I process this. Maximus maintains a containment wing. Keeps vampires who are going feral from contaminated blood, tries to treat them instead of just putting them down.
That's… not what I expected.
"You did well," Marcellus says grudgingly. "Quick thinking. Good instincts."
"I've fought before."
"So Maximus said." He studies me for a moment. "Perhaps you will be useful after all."
Before I can respond, another voice cuts through the hallway.
"What happened?"
Maximus strides toward us, his expression controlled but his eyes sharp. Taking in the scene, me with torn clothes and fresh bruises already healing, Marcellus with the empty syringe, Elena looking shaken.
"One of the contaminated went feral," Marcellus reports. "Michael. We have him sedated and secured now."
Maximus's gaze shifts to me. "You helped subdue him."
It's not a question.
"Yes."
"I told you to rest."
"I was exploring. He attacked. I reacted."
Something flickers across his face, too quick to identify. Then he turns to Marcellus. "Increase Michael's sedation dosage. I want him monitored every fifteen minutes. If he destabilizes further, notify me immediately."
"Understood."
Maximus looks at Elena. "Make sure the other containment subjects are secure. I don't want any more incidents tonight."
"On it." Elena hurries off.
Then it's just me and Maximus in the hallway, standing too close, both of us assessing the other.
"You should have stayed in the medical facility," he says.
"Probably."
"But you didn't."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I needed to understand where I am and what I've agreed to. And because I don't take orders well when I don't understand the reasoning behind them."
I expect anger. Irritation, at least. Instead, his expression softens almost imperceptibly.
"Fair enough," he says. "Come with me. If you're well enough to fight feral vampires, you're well enough for a tour."
He starts walking, and after a moment's hesitation, I follow.
Chapter
Four
