“Sis,” Victor said under his breath, “Ipromise I’m trying. I’m basing the technology to create a vaccineon the AI research of—”
“Yeah, that’s great,” she interrupted, notwanting details. Besides, he would just name some people she’dnever heard of and then launch into an explanation more confusingthan deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. He was always goodfor that. She loved him to pieces, but Victor had never been goodat reading the room. “Seriously. I’m proud of you.”
Her compliment made him blush. “I just wisha cure was possible,” he sighed. “If it is, I sure as hell don’tknow how to engineer one.”
A thought struck her. Her eyebrows drewtogether. “I’ve seen all your baggage so I know you brought a lotof supplies back from our world, but even if you create a vaccineyou can’t possibly have enough needles to jab the arm of everysingle Campbell and Gunn.”
“You’re right. I don’t have enough.”
“So how will you choose who gets it?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll base it on wholikely had the most exposure.”
“Is there a way to go back to the future?You know, long enough to get needles and whatever else wouldhelp?”
“Afraid not. The serum I invented is aone-way ticket to 1155 A.D.”
Veronica frowned thoughtfully. “Too badthere isn’t a way.”
“I’m glad there isn’t a way.”
“Why?”
“Because I know you. You’d go backregardless of the risk to your life.”
“Probably,” she admitted.
“Definitely,” he countered. At herself-deprecating grin, he added, “It wouldn’t be safe anyway. Notanymore. I told you the future has no future.”
“But it would only be for as long as it tookto gather supplies. I—”
“No way,” Victor interrupted. “They haveevolved too much now. A year ago, hell three months ago, drinkingwater that an eater’s liquified flesh had accidentally gotten intowouldn’t have contaminated you. Now it can.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re right,” Veronicamurmured. “I never considered that. I don’t know why that wasn’tobvious to me before, but there it is.”
They were silent for a prolonged pause, butcontinued to dance. Eventually Veronica broke the silence. “Are youplanning to return to the Campbells soon?” She imagined he was, butwasn’t certain.
“I’ll have to,” her brother confessed. “Ineed to see if the virus is contained or spreading. I also mustknow if those who appear to be gaining a natural immunity are stillshowing no signs of the sickness returning.”
She prayed their fevers didn’t return. Thatwould be too reminiscent of how they’d lost their parents. Aftermom and daddy’s deaths, the reanimations of the newly deceased hadbegun just a few short weeks later. She was grateful their parentshad passed on before the resurrection of the dead commenced.
“I’m going with you,” Veronica warned herbrother. “With weapons.”
“Not without your husband you willna.”
Lachlan’s proclamation startled her. Shehadn’t seen him approach. “You scared me!” She hoped he wouldn’tmake a big to-do over her decision, but was prepared to stand herground if he did.
He grunted. “Just promise me you willna donyour hellion attire and try to go without my protection.”
“Victor, go back to Catriona,” Veronicainstructed. After her brother made his awkward exit, she turned toher husband. “I promise,” she said in hushed tones. “But I amdefinitely wearing my hellion attire.”
He snorted at that. “So long as I am withyou, wear what you desire.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, relieved that hewasn’t trying to strongarm her into staying behind. “I can’t killeaters in a gown. And if the Campbells have eaters, I’m definitelykilling them.”
“As am I.”
“But only the eaters, right? We aren’tkilling survivors. It’s important that we keep them alive.”
