Balthial falls silent, stunned by this announcement. “Are you mad? They will destroy you the moment you try to access them. It will not work!”
“There are only four gates, and only one Archangel, at each gate who remains loyal. Thanks to your betrayal, I have all the knowledge I need.” He laughs at the look rage on Balthial’s face and spins calling out, “Finish him!” Balthial screams follow Caius as he returns to his car.
He drives quickly to the closest airport and boards a private airplane. “Take me to Dubai,” he orders the pilot and sits in his seat to begin reading the book. “Let us see what secrets you hold.”
Four hours later he is walking into the fifteen-story skyscraper in the city of Dubai. Caius loves this city with its ultra-modern architecture, and with the cutting-edge medical technology here, he has made a fortune. Tomorrow he has planned for the council to observe a hunt, and it is vital that they are on board. They don’t need to know about the book or some of his more interesting creations, yet. As he closes his eyes to rest, he is grinning over the thought of what he will have to do if they deny him.
Chapter 10
“Welcome to Gene I.T., my name is Amani, I will be your guide this afternoon. We are so pleased you could join us for a tour where you will see the future of genetic engineering.” They follow her and look as she gestures to the first observation room on the right. “We specialize in genetic testing for rare, hereditary, disorders. Our shareholders feel is it our responsibility to make every effort to assist those with unusual genetic conditions and eliminate them if possible.”
“Through these glass windows, you see one of our clinical laboratories. This particular lab contains our core lab, microbiology lab, and one of our blood banks.” Surprised looks pass between the visitors and they move closer to the window to watch. Caius loves to stand back and observe the attitude of those visiting. He loves to watch the moment they realize the true potential for full gene analysis by DNA sequencing. He has to pay the bills, and this company allows for the true work that goes on in the laboratories beneath this building.
Today he will present his visitors with a rare opportunity, and if all goes according to plan, they will be persuaded to see him as the asset he is, and not a threat. Sensing their boredom, he steps from the shadows and claps his hands in welcome.
“Good Morning and welcome! Amani, I will take it from here.” Caius turns to the eight visitors and smiles. Amani nods and returns to her post.
“Why are we here, Caius? I’m sure it is not to tour your little company,” Lord Emmanuel sneers. As the eldest member of the vampire council, it is imperative that he be in agreement. The council is made up of eight members. Each no less than a thousand years old. They maintain the rules that govern the vampire colonies.
“That is precisely why you are here, Lord Emmanuel. Follow me, I promise, you will leave satisfied.” Caius leads the group through the halls and into the first of many laboratories. “Genes are found in all living organisms. They are passed on from one to the next in varying ways. The genetic engineers use a process where the DNA is utilized to introduce desirable traits into organisms.”
Caius enters a large elevator and waits for the group to join him. With a quick press of a small panel he watches the shock on their faces as the elevator begins to move in the opposite direction they are expecting. He grins as they go down ten levels beneath the earth. When the doors open, they follow Caius into a massive hanger with a glass bio-dome in the center of the room.
“Welcome to my rain-dome. This is the world’s first underground rainforest. The sphere like structure in the center houses a complete tropical rainforest.” The floor inside the hanger is all concrete with the exception of drains every eight feet. Glass enclosures, full of animals line the hangar walls. Not just any animals, but lions, tigers, cheetahs, wolves, gorilla and more.
A lab technician rolls a cart over with multiple crystal decanters and small shot glasses. Each of the decanters is full of red blood. Caius grins. “Perfect timing. Anyone else thirsty.” Three females and five males stare at each other in confusion, but they are intrigued. More than that, he is counting on their boredom.
“What is the meaning….” Lord Emmanuel stutters and falls silent the moment Caius pops the seal on the decanter. All eight members of the council feel the shockwave roll through as the blood lust strikes. “What is that,” the female hisses? Her eyes have gone completely red, her mouth is pooling with drool and she struggles to control herself. Lord Emmanuel goes to pull her back, stopping when she snarls at him.
“Don’t touch me!”
“What trickery is this?” He demands as he too struggles against the urge to take.
“We must go, now!” One voice whispers, “Can’t control it…” another vamp hisses, only to step forward when Caius pours the blood into shot glasses.
“This is why you are here. Try it, it will take the edge off.” Caius lifts his glass to his lips and smiles as they circle close to watch.
“No. We are leaving!” Lord Emmanuel turns to go, only to realize all the animals are quietly watching them. Every single creature is at the glass of their enclosure and staring intently at them.
“You would
