Adam raised his hands in an attempt to quiet the crowd. “I can tell you firsthand that vampires are definitely among us. They’ve been coexisting in the shadows for centuries.”
“Prove it,” someone shouted.
“That’s bullshit,” another person yelled. “Those images we’ve seen on TV of Sam Mason are probably photoshopped.”
I cringed at the mention of my name. I didn’t need any more public attention.
Adam shook his head. “There is nothing fake about Sam Mason. In fact, he’s the one each of you should be worried about. He’s the most lethal of them all.” He placed a hand on his chest as though he was about to say the Pledge of Allegiance. “As I stand before you today, Sam Mason and his team are holding my brother, Fred, in a dungeon on the naval base in Massachusetts. They’ve probably drained his blood.” He looked into the camera like he was glaring daggers directly at me. “Sam Mason, if you’re listening, I implore you to release my brother. He’s done nothing wrong.” He sounded like he was about to cry.
“Fuuuuuck!” I roared, grabbing my head as fury whipped around my throat and strangled me.
I would never be able to live freely anymore. Not that I could at the moment, but Adam had just stuck a nail in my coffin, sealing the fucking thing shut forever along with those of every other vampire on the planet.
My dad had been right when he told Jack Aberdeen that Adam would use the media to his advantage, and he was putting on a great show. He solidified his fake demeanor by plucking a handkerchief from the breast pocket of his suit jacket then wiped his eyes.
I opened and closed my fists, desperately in need of punching something, preferably the nose off Adam’s ugly face.
A brunette reporter held out her microphone with her station’s logo, CBC 4. “Mr. Emery, are you saying your brother was captured by vampires in our military for his blood?” Her voice had risen an octave.
The four of us were riveted to the screen. I couldn’t speak for my counterparts, but I was anxious as hell to hear Adam’s response.
Instead, Roman’s mouth curled on one side as he leaned in toward the podium. “As Adam said a moment ago, vampires coexist among us, even in our military. Some higher echelons within the human government have known about them for eons.”
“So, a secret group,” the CBC 4 reporter said. “I heard they’re Navy SEALs.”
I would like to know who the culprit was broadcasting this factual information. “Do we have a mole?” I asked, even though Roman could’ve very well leaked that to the press.
“Shoot me if we do,” Tripp piped in.
“Rumor also has it they protect humanity,” the CBC 4 reporter said.
“Fuck me sideways,” I belted out. “We need to look within our ranks. Roman wouldn’t offer up that type of Goody Two-shoes information.”
Swear words buzzed left and right, humming to a loud roar.
My father’s face was bloodred. “The council will be up in arms, as will the Secretary of the Navy.”
The secretary was one human within the DOD chain of command who knew about us. Though he and his undersecretary might not be able to shield us from their colleagues any longer.
Tim Cox angled his microphone at Roman and Adam. “So is this revolutionary prototype you mentioned the weapon to kill these vampires like Sam Mason?”
“Why do they have to keep saying my fucking name?” I asked no one.
Adam patted his forehead with his handkerchief. “I believe the only way to stop this type of enemy is to fight fire with fire.” He glanced at Roman as if seeking his permission.
Maybe Adam wasn’t king in this freak show.
The crowd of reporters began launching questions at Adam.
“Are you saying you’re building a vampire?”
“Are you one of them?”
That brunette reporter from CBC 4 spoke up again. “I don’t understand. If vampires like Sam protect humans, why would you want to kill the military vampires?”
I made a mental note to find out who she was. Maybe she could tell me who her informant was. Plus, she sounded as if she was digging the idea of what we did for humans.
The media was getting out of control, which was a prelude into how other humans would react. Chaos, for fucking sure.
