“Just a hypothesis.”
“Let’s hear it,” Clayton said with a heavy heart.
“Maryl succeeded in wiping out a significant portion of the A positive and O positives in the Midwest. If she continues her mad quest, her blood type will be the dominant species of vampires in the United States within two to five years. And in five to ten years? She may be able to control the feeding population of the world, especially if she gets her hands on the serum you stole.”
Clayton pondered Desiree’s theory. “Maryl has always sought to control the playing field. Her actions of late suggest you may be correct. Perhaps it’s because she can only consume her own blood type, whereas I can feed off any human?”
Desiree interjected. “I don’t think it is derived from jealousy if that is what you’re suggesting. I think it stems from self-preservation.” She looked at Clayton. “How’s the transformation of the serum coming along? Figured it out yet?”
Clayton leaned forward in his chair and interlocked his fingers. “No, and I’m afraid we won’t be able to. We don’t have anyone on my science team that comes close to Doctor Leadstone’s knowledge. Even her laptop provided no clues.”
“Then, in my eyes, you only have two options if you can’t reconstitute the serum where it would only accept the A’s and B’s.”
“Why are you trying to help me? If I produced the serum, you would not survive.”
“At this point, I no longer care. I do not want to be in the crosshairs of your feud.”
Clayton looked at her carefully. He still didn’t fully trust her. “And what would those two choices be?”
“The first one is obvious. Destroy the enzymes.” She put up her hands. “I know what you’re thinking. Why would I want you to destroy the serum when it would benefit me as well.”
“That thought did cross my mind.”
“Maryl is trying to play god. And you are too by trying to reconstruct the enzymes conducive to your blood types. I want no part of either scenario! Vampire wars were fought over lesser things.”
Clayton smiled as he put his fingers to his lips. “And the second possibility?”
“Keep the serum as a bargaining chip with Maryl.”
Clayton was horror struck. “That would be suicide if I traded something for the serum!”
Desiree put up a finger for emphasis. “Not if you slightly alter the sequence where it renders it ineffective.”
“Slightly? Huh, that does hold merit! But what does Maryl possess that I would want for the serum? I have never been to her estate or any other properties she owns.”
Desiree rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so materialistic. It doesn’t have to be a thing. It could be knowledge or something that isn’t tangible.”
“I will take what you said into consideration.”
“And I will not,” Jack said as he walked down the stairs and entered the large lobby. He sat across from Clayton.
“And what say do you have in this matter?” Desiree asked in confusion.
“I am the head scientist here, an AB positive like Clayton. I can smell your O negative lies!”
“You have another plan, head scientist?” Desiree asked cynically.
“Yes. We continue on course, with no swerves or deviations, by seeking advice from you!” Jack said in a tiff.
Desiree stood up and handed Clayton a piece of paper.
“Leaving so soon?” Clayton asked.
“Yes. Here’s my phone number in case you come to your senses and don’t listen to the jerk head scientist.”
Clayton took the piece of paper, folded it, and put it in his front pocket.
Desiree zipped away.
“I never trust two things, Clayton.”
“What are they?” he asked as he saw Desiree’s truck speeding away.
“A pretty woman and the two O blood types. And she fits in both categories.”
Chapter Eighteen
Trevor the Giant’s Compound
August 24th
“Where the hell is Clayton, The Archetype? And why hasn’t he responded to the provocation by Maryl Rosser?” Trevor, the Giant, yelled at his most trusted second in command, Joshua.
Joshua got up, and swatted flies off his finished meal. “Beats me, Trevor. Personally, I think he and Maryl have gone off the deep end.”
Trevor rose his six-foot eleven-inch frame and stood next to Joshua, who was five foot nine. “I need answers and not opinions! Find him!”
Joshua looked to the ceiling and sighed. “Trevor, all the blood types are looking for him and all for different reasons.”
Trevor put up a large finger. “Ray is no longer looking for him since Maryl broke their alliance and killed him!”
“She also took care of Octavus the Brooder along with a large portion of his A positive vampires.”
Trevor looked at his phone and replayed one of the videos a private number had sent him. How they got his number was a mystery. The videos were disturbing. “With Maryl’s gray, and now green powder, we dare not attack her lest she destroys all of our B negative brothers and sisters!”
Joshua looked at him in amazement. “Um, Trevor, I think she will attack us whether or not we seek justice or vengeance, depending on your perspective.”
Trevor was going to respond when his phone vibrated in his hand. He looked at Joshua. “Another message from our friend, the private caller.”
“What does it say?” Joshua asked as he looked in Trevor's fridge for more blood.
Trevor’s eyes lit up. “Come, Joshua! Our mystery caller just gave us Clayton’s location! We need answers! I am tired of the feud between Clayton and Maryl! Bring as many men with us as you can find!” Trevor said as he flew out of the dining room to the outside.
Trevor and six dozen vampires crammed into several cars, with Joshua driving the lead car and Trevor in the passenger’s seat.
“Why is this person sending you videos of Maryl’s crimes, and now provide us with Clayton’s location?” Joshua asked as he peeled out of the long gravel driveway.
Trevor’s arm leaned on the outside of the car. “I don’t know. Maybe someone that they loved was killed in the raid? Maybe they have a beef with Maryl?”
“Maybe.”
“Can’t you
