American Blood: A Vampire's Story by Gregory Holden Page A

most sophisticated threats both abroad and within.”
    “So does the FBI and CIA. We’re just somewhere in the middle of the two, or at least that’s what you told me when I joined this project.”
    “We are more independent than I originally explained. That was for your protection as well as the agency’s.”
    “Okay, so you held back. What’s this got to do with her?”
    “I’ve explained it quite clearly, I think. We want her to join our efforts.”
    “Join the agency, as in become an operative?”
    “Precisely, Doctor Ryan. She would be a tremendous asset.”
    “Are you saying that you want to let her back out into the world?”
    “She must be convinced that to work with us would be beneficial to both her and the agency.”
    “I can’t believe you’d considering giving back her freedom when several nights ago five men died taking it away.”
    “Is there a better incentive we can give her than her freedom? Of course it will be a conditional freedom. In the end she’ll find my offer impossible to refuse.”
    “So this is all a lie . . . the research, everything?”
    “No, conduct your research, find out all that you can about her, but the time will come when she we’ll be given the choice to join us, or be confined to that cage, indefinitely.”
    “How much of this does Siri know?”
    “Doctor Lei follows her instructions, so the question is, Doctor Ryan, can you?”
    “Look, I’ve got to get back to the subject—she’s being difficult with our feeding protocol.”
    “Oh yes, you are on the menu tonight, isn’t that so?”
    “As I said, I’ll go first to make sure the system works properly, but you better have the other donors ready.”
    “Not to worry, that has all been arranged.”
    The speaker made an audible click and the dial tone came on. Ryan reached over and turned the speaker off. He stared at his display for a moment, placed his hands behind his neck, and leaned back in the chair. The Director’s motives regarding Calida didn’t surprise him. The man manipulated everyone to suit his needs. Yet Ryan didn’t believe Calida could actually be controlled to the point where she would do as the Director asked. The man was clearly insane.
    The phone rang again, but Ryan ignored it and stood up. He picked up the THC pills, hesitated, and placed them back on the desk. It was time to get back to the isolation unit. He’d been gone for nearly an hour and he knew that if he didn’t show up soon they’d send someone to find him. Not that he really cared.

Chapter Six
     
     
    “I believe that a scientist looking at nonscientific problems is just as dumb as the next guy.”
—
Richard Feynman
, American Physicist
     
    R yan walked up to the medical building and noticed that additional armed men had been placed around the perimeter. With Calida awake, not even the Director was taking any chances. Ryan had no doubt that if she somehow managed to get outside the building she’d instantly be cut down.
    He stepped out of the air lock and was waved on by the two armed men. William entered the code on the entry keypad and the door opened. Ryan took a deep breath and stepped inside.
    The pleasant fragrances of body soap and shampoo filled the air inside the cell. Calida brushed her hair as she sat on the cot. She wore a fresh patient gown and had on a pair of white flip-flops. Ryan made a quick inspection of her cell. The blood on the floor and plexiglas barrier had been washed away.
    “Hello Siri,” Ryan said. “Everything seems nice and calm, again.”
    “Except for you,” Calida said. “I can hear your heart beating for me. So fast . . . how sweet.”
    “Please, Calida,” Siri said. “For us, for Doctor Ryan, this is a strange situation, so don’t upset—”
    “It’s fine,” Ryan said. “She’s waited patiently. I shouldn’t have rushed back.” Ryan walked over to the feeding station, removed his clinic jacket, and sat down. He entered some commands on the laptop that