CHAPTER ONE
Elias was alone in his lab; he’d gone through varying combinations over a thousand times, and yet the combination for the desired outcome eluded him. The models and analyses said one thing, and his results said something else. Something was missing, something vital but indistinct. What was he missing?
He looked around the massive laboratory provided to him by the Mercier Center and wondered, with so much at his fingertips and with everything making sense on paper, why was he failing? It was late, so he decided to sleep on it and start fresh in the morning. The answer was there, it was close, and he would find it. Closing up his workstation and shutting down the lab was easy enough. The Mercier Center was fully programmed; he only had to sign out, and the place began shutting down automatically.
They valued their privacy, and it was understandable that their scientists were working on ventures that could be life-changing and certainly profitable for the organization. His lab was located in the subbasement, completely separated and secure from other projects.
Mr. Mercier was funding many projects, but he seemed to be most excited about Elias’ progress. The possibility of extending life to a longevity that included health and vitality was something no one had achieved. This wasn’t just about living a healthy life and extending life by a few years; this was a serum that would guarantee immortality. It was considered fantasy, but Elias was making it fact.
He took the stairs down to the main basement level, then took the elevator to the ground floor. Elias would start fresh in the morning, the answer was within reach, and tomorrow he would get there. There were only three more variables to contend with, and one of them was the answer he was sure of. Excitement shot through him as he hurried out, saying a quick goodbye to Rodney at the front desk before rushing out and hailing a cab.
He didn’t notice the black sedan that followed or the men who had been watching him for days from a bench across the street. Elias didn’t notice anything beyond his work, his designs, his calculations, and his projections. His secret project had come to the attention of a section of society that dealt with issues quietly and permanently eliminated them.
“The matter requires an immediate solution,” Cullen reported to Master Stone. “Evidence shows the research is dangerously close to success, and that cannot happen.” Master Stone moved from his desk over to the long white sofa and sat down, indicating for Cullen to take a seat. He sat in the chair opposite and waited.
Master Alexander Stone considered the information and thought for several minutes. Ordering the execution of a scientist, a human scientist, was not something he did lightly.“Show me your evidence.” He said, and Cullen pulled up the information on his tablet and handed it to Alexander.
“It’s a private lab owned by the Mercier Corporation. Dr. Elias Vance is heading the project. He is studying how human cells react to a rare, recently discovered pathogen, a blood factor. He somehow came into the possession of vampiric blood.” Cullen explained.
“What’s the outcome?” This was serious and forbidden knowledge. The man was crossing a highly protected threshold. Alexander’s orders would need to be swift and final.
“He will get the desired results by tomorrow, according to our expert’s estimation. He works alone in a subbasement of the Mercier Center in Norfolk. His work is kept very private, apart from a few people on the board; no one knows what he is doing.” Alexander handed the tablet back and nodded.
“Do what you need to do, Cullen. It’s unfortunate, but we cannot risk the life and safety of our people.” He paused for a moment and then continued thoughtfully. “Follow this as far as it goes. Find the source of the blood, find everyone involved, and end this.”
“I’ve called Kael Volkov of the Guardians, and he should be here within the hour,” Cullen stated, and Alexander nodded in agreement. The Guardians were an elite rank of assassins whose primary purpose was to uphold the vampiric code and guard the secret. They were developed and trained by the Crimson Coven to eliminate threats wherever they appeared.
Kael was a centuries-old warrior, highly respected for his strength and skill. He’d been with the Order of the Guardian since its inception and excelled in his work. Kael handled every assignment with professionalism and efficiency. His cold surgical strikes were legendary, along with his ability to remain unseen and disappear completely.
He was finishing a job in Savannah when he received the call from his commander, Cullen Volakis. Savannah had been clean and straightforward, a simple execution without tangents. From the brief he’d received, it looked as if Norfolk was not going to be such a case. It involved a research facility and a scientist, who were usually accompanied by numerous support personnel and supervisors. Scientific research was broad and deep, but he would flesh out everyone's involvement.
As instructed, he went straight to Cullen’s office upon arrival. He was ushered in by the guard on duty. “Kael.” Cullen addressed him. Kael stood at attention, awaiting his orders. Cullen handed him the brief and then explained his mission.
“You are to observe and eliminate the human scientist Dr. Elias Vance, whose illicit research poses a threat to all vampire kind.” Cullen began. “The Council spy detected his proximity to our forbidden knowledge, and that cannot stand. The case was given to us because the facility where he works, the Mercier Center, is in Norfolk, which is part of our territory.”
“Research facilities employ many and information flows.” Kael did not need to say more.
“Determine the extent of this flow and handle it accordingly. Make sure not a trace or memory of his work remains.” Cullen was cold and final.
“It will be done, sir.”
Elias woke early and, after coffee and toast, began running figures and formulas through his head. Of the three remaining possibilities, he was most confident that the issue was temperature and would take that approach first. He finished his coffee and grabbed his briefcase. Elias also worked at the local university as a lecturer and grant writer. It differed starkly fromthe work he did for Orion Mercier, the billionaire financier. Working at the university gave him pride and purpose that were lacking at the research center.
The support and the ability to pursue his research were appreciated, but gradually, he began to feel that any breakthrough would simply mark market gains within the Mercier Corporation. It was all about money and power, and if he thought about it too long, it made him a little ashamed. The drive to succeed was fierce and unstoppable, but the pang of who would benefit and who would not was always there.
He consoled himself by believing that, by the sheer presence of his breakthrough, the benefits would eventually trickle down to all... The formula would heal and protect, and he could not, in good conscience, walk away. It was an internal dialogue he had with himself nearly every morning, hoping that the nagging concern that sat in the back of his heart would be appeased.
As Elias made his way to the front door, he noticed a black luxury car parked and waiting for him. Orion Mercier started sending a car for him whenever he wanted Elias in his office immediately. He never considered Elias’ schedule or responsibilities; everything in his life bent to the Mercier Corporation because they were paying his way. No one ever said no to Orion Mercier.
Upon arrival, Elias was told to go to Mercier’s office, where he stood outside the door and waited. After approximately fifteen minutes, an assistant approached him. “He’s in the spa, and he asked for you to join him there.” Elias had no clue where the spa was, but the assistant smiled and beckoned him to follow her.
The spa was located on the same floor as Mr. Mercier’s office, but at the back of the building, very private and very pretentious. This was a show of dominance, something Mr. Mercier engaged in periodically with Elias. He liked to make sure he knew who was boss and just how insignificant he was. It was performative, and Elias had to play his part.
He walked in and saw Mr. Mercier lying on a table while a man in a tan uniform massaged his back and legs. He turned toward Elias when he entered. He didn’t smile; he simply stared hard and directly. “When will I see progress?” He demanded as the masseuse lowered the towel so as to run his hands aggressively over Mr. Mercier’s ass. God, he hated this man.
Elias launched into a detailed explanation of the direction, outcomes, and the tentative timetable of progress. He was not pleased with Elias, and his face showed the anger and exasperation boiling up in his chest.
“I’ve given you everything you requested, and now I expect a return on my investment. Your time is running out, and if you cannot produce the results you promised, then I will find someone who can.” He swatted the masseuse away and rolled to a seated position with all his parts on full display. Orion Mercier was somewhere in his forties and not bad-looking, but the core aspects of his personality detracted greatly from his attractiveness.
