The Forbidden Cure
Prologue
“Now that growing concerns about the deadly virus known as Rispenitis has officially hit in the East, here’s what we know: a resident of Eastbourne Hills returned from the West where the outbreak began.
Officials say over five hundred people have been infected and nine people have died.
The National Health Organization is holding an emergency meeting right now.
Magica Johnson is in Eastbourne Hills right now with the latest news. Good Evening, Magica.”
“The man is a middle-aged gentleman from Eastbourne Hills and has reported symptoms of coughing, nosebleeds, and tightness of the chest. Doctors have mentioned that these symptoms are very uncommon and when recognized, help should be seeked immediately. The patient has remained in isolation for the past couple of days and they will continue to monitor him as well as the health care providers and patients he came in contact with after testing positive for Rispenitis.”
“Karlton,” Lyndon said in a serious yet calm tone. “We understand and are well aware of the circumstances. All our families are at risk… including us all.”
“Understood,” Karlton said, nodding his head as his chest heaved heavily. He took a deep breath in and slowly sat down in his seat and averted his attention to the head of the table.
Since the outbreak, no vamps have been able to rest without being able to feed.
Many vamps have taken the risk of feeding on humans without even considering the consequences.
Because of that, many lives have been lost. As the vampire elders of each region commune to discuss the state of their world, they hope to come up with a solution.
Many of the royal families within the covens have their own stash of blood in case of emergencies, but with many of them helping those without, they’re running low.
The vamps are in a tight spot and need to figure out how they can all survive–let alone figure out how to tell which humans are infected and who aren’t.
Phoenix cleared his throat conspicuously as all the elders of each region turned their heads to face his direction; Karlton Ramos of the West, Charles Baldwin of the South, Iman Bennett of the North, and Lyndon Morgan, Phoenix’s consigliere.
Each vamp was not only head of their region but had a duty to protect their covens.
If there was anything ever out of order or something of great dealing that needed to be done, they were the ones to get it done.
Phoenix Denzel was the elder of the East and the head elder of the vampire society.
If any elders find their hands tied, they are to go to him for assistance.
If any of the elders cross any lines, they have to answer to him.
There was no way around Phoenix Denzel. When he asks a question, you answer.
When he enters a room, you look his way, and when he commands attention, you give it.
“As Elders, we have an assignment and that is to protect and ensure the safety and well-being of our covens. With the outbreak stretching across each region, we must make a decision that is necessary to ensure each vamp remains alive and well. We are unsure of how the outbreak started and how long it will be around,” Phoenix continued.
“I brought you all here today to discuss what our next move will be. We will not leave this table until a decision has been made.”
With the virus running rampant, Phoenix was shaken to the core, but he couldn’t show it.
The massive amount of humans affected by this virus was more than he’d seen in his lifetimes.
He’d seen nothing like it in his 300 years.
It wasn’t one that only infected humans, but took the lives of vamps in a second.
With no distinction between the infected and non-infected civilians, vampire deaths are at a high rate and happening at a rapid speed.
Everything happening to vamps lies on the shoulders of the Elders and the last thing Phoenix wants is more vampire blood on his hands.
“Now, I open the floor for discussion. If you have any solutions or ideas about how we can prevent more deaths in the society, now is the time to speak.” Phoenix leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands together, waiting for a response.
The silence that filled the room thickened the air. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“Don’t all speak at once,” Phoenix chuckled in an attempt to lighten the energy in the room. No one knew what to do, let alone say.
Phoenix took a deep breath. “Here’s what I’m thinking–since we can’t instinctively distinguish which civilians are infected, we need to find a way for vamps to feed without coming in contact with them.
With us all running low on supply, it’s only a matter of time before each of our covens will go without.
The last thing we want to do is for our ability to feed to become obsolete. ”
The elders brainstormed on what they could do. Each idea was inquisitive, but none worth executing. Humans are needed for them to feed and there was no way around those infected.
After hours of sitting around the table and a couple of glasses of bourbon, they were still lost for ideas until…
“I got it!” Lyndon jumped up with excitement as he raised his finger to further express his idea. “I know a guy that has a connection that may help us out.”
“Go on.” Phoenix nodded his head for him to continue.
“My frat brother Kannon, his wife, she owns a blood donation center. What if we can cut a deal with him to supply us with what we need?” Lyndon’s wheels turned and you could see it as his eyes lit up.
Phoenix didn’t see it, and neither did any of the elders at the table.
The chances of a civilian doing business with vamps are slim to none.
Vamps and civilians have walked the earth together for centuries while they simultaneously learned how to stay out of each other’s way.
Civilians had what vamps needed, and vamps had every desire to get what they wanted by any means necessary.
It wasn’t normal for them to exist together, let alone do business together.
Phoenix cleared his throat. “As much as I value that idea, Lyndon, what are the chances that a civilian will cut a deal with a vamp? Why would they even give us their blood supply? You know that’s far from this reality.
” Phoenix was frustrated, and at any moment ready to bust at the seams. They’d been sitting there for hours and the last thing he wanted to hear was a pipe dream they knew they couldn’t entertain.
“Hear me out,” Lyndon said as he patted Phoenix on the back, ensuring confidence in the idea.
He cleared his throat to command the room.
“Kannon and I go way back. Back in college, I looked out for him, and now he owes me a favor. This can be done. He runs an operation through the blood donation center and only uses it to cover his dealings. If there’s anything this guy loves, it’s an opportunity to make some money.
If we provide him with an offer he can’t refuse, he’ll definitely be on board. ”
Phoenix nodded in agreement until he fully grasped everything Lyndon relayed. He turned his face up at the sound of operation. “What kind of operation we talkin’?” he inquired.
“Kannon is a kingpin in the cartel. His family is pretty high-ranked and a big deal in the East. His dealings run deep throughout his bloodline and the donation center is just a spec in his grand territory.” Phoenix nodded his head, taking in everything Kannon was saying.
“All I know is,” Lyndon continued. “He uses the business to cover his tracks. His wife is a retired nurse, and he needed to give her something to do that wouldn’t bring too much attention to his territory. Give to the community and the last thing you have is the feds on your ass.”
Lyndon knew more about the cartel than he led on.
He and Kannon go way back. Lyndon used to look out for Kannon while they were on line pledging Gamma Nu.
Afterward, Kannon felt forever indebted to him.
He looked out for Lyndon after graduation when he couldn’t keep a job because he was in and out of jail.
It was Kannon that got Lyndon his first and current job as the Washington family’s accountant.
Kannon entrusted Lyndon not only with his life, but his money. He wanted to ensure that Lyndon and his family never wanted for anything. By making him in charge of his family funds, he knew they’d be in good hands. Lyndon had a lot to keep secret for the safety of him, his family, and the society.
“Set it up,” Phoenix instructed. “I trust you. If you think this is the answer, let’s do it.”
Lyndon smiled and nodded, reassuring Phoenix that he wouldn’t let him down. He knew he had some convincing to do when it came to Kannon, but he’d figure the rest out along the way. Kannon was a man about his business. He didn’t play or trust just anyone with his operation, let alone his money.
“We’re losing money by the minute, Kannon.
How do we come back from this?” Kaliyah said, leaning over her desk and rubbing her temples.
Kaliyah was an intelligent woman and could solve any problem, but this one was by far out of her league.
Since the outbreak, the blood donation center has been losing money.
Local hospitals aren’t investing in blood banks since they’ve been focused on getting to the bottom of the outbreak and caring for patients.
On top of that, not as many people have been able to provide donations because of the outbreak.
With no one really knowing where it’s coming from or how people are getting infected, the last thing Kaliyah wants to do is put her and her staff in jeopardy.