Max let the conversation die down. He did not care about Stephen’s ancestry even though he attended the lecture.
“I trust the serum is in your bag?” Max stated simply as his gaze fell upon it.
“That is correct.”
“I would like to see it,” Max said with eagerness.
“In a moment. I want to make sure we are clear on something. When I hand this to you, what assurances do I have that you will use this in the way it was intended? I went through a thorough process to learn all about enzymes, not necessarily on parr with Doctor Leadstone, but enough to convince her I knew more than the basics. And then had to befriend her, and at your request, kill her.”
Max eased forward in his chair. “Why wouldn’t I have the best interest of the O blood types? All the A and B’s deserve to feed on just the O’s, blood, and by the serum stripping off the antigens from the red blood cells, we will make it happen!”
“And my tattoo? Will I get another blood droplet under a fang, like promised? Because I am not handing the serum over unless I get a guarantee!”
“Of course. You have my word.”
Max’s assistant walked in and came around the desk. She whispered something for a few moments that made Max nod several times.
“Thank you.” His assistant left without looking at Stephen.
Stephen looked at the closed door, then at Max. “Tell me, Max, why did your friend take my watch away?”
Clayton shrugged his shoulders. “It’s a standard security protocol.”
“But this is neutral ground. It should not matter,” Stephen argued.
“It is especially prudent on neutral ground,” Max said with conviction.
“Why?”
“Are we here to talk about your watch or the serum?”
“The watch first. It’s important to me. I need some sort of basis for trusting you.”
Max sighed. “Very well. We don’t allow any devices of any kind. Cell phones, USB sticks, tablets, laptops, you get my drift. We do not allow them on neutral ground in case an incident should occur. If there was a recording of secret talks, or if a fight erupted here, then there would be no need for a place for all blood type vampires to meet without the risk of war.”
Stephen shrugged. “A laptop is a laptop. A phone is a phone. A watch is a watch.”
“A laptop, USB, or phone, and a watch may contain listening devices or cameras.”
Stephen leaned forward. “It’s just a watch.”
“If it’s just a watch, then it should not matter if you don’t get it back until after our meeting is over.”
Stephen leaned forward and peered at Max. “Tell me, Max, do you even know the significance of the watch?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Perhaps you could let me know? That way, I would feel I can trust you a lot more than I do right now.”
“Sure, I’d be happy to,” Max said as he put his arms around his head and leaned back in his chair. “The watch is a blood type indicator. You scan the person with the watch, by waving it up and down, or side by side, and it automatically displays your blood type regardless if you are human or vampire. As an added feature, it can tell if you’re a vampire of a certain type or if you are human.”
“And the reason for such a device?” Stephen inquired.
“To differentiate between humans and vampires,” Max replied.
“How can they tell humans and vampires apart?”
“Vampires have thicker bone density and almost impenetrable skin, which the watch scans and identifies. Satisfied?”
“Why would we need to know that, Max?”
“To gauge if they are friend or foe.”
Stephen smiled and stood up. “I think our business here is concluded.” He got up and handed Max the tote bag.
Max grabbed the bag and led him to the door. “I will contact you when your tattoo ceremony is ready.”
Stephen nodded eagerly, shook hands, and walked out the door.
Max’s friend was waiting for him. She handed back Stephen his watch and led him to a nearby door.
Stephen looked around in annoyance. “This is a different door than I came through.”
“This is the back door exit. Please proceed.”
As Stephen passed her, the woman grabbed Stephen from behind and snapped his neck. Stephen was dead before he hit the floor.
“Humans,” she said as he bent down and took the watch off Stephen’s wrist.
She walked back to Max’s office and handed him the watch.
“Good job, Desiree.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“How did the Fellowship of the Fangs get their hands on such technology?” Max asked as he looked over the silver watch.
Desiree looked at him. “Sir, I have been your bodyguard for three centuries, and in that timeframe, I have never seen the O blood types display any sort of technological advantage over the other blood types.”
“I disagree, Desiree.”
“What do you mean?”
“Firstly, Maryl had the capability to produce a great deal of the fine grey misty powder that killed most of my family. And that was over three hundred years ago.”
“I remember, sir. I was there.”
“Of course, Desiree. You saved mine and other A and B vampires that gruesome day.”
Desiree nodded.
“Secondly, Maryl Rosser hasn’t seemed to have aged as quickly as Sol or even Ray. How?”
Desiree shrugged her powerful shoulders.
“Fourth, Stephen Ward was able to penetrate a top-secret institute which took a clearance level even I couldn’t get.”
He went to the window behind his desk and put his hands behind his back. “And lastly, Stephen’s alliance with the Fellowship of the Fangs who have the technology and skill to read and project blood types from humans and vampires, all from a simple watch!”
“Sir, may I be blunt?”
Max came around the desk and stood inches from Desiree. “Of course. You of all people should know I respect your opinions.”
“With what you just told me, there is a secret war that has been going on behind your back, and I think you’re losing. You have always depended upon your brute strength for countless eons. The O’s are fighting back. After all, the O’s comprise only two of the eight
