Page 75 of The Vampire's Soul

Finally.

Doors opened, servers and guards vanished until there were only two left. He didn’t bother asking them to leave. They all knew the president would never be left alone and unguarded with the Russian Pakhan.

“You have three minutes,” Volkov announced.

“I’ve known about this new race for some time.” Nikolay got to the point, not wasting any time.

To the president’s credit, he didn’t react.

“I’ve met them, had one in my possession—”

“Possession?”

“In Seattle. The lab which exploded.”

“That was you?”

“Well, it was the vampires.” Nikolay shrugged. “They were mad I took their princess.”

“Jesus Christ.” President Volkov rubbed his face and stood, then began pacing. All the power games now gone. “How?”

It was a demand, not a question.

Nikolay reached for his briefcase and opened it on his lap, pulling out a sheet of paper and the small sample vial.

“This.” He held up the clear liquid.

Volkov didn’t move, simply stared at it, then lifted his eyes to Nikolay’s in question. The guard, only a few feet away, was twitching, ready to move at any time.

A quick glance at Alexis and Demetri told him they were aware.

“It’s a serum which incapacitates vampires for a short time, reasonably quickly,” he explained. “Holding on to them once they wake up is the challenge. Tungsten is the only material they cannot break or bend.”

The president walked over and bent, glancing at the vial in question.

“It has no effect on humans.” He handed it to him and the guard took a step closer, his weapons clicking as he moved.

Volkov glanced over his shoulder and nodded once to let him know to stay back.

“The science”—Nikolay handed him a few sheets of paper—“which neither of us can understand, but I also have video footage and witnesses.”

“How is it administered?”

“A gun. Like a tranquilizer. It works mid-range.”

The president lifted the serum and studied it.

“There’s more,” Nikolay added. “I have strong reason to believe POTUS was aware of their existence months ago.”

That got his attention.

Volkov cursed and indicated the small vial. “They have this?”

“No.” Nikolay smiled, feeling every inch the evil and powerful man, he now was. “Only I do.”

And any of his previous criminal partners that were still breathing, but that was being dealt with.

He let that sink in.

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