the others are vaccinated against the zombie virus, and are taking chances they normally wouldn’t, like last night’s raid. We’re the last two vampires in the world, and at this rate our species will be extinct in a few weeks.”
“You can’t turn these people against their will.”
Tibor’s lips sneered in disgust. “There was a time when vampires were superior to humans. We were stronger, faster, and immortal. We never used to worry about who we sired and whether or not we did it against their will. Our only limitation was in keeping our numbers low so as not to alarm the humans. What happened to you? Do you feel a sense of guilt because we released the Zombie Virus and nearly destroyed the humans? Do you feel like you have to treat them with deference to atone for our sins? Maybe we deserve to be extinct.”
Dravko could not respond, his mind still trying to come to grips with Tibor’s tirade.
Tibor went back to packing the extra clothes. “I’ve obeyed your request to leave Robson and the others alone. The survivors from the camp are different. They’re not part of our original group. Robson hasn’t even talked to most of them or learned any of their names.”
“And you have?”
“Yes.” Tibor’s gaze bore into Dravko, emphasizing his point. “Thanks to me, they don’t see us as monsters like most other humans do. I’m not going to turn anyone against their will. However, I’m winning over their trust, and if they ask to become a vampire, I won’t hesitate to rebuild the coven.”
“What makes you think they’ll want to become one of us?”
“They’re sick and they’re weak, and they know their chances of survival are slim.” Tibor’s tone became energized as he tried to convince Dravko. “They’ve been raped, beaten down, and dehumanized. They’re tired of being taken advantage of. I can see it in their eyes. I can sense it on their souls as easily as I can sense the blood flowing through their veins. They don’t want to be part of a collective with someone else in the lead. They want to take charge of their own lives, and some of them see becoming a vampire as the way to do that.”
Although Tibor made a rational argument, Dravko knew Robson would never allow it. “We can’t do this.”
“Why not?” pleaded Tibor. “We’ve worked with the humans for a year to survive. Sultanic and Tatyana gave their lives to save them. The humans are rebuilding their numbers. Don’t we also have a right to exist?”
Dravko could not answer. This was a decision he had hoped to avoid. Of course vampires had a right to exist. As the only remaining vampires, he and Tibor had a solemn obligation to rebuild the coven. Doing so would place him at odds with Robson. While the two were friends and covered each other’s backs, Dravko doubted Robson would sit by and let him turn the survivors. If Robson tried to stop them, he and Tibor did not stand much of a chance.
“I don’t see how we can do this,” said Dravko.
“Leave it to me.”
“What about Robson?”
Tibor sighed in exasperation. “In deference to you, and to all Robson’s done for us, I’ll be as considerate of him as possible. But when the time comes, we’ll rebuild the coven, with or without his approval.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The hot shower and change of clothes had been the best thing to happen to Natalie in the past four weeks, except for those intimate moments spent with Mike. Judging by the reaction of her Angels, she assumed they felt the same. She heard several of her girls giggling in the shower. When a female staffer took them to the store room for a change of clothes, most of the Angels acted like teenagers on a shopping spree, holding the garments against each other and asking the others how they looked. The selection was limited and functional, mostly earth-toned ACUs, or Army combat uniforms, sand-colored t-shirts, and black or tan boots. No dresses, skirts, or heels. Natalie found it strange not to
“You can’t turn these people against their will.”
Tibor’s lips sneered in disgust. “There was a time when vampires were superior to humans. We were stronger, faster, and immortal. We never used to worry about who we sired and whether or not we did it against their will. Our only limitation was in keeping our numbers low so as not to alarm the humans. What happened to you? Do you feel a sense of guilt because we released the Zombie Virus and nearly destroyed the humans? Do you feel like you have to treat them with deference to atone for our sins? Maybe we deserve to be extinct.”
Dravko could not respond, his mind still trying to come to grips with Tibor’s tirade.
Tibor went back to packing the extra clothes. “I’ve obeyed your request to leave Robson and the others alone. The survivors from the camp are different. They’re not part of our original group. Robson hasn’t even talked to most of them or learned any of their names.”
“And you have?”
“Yes.” Tibor’s gaze bore into Dravko, emphasizing his point. “Thanks to me, they don’t see us as monsters like most other humans do. I’m not going to turn anyone against their will. However, I’m winning over their trust, and if they ask to become a vampire, I won’t hesitate to rebuild the coven.”
“What makes you think they’ll want to become one of us?”
“They’re sick and they’re weak, and they know their chances of survival are slim.” Tibor’s tone became energized as he tried to convince Dravko. “They’ve been raped, beaten down, and dehumanized. They’re tired of being taken advantage of. I can see it in their eyes. I can sense it on their souls as easily as I can sense the blood flowing through their veins. They don’t want to be part of a collective with someone else in the lead. They want to take charge of their own lives, and some of them see becoming a vampire as the way to do that.”
Although Tibor made a rational argument, Dravko knew Robson would never allow it. “We can’t do this.”
“Why not?” pleaded Tibor. “We’ve worked with the humans for a year to survive. Sultanic and Tatyana gave their lives to save them. The humans are rebuilding their numbers. Don’t we also have a right to exist?”
Dravko could not answer. This was a decision he had hoped to avoid. Of course vampires had a right to exist. As the only remaining vampires, he and Tibor had a solemn obligation to rebuild the coven. Doing so would place him at odds with Robson. While the two were friends and covered each other’s backs, Dravko doubted Robson would sit by and let him turn the survivors. If Robson tried to stop them, he and Tibor did not stand much of a chance.
“I don’t see how we can do this,” said Dravko.
“Leave it to me.”
“What about Robson?”
Tibor sighed in exasperation. “In deference to you, and to all Robson’s done for us, I’ll be as considerate of him as possible. But when the time comes, we’ll rebuild the coven, with or without his approval.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The hot shower and change of clothes had been the best thing to happen to Natalie in the past four weeks, except for those intimate moments spent with Mike. Judging by the reaction of her Angels, she assumed they felt the same. She heard several of her girls giggling in the shower. When a female staffer took them to the store room for a change of clothes, most of the Angels acted like teenagers on a shopping spree, holding the garments against each other and asking the others how they looked. The selection was limited and functional, mostly earth-toned ACUs, or Army combat uniforms, sand-colored t-shirts, and black or tan boots. No dresses, skirts, or heels. Natalie found it strange not to
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