“Okay, how does that work?” Lydia asked.
“Well, Tanya also inherited her mitochondria from her mother Galina. As best we can determine, Tanya was conceived the same night both Galina and Anton were changed. Their reproductive systems hadn’t been shut down yet. So the embryonic Tanya was chock full of virus from conception. Her blood carries enormously high quantities of very strong virus. So you were accelerated, so to speak.”
“What about Chris’s reproductive system?” Lydia asked.
“Hey, why do you want to know about that?” I asked, feeling oddly uncomfortable.
“Hush Junior, and let the grownups talk.” Lydia said.
Dr. Singh smiled at this exchange and then spoke. “That part seems to be more like the LV virus. Weres reproduce normally, in addition to infecting others. Although, their fertility rates are very, very low. That is somewhat in keeping with other apex predators. Too many bears, wolves and tigers means no more prey animals, so they produce few young.” he said.
“Lydia, why is that important?” I pressed.
She gave a little shrug. “Just curious.”
Yeah right! Like I believe that. I asked my own question.
“Doc, is Tanya like other vampires and won’t have kids, or is she different?” I glanced at her but she was looking mildly curious.
“We aren’t certain Chris. She seems to have viable eggs, but doesn’t have a human female’s menstrual cycle. Of course, she would never be fertile with another vampire – “ she hissed in anger and he continued hurriedly “ – not that she will ever have another mate but you. But whether the two of you could have children is a very large unknown.”
Whoa! Kids? Me and Tanya? Now there was a picture.
Assistant creepy came into the room with a pizza box that she unceremoniously handed to me and left. It gave me a chance to think about the implications of all Dr. Singh had told me while feeding my empty stomach. But before I could get very far, we all heard the outer door to the office stairs open and footsteps head down to our level. Tanya and Lydia looked at each other after a moment and in unison said. “Senka!” Sure enough, the blonde elder came through the doorway looking like a young upscale soccer mom in designer jeans and an Oxford sweatshirt, her hair in a ponytail. I straighten up and tried to wipe the pizza grease off my face in an attempt to look a little better, but then I realized I was standing barefoot, wearing just scrub pants in a doctor’s office. It was sorta pointless. She gave us all a quick perusal before concentrating her formidable gaze on me.
“How is our patient, Dr. Singh?” she asked, frowning slightly.
I didn’t care to have any more vampire Elders frowning at me tonight. Fedor had been quite enough, thank you.
“He’s in good shape, and I think the effects of the demon blood are almost worn off.” Dr. Singh said.
“I disagree, at least about the demon blood. His aura is very dark, much darker than the other day.”
“I don’t feel a hundred percent yet, so maybe a few hours of sleep will help.” I suggested, hoping to move her attention away from myself.
She looked at me for a few moments longer, than changed topics.
“I’ve been in touch with Fedor’s lieutenants in Europe, informing them of recent events. I’ll be leaving in the next few hours to head over and clean house if necessary. Galina will be going with me to help review Fedor’s finances and business arraignments. So Tanya, you’re in charge of the NY coven for the near future. It’ll be good practice for you. Lydia will, of course, be your right arm. You will need a new head of security. Any ideas?”
Tanya looked at Lydia for a moment, than answered. “Arkady would be my first choice. He worked with Vadim for years and I’m confident of his loyalty.”
“Excellent choice. I took the liberty of bringing him along thinking you might choose him.” She looked back at the doorway and raised her voice several levels. “Arkady?”
Immediately, the upper door opened and heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs. The massive Russian vampire appeared in the doorway. “Lady, you called?”
“Congratulations, Arkady, you are Tatiana’s new head of security. Any suggestions for her?”
“Thank you.” He said, then turned and spoke to Tanya. “Young Queen, I would suggest using Nika to check the entire household for anyone who feels the same as Fedor did.”
Lydia was nodding agreement as Tanya responded. “Good idea. Please see to it. Anything else?”
He paused for a moment, seeming a bit unsure, but then went ahead and spoke again.
“I think most of the New York coven will fall in line easy enough, but I would suggest having him with you at your first formal gathering.” He nodded in my direction, and everyone turned to look in my direction. I froze in place, a slice of pizza mere inches from my open mouth.
Lydia asked the obvious question. “Why?”
“Because rumors were already spreading about what happened to the vampire waiter that tried to stop him the other night. By now they will have linked him to the Fedor’s spectacular death. Having a sputnik jizni who is responsible at some level for the absolute destruction of Europe’s Elder can only help. They will fear him as much as you. Fear is good.”
Senka turned to Tanya. “His points are all solid. Good first decision.” She looked at her watch.
“Okay, by now several shipping containers of remains are sinking to the ocean floor. My jet will be ready shortly, so I will say goodbye for now. Tanya and Lydia, I will expect reports nightly. Christian, I trust I will see you when I return. Doctor, please walk me out. Goodbye.”
With that she left, Dr. Singh following her out. I put on the scrub shirt and polished off the last piece of pizza, while Tanya spoke to Arkady. “Please have Nika start checking the Darkkin who remain at the house. We will be along after we drop Chris back at his own place, much as I would rather he came home with me,” she said.
Chapter 21
As we pulled up in front of my building I notice a particular truck outside and sat up.
“Uh oh!”
Immediately, both vampires were thoroughly alarmed.
“What’s wrong?” Tanya asked, looking in all directions for the threat.
I groaned. “That’s Gramps’ truck! Shit! He didn’t like my email responses and I didn’t call him back in time. I don’t believe it! He friggin’ drove all the way down here!” I said.
“Where is he now?” Lydia asked after exchanging a glance with Tanya.
“Most likely in my apartment. He knows where I hide the spare key.”
I sat still for moment wondering if I could just go back to Tanya’s house and try avoid the verbal beat down that was in my immediate future. Naw, the old man would probably start calling the Sixty-eighth precinct in another hour or two if I didn’t appear. I sighed in resignation.
“All right. I guess I better face the music. I call you later Tanya.”
“Do you want us to go with you?” Lydia asked, puzzled by my response to my grandfather’s surprise visit.
“No!” I said, thoroughly alarmed at that idea. “No, he might shoot someone. I need to talk to him, prepare him, before he meets the two of you. Maybe later tonight. I’ll call. Oh, Happy Birthday, Tanya.” I said. Tanya’s frown turned into a smile and she gave me a big kiss, before letting me out of the car.
It was still very dark at four seventeen in the morning that November first. Dark and cold, although I wasn't feeling it even though I was only wearing a thin set of hospital scrubs. Dr. Singh had told me my new body temperature would most likely settle in at around one hundred and two degrees Fahrenheit, about the same as most Weres. Actually, about the same as most canines, period.