Ardonis' point of view.
***6 years later***
"Mr. Stepanov...., your blood analysis confirmed it. You have stage three heamatodipsia." I don't move as Dr. Halloran hands me the test results.
For a moment I imagined that perhaps the doctor made a mistake. in the past, Vampires never got truly sick. They were weakened, starved, harmed-but disease didn't touch them.
Until now.
The doctor continued. "It's the same strain recorded in the recent medical reports. Your nervous system will gradually deteriorate. Paralysis begins in approximately six months, and then-"
"Death." I cut in.
Silence thickened the room like fog. Halloran swallowed.
"I'm sorry."
I stood up and left without another word.
I had seen others brought down by this disease. Proud clan lords, brought down gasping for breath while human reporters whispered that perhaps they weren't gods after all.
The drive back surfaced a memory from six years ago.
I remember sitting in my office when the phone rang. The hospital number flashed on the screen. I'd answered casually expecting normal checkup results. Instead, the doctors voice had sounded cheerful.
"Congratulations, Mr. Stepanov. The pregnancy has been confirmed. Mrs. Stepanov is six weeks along."
I'd erupted into joy thinking that yes, finally all my sacrifices were paying off. But by the time I'd gone home, she was gone. I had gone to her father to ask of her whereabouts, even shook him up a little to get him to talk. But he denied knowing where she was. The private investigators found nothing. No travel records, no credit card uses, no footprint, nothing. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
My wife. My unborn child. No note. No trace.
And now six years later, I was dying with no heir to continue my bloodline.
Elara my partner and countess had left me for another Lord. I suspect she must have sensed the disease eating at me and she decided she wanted no part of it. Typical.
I barely remember walking into my office suite-into the board room, where the directors sat in hushed tension.
A project flickered on the wall: Acquisition finalized.
Human government pressure, economic sanctions, pharmaceutical accusations-they had pushed the company to the edge. And now it had been bought by an investor I never heard of. I had been removed as CEO since the new owner had bought the most shares.
"Ardonis," chairman Vale began, "The transition has been approved. The new owner is assuming leadership directly. We-"
The conference room doors opened.
High heels clicked across the marble floor with a slow, calculated precision.
I freeze. The last person I expect to see walks in.
Nyra Hearthe. In the flesh.
She wore a black fitted corporate suit emphasizing her slim waist and full hips. Sleek blonde hair is pulled back, chin raised high, eyes cold as mine had once been. There were no traces of the timid bride I had disvirgined. No hesitancy. No warmth just pure power.
She doesn't look at me.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," she said smoothly. "As of today, I am the new chief Executive officer of Vosper Pharmaceuticals."
The board members rise to greet her. She shook hands with each of them. I couldn't speak.
She finally reached me and then casually, her gaze brushed over me.
There is no hatred, no rage.
Just indifference.
"Mr. Stepanov," she said with polite formality. "You're still here?"
I stare at her, shock blocking my words.
"Nyra." I finally managed.
She didn't flinch.
"Ms. Hearthe," she corrected. "We're not familiar. Remember you work for me now."
She turned back to the board.
"Thank you all for the warm welcome. I'll keep this brief."
She opened the folder on the table. "Effective immediately, I am assuming full operational control of Vosper pharmaceuticals. Departments will be restructured, starting with research and development. This company has spent the last few years trying to manage losses-my intention is to regain purpose."
I leaned forward at that. "What purpose?" I asked.
She doesn't look at me. "The development of the cure for Heamatodipsia."
Silence.
Several board members looked at each other uneasily. Their expressions show intense worry. Not for people but, their investments. Chairman Vale speaks up first.
"That disease is theoretical, Ms. Hearthe. We still don't even know the cause of it, talk more of a cure."
Nyra shoots him a glance, and he falls quiet.
"It's real. Deadly. And its not just killing vampires any more. Some humans have begun to show early symptoms of a new variant of the disease."
I felt a jolt move through me. I keep my face neutral.
Nyra places a small USB drive on the table. "Over the last four years, my research team has developed a treatment blue print. We're ready to begin phase two-live testing."
Another board member Anthony asks. "You're saying you already have a cure developed?"
She nodded. "A prototype. It requires genetic calibration using infected vampire subjects."
I stiffened. She has it. She has the cure.
Nyra continued, "Funding will be reallocated from non-essential divisions. All research teams will report directly to me. I expect written confirmation from department heads by end of the day."
She closed the folder. "Any objections?"
Murmurs. None dared to speak. She finally turned her gaze to me. Her expression was calm, professional and cold.
"I expect everyone's cooperation. There will be consequences for those who intend to stand in the way of progress."
A few board members turned, shocked. They just realized they have gotten more than they bargained for with the new CEO.
"Meeting adjourned." Nyra says then promptly leaves the board room and almost immediately the room burst in chorus of complaints against the new boss. I tune them out and leave to my office as well.
With sudden urgency, I reached for my phone and dialed my private investigator.
"I need you to get me everything there is to know about Nyra Hearthe from the last 6 years. Her address, contacts, anyone she's close to. Everything. And start searching also for any information regarding a child."
"Understood sir," he responded and hung up.
she has the cure.
She came back stronger than ever. This cure is the chance I need to get close to her, my second chance.
