The kitchen the man led him into was much the same, with gray-green cabinets, stove, and island, and matching speckled, gray countertops.
Against one wall, near a red wooden kitchen table that was slightly off center, placed a bit away from a large window, was a white display cabinet with glass doors that was full of dishes. Said kitchen table could probably sit eight, yet…there was only one green wooden chair.
Apparently, the man didn’t like guests.
Sitting down, Doc picked up a yellow tea cup that he’d likely been drinking out of before Foxx had arrived. The vampire took a sip before raising a single brow and asking, “Well?”
“Have you seen the news?”
“Have I seen the possibly catastrophic breaking news that may lead to us once again being hunted down like animals? Is that what you are asking me?”
“No, I was talking about the dolphins they freed many states away! Yes,thatfucking news, you ass.” Foxx rolled his eyes. “Hold the snark for a second, Doc.” Taking out his phone, he quickly pulled up the case email, scrolling to the videos. “What I’m going to show you hasn’t been shared with the public.”
Doc sighed, set his tea down and leaned forward when Foxx pressed play. The vampire started to frown. A frown that continued to deepen as Foxx moved to the next video once the first had finished.
When the last recording stopped, Doc looked up at him, his gaze narrowed and sharp. “Why are you here, Foxx?”
“Because I was one of the hunters that was sent there. And…in a moment of caution…I secretly…” He hesitated on thinking of the heartbeat he'd heard in the clinic. “Took something from the last vampire we came across,” he finished vaguely as he pulled out the blood bag.
Doc eyed him silently, before reaching for the bag. Foxx stepped back. “It’s all that is left, Doc.” His gaze flicked in the direction of the clinic.
Sighing, the man stood. “Follow me.”
Foxx pocketed the blood bag and followed the man through his house and into the clinic. Doc’s clinic had white floors, sage green walls, and gray furniture. Those colors were an ongoing theme throughout. They sent a fake smile to the man’s receptionist, who frowned in slight confusion as they passed her and headed into the back. It's likely she hadn’t heard them talking at all, but the risk was just not worth taking at this point.
Foxx trailed behind the man as they walked down the hall, past the examination rooms, stopping in front of a silver door that looked…secure. It was markedLabs - Authorized Personnel Only. The man pulled open the thick metal door and waved him inside.
Foxx slowly walked in, eyeing the scripture that was engraved on the edge of the door where it met the wall. Doc’s lab was on the larger size, and besides the walls being sage green, the rest was all white.
The outside of the room was lined with counters and cabinets, while in the middle there was a long island with chairs underneath. To the left of the island there looked to be an examination table, and to the right of that, in the only area where there wasn’t counter space, was a sturdy-looking wooden desk, and a green desk chair. Medical equipment, and what he assumed was testing equipment, was everywhere.
Doc followed in after him. Closing the door behind them, the man turned no less than three locks before spinning to face Foxx.
“There, we are sealed in. It’s soundproofed, and no one has a key except for me.”
“You have to understand…the bodies were destroyed. No one knows. No one can know we have this. It’s the only hope we have of stopping whatever Maverick is planning.”
Foxx winced as the name slipped out. So much for vampires being good at secrets…
The man stiffened and crossed his arms. “So, I wasn’t imagining the familiarity I felt on hearing that voice,” the man said thickly, his accent out in full now.
“You've…met the man?”
“Unfortunately. But…” Doc smirked smugly. “Unlucky for him, I survived.”
“Then I don’t need to explain what would happen if the wrong people found out this exists, and that I gave it to you,” Foxx said as he pulled out the blood bag and held it out to Doc—who took it without hesitation.
“Death and likely dismemberment, I’m sure.” The man’s smile grew. “Let’s find out just how unlucky it was that Maverick failed to kill me in my moment of weakness, shall we… But first…” The vampire eyed Foxx, before dragging a chair over from under the island counter with his foot. “Take a seat. Tell me all that you saw, all that you know, and what you gathered from fighting these…infected vampires. Don’t leave anything out. If we want to figure out what the hell they did, and how to stop it, I need to know everything.”
Foxx took a deep breath as he sat down and started from the beginning.
Harlow gripped Alastair’s wrists, holding the man’s clawed hands away from himself with ease. The vampire was actually trying to get to him…he could tell…he was just…failing horribly.
Harlow supposed he shouldn’t be shocked at how weak the man was, considering Alastair hadn’t been able to get past Foxx. And while he had to put in some real effort to overpower his brat, the fact was, hecouldoverpower Foxx now. Actually…Harlow had a feeling he wouldn’t have had any trouble dealing with Alastair when he’d still been ‘human’.
“Alastair, stop. I don’t want to kill you,” he said blankly. “No…actually, I don’t care if you live or die. But for one, you dying would make Foxx sad. And two, he’d probably dump me, even if he understood that you attacked first. Neither of those things happening works for me.”
“You are such a selfish ASSHOLE!” Alastair hissed.
