Black Market Blood (The Lazarus Hunter Series Book 2) Read online

  All faces turned up towards the true leader, central on the makeshift stage at one end of the warehouse floor. He looked out of place, the dais unfitting for someone of his social and physical stature. No one had ever noticed it before. It was too humble for the man and they all knew it. He wore a suit and Lance could spot bespoke when he saw it. Every royal blue wrinkle and fold was cut to accentuate the physicality of the man.

  To the untrained eye, he would appear a wealthy businessman from the Middle East, his western clothes and smooth skin no threat. A necessary precaution, no doubt, for a journey now as perilous as it had been when they had first moved to the new world. Lance could see beneath that exterior. He could see the bloodline of the real ancients run through him. The true leader could trace his way back to when the Nile ran free and different gods, ones that glittered in gold, manipulated and awed the humans.

  A bloodline that had been worshipped for a short time as a god in its own right.

  Yes, the stage of pallets and cheap cloth was not fitting for this man.

  ‘I come with greetings from your home,’ the true leader said as he stared at those on the front row. At least, that was what Lance thought he said. It sounded like the right sort of thing. All around, the air was silent. No one dared speak, or even breathe too loudly in his presence. ‘I am proud of my people tonight. For many years, I have waited. For many years, you have not made progress in this land. Our family has remained second here. This has disappointed me greatly.’

  If Lance understood him correctly, it wasn’t the most motivating speech he’d ever heard. It wasn’t, after all, only the US satellite that had failed to make progress. The entire family’s standing had slipped over the centuries. The man in front of him led a people who had not grown or changed enough to maintain their status amongst their own kind. To hear him speak, it sounded like that was not the case. That was how power worked, he supposed. An act of self-delusion on the part of some, to maintain the faith of the many.

  He would not allow himself to succumb to such folly. He knew that actions meant more than grand speeches. It meant more than plans and schemes and clinging to the glory of days gone by. If anyone in that room knew what it meant to seize the future and make it their own, it was not the man on the stage commanding attention. It was Lance himself.

  He felt his chest puff out with pride. For the first time, he saw that his aspirations exceeded those in power. The leader he had sworn himself to in this land. The true leader in front of him, taking from afar but never giving back. The Council of Elders who kept wealth and status for themselves while the rest of them suffered with their lowly status.

  Tonight, they would perform the rituals of welcome and sacrifice for the arrival of their leader. There would be laughter and celebration. Tomorrow, a war would be waged and they would emerge from it victorious.

  For the first time, Lance was determined to not let them take that victory from him.

  55

  Monica administered the vaccine with quick determination on one side of the room, while Dennis and the doctor did the other. For now, she wanted to limit the number of people who got their hands on it. Loved ones helped the patients feed as Monica moved on to the next. When she reached the end of the row she stood and stretched her back. ‘I need something to eat.’

  ‘Same here’ agreed Dennis, looking at his watch. ‘Still no attack. I don’t like it.’

  ‘Neither do I. I agreed that I would be here and ready. Sunrise is only thirty minutes away. Too late for them to arrive now, surely?’

  ‘I think so. What will you do instead?’

  ‘I’ll stay here until sundown with everyone else. I wouldn’t put anything past the Sekhmets. Plus I want to be nearby when the vaccine takes hold. Doc might need more help.’

  ‘I’ll make sure she’s got some assistance. There are plenty of willing volunteers out there. You’ve won over a lot of hearts helping out, but it’s time for you to become a leader again. You have to think strategically.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right. But that doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere.’

  ‘Stubborn.’

  ‘Always. I know it’s nearly daybreak, but can you get the kitchen fired up? We need to feed those who will carry on working after sunrise. I want them to be well looked after. More importantly, I need some food and a coffee.’

  ‘Consider it done.’

  ‘Thank you. Besides, it’s time for me to face the council. I can’t put them off any longer.’

  ‘You don’t have to justify yourself to them, you know that, right?’ Dennis said in a hushed voice. He looked at the nearest patient but he was too unconscious to overhear the dissent.

  ‘I know that, but some of them expect it. We need to keep things working as smoothly as possible. This is only one part of the fight.’ She stripped off her rubber gloves and walked out of the room, ordering the doctor to get some rest as she did so. As they walked back through the main room towards the chambers, the once vibrant club was silent. Dennis was right. People had opted to stay here during the day, stretched out on the floor in sleeping bags. Their prestigious communal area had turned to a refugee camp. How quickly it could all change. At least here there was safety in numbers. An instinct as primal as the one that bound them together as a family.

  ‘Dennis, when you’ve spoken to the kitchen join me with the Council of Elders. I want you to be there.’

  ‘If you’re sure?’

  ‘I am. Any word from Elverez?’ She prayed the old man was alright.

  ‘Nothing I’m afraid. When this is over I’ll go find him if he doesn’t get in touch. I promise.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Monica watched him walk away. There was so much in his dark eyes he wasn’t telling her. She could feel it and wondered if it would ever be the right time. Still, she wanted him to be with her when she faced the council down. She had won over the people, but her harshest critics still lay ahead.

  She wasn’t surprised to see the majority of the council members still in the room. They wouldn’t sleep until they’d had answers. Not when she had already passed them by once that night. She tried to recall that strong leader who had marched up onto the stage. That was the woman she needed to be. It was all about self-belief. A strong coffee wouldn’t hurt either.

  ‘Monica.’ Lawrence smiled from his place at the table but he didn’t stand. ‘It’s so good to have you back. And looking so much better than you were.’

  ‘Thank you. I’m glad to be back. Dennis is fetching some coffee, then I’ll answer any questions you may have.’

  ‘I’m sure we have plenty. This has been quite a dramatic turnaround in our fortunes.’

  ‘Has there been any further word from the Sekhmets?’

  ‘No, nothing as yet. I rather hoped you would shed some light on why they haven’t appeared. Not that I’m ungrateful for the fact they haven’t.’

  ‘I was expecting them as much as you were. Still, it gives us more time to negotiate with our allies.’

  ‘Negotiate?’

  ‘If any good is to come from this, it is that we must build bridges rather than remain isolated. Once our own family is fully vaccinated, our allies will also be offered treatment. We are stronger if we stand together against this. If they are willing to come here, they will receive our help in exchange for a strong alliance.’

  ‘Invite them into our home?’

  ‘Yes. They come to us for the vaccine and we administer it. They do not get given the vaccine to take away.’

  ‘Why such constraints? Surely that creates more danger for us?’

  ‘Because,’ said Monica, thinking of her promise to Elizabeth, ‘the gift of life is power. So is knowledge. I have seen firsthand how the boundaries of science can be pushed in ways you could never imagine. Let’s not take the risk and remind them they are indebted to us at the same time.’

  ‘As you wish. It is a good argument.’

  ‘It is my final argument.’ She stared at him, eyes holding his, until he l
ooked away.

  ‘What about the future? This virus is still out there.’

  ‘It’s far too soon to tell what will happen to it in the long term, or our natural abilities to fight it. We’ll make sure that everyone gets vaccinated and no one falls through the net. There will still be some losses, I’m sure. Those who do not respond to the injection, or those who were already too close to death for treatment to work.’

  ‘I wasn’t aware you had any medical experience?’

  ‘I don’t. But I’m not stupid either, and I’m not afraid to learn what I need to know. This is a new era Lawrence, whether you want to admit it or not. Leaders can no longer sit in an ivory tower and expect subservience. I will do whatever it takes to make sure we survive. If this past week doesn’t prove that to you, then nothing will. It’s time you stopped questioning my authority. All of you.’

  ‘What about Miss Hastings?’

  ‘What about her?’

  ‘Is her work here finished?’

  ‘You’re keen to see the back of her aren’t you?’ Monica failed to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

  ‘Not at all. It’s merely that her intimate knowledge of our family grows deeper all the time, regardless of whether we are formally told of it.’

  ‘Going to Elizabeth was the right thing to do. She provided invaluable information that allowed the development of this cure. Without her, we would not be sitting here having this conversation now. I will not relinquish our friendship. That’s something you’re just going to have to get used to.’

  ‘If you’re sure?’ A knock on the door cut him off and Dennis entered. He carried a tray and Monica knew what it cost him to act like a servant in front of these people.

  But he had brought pancakes.

  ‘Thanks Dennis, you’re a lifesaver.’

  ‘Don’t thank me, thank one very grateful chef. He thought he would lose his brother this morning. He was ready to cook you a full banquet. I said extra maple syrup would be enough.’

  ‘Just doing my job,’ she smiled and grabbed a fork. She was so hungry she didn’t care that everyone else was watching her informality. They could continue to talk while she was eating or they could wait until she finished and she didn’t care which. She tipped extra maple syrup from the small jug with one hand and drained her coffee with the other.

  The room remained in silence while she ate. When she swallowed the final mouthful of pancake she sat back with a contented smile. They settled like a happy weight in her stomach. She almost felt relaxed. Confident.

  ‘So,’ she said, looking at the members gathered around the room, ‘anything you need to bring me up to speed on?’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ said Lawrence.

  ‘No matter how big or small, I need to know everything going on.’

  ‘We have additional supplies of blood coming in tonight. Supplies of other items to last a week, should we have to hide here. There simply isn’t space for any more than that.’

  ‘Excellent. What else?’

  ‘The rest of our time has been taken up with the sick and the dying. There is only one other thing, but it is speculation and hearsay.’

  ‘And that is?’

  ‘The leader of the Sekhmet family has come to join them. Their true leader.’

  ‘You mean…?’ Monica felt the pancakes turn to lead in her stomach. That was a significant turn of events. Why the hell hadn’t he mentioned this earlier?

  ‘Monica, it is most likely rumour rather than fact. Even if it is true, it could be nothing more than a routine visit.’

  ‘Most families would keep their leaders away from the epicentre of an outbreak.’

  ‘I suppose it goes hand in hand with the challenge that was made to your authority before you left.’ Lawrence tapped his chin thoughtfully. Had the thought only just occurred to him or had he known all along? She didn’t trust him, but nor did she have any proof with which to confront him.

  ‘I assumed it was a US proxy challenging me. It never occurred to me that someone would arrive from the old land to do it.’

  ‘I don’t trust them.’

  ‘Neither do I.’ Monica wished she had someone to defer up to like they did, but it was not that simple. When her family had moved to America over two hundred years ago, they had left no one behind. It had been an all or nothing mission. She was the head of the entire thing. She had no choice in the matter.

  They’d arrived and modernised. Integrated. The old families kept with them their old ways. They had built their defences over centuries, and had become virtually immune to the threat of discovery. In rural villages they were still whispered of in local lore until the walls between east and west had come crumbling down. They were powerful, they were ruthless. They rejected the new customs of a modern society. The tentative peace of the previous twelve months was about to shatter with the return of the old hate. They wouldn’t play fair.

  Well, if they didn’t, then neither would she.

  ‘Right,’ she sat upright and drained the dregs of her second coffee. ‘Attack will be our best form of defence. By sundown, many of those who were sick should be feeling well enough again to swell our numbers. They are entitled to payback, the bigger the better.’

  ‘Monica,’ Dennis stepped forward, his voice low in warning. ‘What exactly do you have in mind?’

  ‘We’re sitting ducks here. All under one roof. They wanted us to experience slow and painful deaths until we surrendered to them. The rules of territory and culture have been completely disregarded.’

  ‘Don’t sink to their level. You’re better than that.’

  ‘Really? When you’re enslaved to them are you going to be happy because at least you had the moral high ground? Going high counts for nothing if you don’t win in the end.’ She looked around the room. Not a single person made eye contact with her. It was as she suspected. All talk. Even from Dennis.

  It was the difference that made her their commander. ‘Put out the word I am on the brink of death. Let them know our family is in disarray as it mourns many more dead. I want them to think we are ripe for the picking. If they sense blood they won’t be able to resist. And we will be waiting for them.’

  ‘Will that work?’

  ‘They Sekhmets are known for their arrogance. With their true leader here, they will want to show him how capable they are. A final chance to prove themselves. They’ll come for that.’

  ‘Are you sure there is no other way? Something more peaceful?’ Lawrence pleaded.

  ‘No. They will remain a threat until we finish this once and for all.’

  ‘It just seems so…’

  ‘Harsh? Brutal? Lawrence, they declared war on us. You don’t win wars by being friendly. You win them by doing what has to be done.’

  Monica sat back in her chair and waited for someone else to challenge her. The plan, after all, was far from foolproof. It meant further loss of life. It broke her heart to save people from one death only to curse them to another. But she would stand there with them this time and risk her own life alongside theirs.

  ‘Very well,’ said Lawrence, as the silence lingered. ‘I shall spread the word.’

  ‘Good. In that case, I propose we rest. I need to sleep. I’ll be in my room.’ She’d only stayed there once before. A perk of the position, a small bedroom behind the Council chambers that existed for days like these. It was nothing special; a bed, a bookcase and a chair. The books were a range of classics and old lore carried down through her family for generations. She was always too intimidated to touch them, regardless of what delights could be found inside.

  She threw her bag down on the chair and pulled out her phone. 11am. Elizabeth would be up by now. She scrolled through to the number and hit the call button.

  ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hi, it’s only me.’

  ‘Did it work?’

  ‘That is the sixty-four million dollar question.’ Monica stretched out on the bed and tried to get comfortable. The mattress, like the res
t of the room, was old.

  ‘You made it back then?’

  ‘Yeah, I’m at the club now. I’m going to stay here for the rest of the day.’

  ‘Have you been able to play nurse?’

  ‘Yes. All one hundred vaccines have been administered. I feel good about it. I told them to wake me only if there was a problem. I don’t expect there will be. Until sundown at least.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Elizabeth’s tone changed; even down the line Monica could hear the suspicion in her voice.

  ‘We’ll be attacked again tonight. I know it.’

  ‘Surely they’ll think twice if they know you’ve recovered?’

  ‘I want them to think exactly the opposite. I want them to think we are on our knees.’

  ‘So they come to you? Reverse ambush right?’

  ‘You’re the first person to see where I’m headed with this.’

  ‘It’s a risky strategy though.’

  ‘I know. But I can’t go on like this forever. If we leave them at full strength, they won’t let it go. The fact they’ve failed again will make them angrier, not submissive. They’ll come up with an alternative sooner or later.’

  ‘Leaving them to their own devices does seem foolish and short sighted.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘For making me feel less crazy. And less like a blood-thirsty, power-hungry general throwing her troops in front of the cannons.’

  ‘There are bound to be casualties. You have to accept that.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Will you fight?’

  ‘Yes. I intend to be front and centre.’

  ‘Spoken by a true leader.’

  ‘Elizabeth, there is every chance I will be killed tonight.’