Jared nodded. “Yep, my old Hive in Brisbane does not allow any more cullings or new vampires. All ash and newly changed vamps are killed upon turning, unless you can convince another Hive to take you. The vampires stay holed up in their massive compound, and only use bottled blood. So we don’t have to worry about humans going there for feedings.”
“So these shipments happen every three months,” I said. “Do we know when the next date is?”
Jayden grinned, and I took that as a good sign. “We’re in luck. The Christmas shipment is due to be processed in about three weeks. Which means if we can somehow get the cure into their blood supply and into the humans before then … well, we might be vampireless by Christmas.”
Ryder straightened. “If Becca is done by then, getting the cure into the blood won’t be too difficult. But how will it work with the humans? We’ll need to make sure it not only enters their blood but stays in there long enough for them to make it to their many destinations.”
All eyes went to the science geek in the room. If anyone was going to know about blood and stuff, it was Becca. She blinked a few times, pushing her glasses up in a nervous, awkward manner. “Uh, well, I can definitely give the cure the ability to stay in the blood, but those cells do not last indefinitely. Red blood cells last about four months and white a little longer. It’ll all depends how the cure bonds to the human cells. I need to do some experimenting once I create it. I’m going to need a vampire or two to test on.”
No one blinked or looked horrified by her suggestion for vamp testing. I for one thought it was a much better idea than testing on an innocent animal. I wasn’t planning on getting consent from a vamp.
Jared even chuckled. “That can easily be arranged. I know more than a few vamps who could stand to be poked and prodded a little.”
Nods all around. None of us were fans of our sires.
Jayden, who must have been mulling over Ryder’s previous words, piped up then. “All of the humans are required to undergo blood tests, and to receive a vaccine that covers them for the flu and some other illnesses. The vamps don’t like their subjects to get sick while they’re working for them. If we could get the cure into the flu shot, or whatever it is, then we could make sure the humans and bottled blood are covered all in one go. And I think the easiest way with the cure is to somehow infiltrate the Cellway warehouse. That’s the company who makes the special UV resistant bottles for the blood. Get the cure into the bottom of those bottles, pose as delivery drivers, then drop cure-laced bottles off. The blood will then be added to the cure without them knowing.”
He turned to Becca. “Will the cure be only a tiny amount of liquid in the bottom of the bottle, like virtually undetectable?”
She took a second to think before nodding. “Yes, it’ll be very small in quantity per bottle, and clear.”
I could feel the excitement through the room. This was all coming together, a plan we could actually work with. OMFG. My body was practically vibrating as more of our plan started to come together. It wasn’t going to be easy, and we would have to be so careful because one word of this getting back to the vampires and we’d all be screwed. But this could really work.
I could actually end this, all of this. No more vampires with no oxytocin, no more forcing ash into cullings. No more new ash at all. Life as we knew it would completely change.
“So what’s the actual plan for us while Becca is working on the cure and before we take over the Cellway bottle shipments?” I said. No way were we just sitting around here playing cards.
Ryder’s eyes were light silver, so he was dealing okay with the plan so far, even with the inherent danger to me and his men. I think the loss of all the Portland enforcers did something to him. Hardened his resolve. He was now right there with me. The vampires needed to be ended.
“We need to get a warning out to all the ash across the Hives. There’s this network which is underground and exclusive for ash. A place for information exchange. Was initiated years ago when an infamous ash tried to rise up and rebel against the cullings. He’s dead now, but the underground lived on and it’s online now. A way to share messages with other Hives and ensure that only the ash will see it. The only problem is that a single ash controls it all, and no information gets up there without his input.”
My head swung around and I nailed Sam with a look. “Are you telling me that you’re not in charge of the underground computer ash program or whatever it is?”
The silent enforcer actually chuckled, and Becca’s eyes were all a swirl of silver. “I was offered it once, but it requires you to basically drop off the radar. The informant for the underground is a heavily protected secret, a single ash who holds the key to all information. He’ll have to move around freely, and have no liabilities. I had Becca and the guys to worry about, so I passed on the position.”
“Where does this ash live?”
Ryder and Sam exchanged a glance. Sam answered me. “No one knows. Rumors circulate, but nothing concrete. Last I heard he had a brother holed up in the California Hive. The only way we’re going to be able to find out is if we go down there and draw out their enforcers. Someone will hopefully have the information. Find the brother, find the leader of the network.”
“Are we all going?” I had to ask, because knowing Ryder, he’d already decided to stash me in an igloo at the top of a mountain somewhere.
Instead, the lead enforcer surprised me by nodding. “Yes, I don’t trust anyone else but us to watch your back, and I need all the boys there in case shit goes down. We’ll travel in two groups and meet up when we’re all there.”
I nodded, okay holy shit. It was scary going back to a city with a Hive. Everyone was gunning for me. This was going to be like real life on the run.
Becca stood abruptly. “Well, I’ve been working on something for Sammy, a surprise. I only have four of them so you’ll have to share, but it’ll be perfect for your trip.” She dashed out of the room.
Upon return she had four camelbacks in her hand. They were water pouches with straws that you could hook on your backpack, but the tops had some metallic tape or panel. I’d seen hikers use these often in Portland.
Becca looked ready to bubble over in excitement. “Taste it,” she told Ryder.
He looked skeptical for a moment but put his lips to the straw and sucked. What looked like blood come up through the straw and into his mouth. He raised his eyebrows, looking impressed.
“It’s cold!” he said.
Becca smiled. “Yes, I built solar panel fabric into the top. As you hike or walk around, the panel gets charged and runs current down to the cooling element inside the fabric. Cold fresh blood no matter where you are. It holds quite a bit because I have expanded the inner lining. This should get you to California and back.”
Sam’s eyes hadn’t left her. “Thank you, Becca.” His voice was gruff.
