twice as much. The question is what?” Luana’s proposal was getting more and more interesting.
“Have you thought of anything in particular? That is, the only thing that has these properties that you tell me about is iron in a pure state…”
“Exactly! Humans, for example, when they feel weak, tired all the time, their resistance to effort decreases, their heart rate decreases, they turn to their medication. Iron deficiency can cause all this and they seek help, a medicine, but the iron in that particular medicine is not pure. “
“I understand what you mean. We will need this pure iron, so the expected effect is to be maximum. "
“That’s right. Only where could we find it? It is very difficult to get, if not impossible. I mean extracting it. “
“I think I know the perfect man for this job! Do not worry. Other unexpected reactions?” Luana was very persevering and meticulous. In the two days she worked in the laboratory, she showed her abilities more than well. I was still in that deadlock, but now I had a new discovery, pure iron, that could be the answer to all our questions.
“No doctor, everything went according to plan. The reaction speed of the blood is much higher than the average of the one in the presentation, being the blood of a Luna. I guess the blood of an original vampire is almost impossible to find. I did some research and there is none in the area at the moment, or am I wrong?”
I couldn’t reveal Erik’s identity. God knows where he could be right now. He had contacted me the other day and announced his visit, but I advised him to stay away from me a little longer until I realized how things were with Luana Antonov. I told him about her and her intentions, and he was more than happy to help me. But as I had enormous problems with trusting foreigners, I preferred to see Luana’s intentions first.
“No, you are not wrong. Original vampires are fewer and fewer. Unfortunately, or fortunately I don’t know any, but if after the research we notice we can make enormous steps with the blood of such a specimen, I know someone who knows someone. Again, don’t worry, I’m a man with a lot of connections.”
My intention was to prolong the waiting time by providing a comprehensive explanation. I had to call my supplier and get that iron in its pure state. “I will ask you to excuse me. You can take over while I retire for a bit. If there are any changes, you can find me on the internal number and I’ll come here ASAP, ok?”
“Cool, but let’s just hope it won’t!”
With no time to waste, I established contact with Liam, who was still in the company.
“Liam, please find me Killian’s number, our supplier! You can find me in my office!”
“Consider it done, bro!”
The day was coming to an end, and like yesterday, there was no sign of Teresa. But why did I keep thinking about her? I had absolutely no reason not to drive her out of my thoughts, but neither did I have them to not keep her here. The late afternoon sun was still shining, casting its light and heat through the tall windows of my office. Finally, Liam entered the room noisily; he usually did that, but I didn’t tell him anything. He was just my spoiled cousin, but also very responsible. As soon as he approached, he handed me a piece of folded paper.
“Hm, we live in the 21st century and you bring me the number on a piece of paper ...”
The comment had not been mean. On the contrary, I felt the need to ease the atmosphere a little. And anyway, my gloomy face still hasn’t disappeared, not even to keep up appearances so as not to be questioned by my caring cousin again.
“You know that when the time comes and you feel you can no longer keep it just for yourself, you can tell me anytime, do you? And don’t pretend you don’t understand. I don’t need to be a werewolf to realize that something is happening to you and that something has to do with a person of the opposite sex, whom I still smell on you. No matter how many clothes you change, I still feel it, Bash!”
“Hey, if it’s not the philosopher himself. Even so, there’s no point in lying to you. One question though. And although I know it will look silly coming from the pack’s Alpha, I’m still going to ask you. “
“No such thing as an idiot question from you, my bro, so shoot!”
“How did you feel when you realized Amelia was your Luna, your other half?” Liam’s face lit up instantly in a childish smile, unable to believe that this was exactly what I had asked him.
“Well, I guess I know the reason you ask me, but even so, I will still answer you. It was spontaneous with Amelia and you know it. You know a pack of demons, hellhounds attacked her, and I happened to be nearby. Even to this day, I don’t know how I saved her considering the aggressiveness of those beasts, but even though that atmosphere was full of fear, panic, and horror, I could smell her in all the corners of my being. I became agitated but also angry at the same time, eager to help her escape the clutches of death. “
“And how did Amelia feel?” already my questions raised many suspicions, but I was feeling something similar to what Liam was telling, and I was forbidden to, considering the recent events in my life.
“Hmm, a little too curious, dear cousin. But you will have time to tell me. At that moment I couldn’t figure it out because of the fear and the adrenaline, but after things cleared up, Amelia felt the same anxieties as me, if you understand what I mean. “
The more I listened to Liam, the more I realized Teresa had not been in such a state as long as she was with me. What I felt was another story. Maybe it was just a passing thing, a phase.
“I don’t know the reason you are subjecting me to such an interrogation, but I am seeing in you some changes, Bash, changes that do not necessarily have to do with the tragic events of your life. I understand you are still in mourning, you are suffering, but something or someone has turned your world upside down. Contradict me here if I’m wrong, dare and contradict me!” and I didn’t even see the point in questioning his words, especially since he was also a werewolf and going through these types of changes. The question I couldn’t answer was why didn’t Teresa live with the same intensity as me?
“I will answer your question with another. Is it possible for my body and my senses to tell me I found her but that she has no reaction at all?” Liam’s face turned from playful to serious, and his smile disappeared instantly.
“Are you telling me you found your half, your Luna, but she doesn’t have the same feelings as you?”
“That’s exactly what I mean! And I tell you honestly, Liam, it is driving me crazy that she doesn’t feel the same way. She is indifferent, cold, and distant. I haven’t known her for a long time, but enough for me to realize that if she had the opportunity, she would kill me in my sleep.” Just as I finished my last word, the phone on my desk rang. A trembling but angry voice greeted me.
“Damn you, Sebastian Gallagher, I finally found out where you work. Because of you I lost my job!!!”
“Teresa ...?!”