Yuri stared at him silently.
The first man shrugged and lifted his wrist to his mouth. “He’s here,” he said into the concealed comm.
A moment later the tall door opened, revealing the inside of the mansion.
What if they change their minds?
He pushed the thought aside and entered. He paced through the lavishly decorated entrance hall and into a room with a dozen well-dressed people, all talking in excited tones. A hush fell when he appeared in the doorway. All eyes turned on him.
A dark-haired Asian woman in an elegant blue suede dress approached, a champagne flute resting lazily in her hand. Her almond-shaped eyes glinted like polished jade, and her face looked a decade younger than it did when he saw her only several days ago.
“Dr. Korzo,” she said, smiling in a warm greeting, “we have been anticipating your arrival.”
“Good afternoon, Madame Chen.” He inclined his head. “You look well.”
“A credit to your acumen.” She absentmindedly caressed her arm where he injected her with the ancient genes retrieved from the golden-eyed woman’s blood. “It is as if my body and mind have awakened from a lifelong slumber.”
Yuri’s lips turned into a smile at her words. It was genuine. They had no idea about the other woman. Two weeks ago, he reported to them that he had successfully synthesized the ancient genes from the saved data. Elated about his progress, they allowed him to inject them with the ancient genes. The results have been more than favorable, securing their trust and allowing him to keep up his deception—and keep them oblivious to the fate they would soon face.
Madame Chen misread his expression and placed a warm hand on his arm. “You have brought great success to us. If Professor Baxter were still with us, he would be proud of your accomplishment.”
If that bastard was still alive, he’d take credit for every single thing I’ve done, Yuri thought, struggling to keep the disdain from his face.
The woman was oblivious to the change in his expression. She surveyed the faces gathered around her before continuing. “Tonight marks the end of a long journey, begun by Edgar Cayce and Francis Chaplain many decades ago. A journey continued by Walter Drake and his son William. Tonight, we honor their legacy—and sacrifice.”
Yuri’s chest throbbed at the pang of a memory as she raised the glass at him and they clapped and sipped on their thousand-dollar champagne. His jaw tightened. You know nothing of sacrifice.
The woman motioned him to the rosewood table in the center of the room. He rested the briefcase on it, surprised at his relief to be free of its burden, and flipped open the locks. The silence in the room was complete as he lifted the lid and the contents came into view. Two dozen auto-injectable syringes filled with a clear fluid were tucked snugly inside their foam cutouts.
“The Horus virus,” Madame Chen whispered, unable to keep the awe from her voice.
Yuri lifted his hand to his mouth to hide his sneer. To call the ancient bioweapon a virus could not begin to do it justice. There was so much more to this magnificently engineered, lethal marvel.
His thoughts were interrupted when a dark-skinned man took a step forward. He scrutinized the syringes, the eyebrows in his wide face drawn into a scowl. “You are certain this… ingredient… is essential to the process?” His deep voice rang with a rich African accent.
Yuri lifted one of the autoinjectors from the briefcase. He swept his gaze around the room. Tread lightly, the golden-eyed woman’s words echoed in his head. Don’t push them.
Still, he could not fail. Not now, when he was so close. He took a breath. “Four months ago, I exposed Alyssa Morgan’s blood to a sample of this virus.” He recalled the image of the virus repairing the DNA strand. “The results were… unexpected. I have never seen that type of reaction at a molecular level.”
“We are well aware of your work—” the African man interjected.
Yuri lifted his palm to silence the interruption and continued. “The ancient genes, the same genes that have been causing the changes in your bodies, were synthesized from the genetic markers of the Morgan girl’s blood. These are the same genes that will not only protect you from any harmful effects of the ancient weapon, but will also allow you to fully awaken your Hybrid consciousness—just like they did in Alyssa Morgan.”
“We are putting a lot of faith into your words,” the African man said.
A tall man wearing a traditional Middle Eastern gabaya stepped forward. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror, Fuad?” he asked. “Do you not feel better than you have in decades? The ancient genes have already begun bonding with our bodies at the cellular level. Don’t deny the changes.”
“I also cannot deny that this is the same virus that four months ago brought us to the brink of a worldwide epidemic,” Fuad countered. “I do not believe my apprehension is without merit.”
Yuri swallowed around the lump in his throat before speaking. “You are correct, this is the same substance that caused the illness of Kaden Morgan. Released in battle, this… weapon was meant to destroy the enemies of the Hybrids and at the same time give strength to their kin and heal them.” He paused. “Just like the Hybrid’s own blood was meant to safeguard them, the ancient genes placed inside you have already bonded with your genome and will protect you—and complete the transition.”
Silence filled the room. Madame Chen placed her champagne on the table. She approached Yuri and took the autoinjector from his hand. “We have been through this before,” she said. “Dr. Korzo’s reasoning is sound, and his science is beyond reproach.” She examined the device with a faraway gaze. “William Drake risked, and sacrificed, everything so we could be here. I, for one, will not tarnish his legacy with doubt or fear.” She took a deep breath and returned the syringe to Yuri then held out her arm to him.
Yuri struggled to control his breathing as he accepted the device and cradled her forearm with his other hand. It would take fifteen minutes for the virus to spread through her body and for her to become infectious. He needed to be out of this room in ten.
He placed the tip against her skin.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
She nodded.
He pressed the trigger, driving the tiny needle into her arm and emptying the contents of the vial into her body. He felt her body tense then relax.
“It is done,” he said.
For several moments nobody spoke or moved, then the man in the gabaya plucked out a second device. He passed it to Yuri and rolled up his sleeve.
“For William Drake,” he said. Yuri pressed it against him and squeezed the trigger as another man lifted a third syringe and approached him.
For William Drake.
For my son’s murderer.
Soon he would have revenge on the other person responsible for robbing him of his only son.
Alyssa Morgan.
Yuri hunkered behind the wheel of the SUV, his heart pounding even faster than the car speeding away from the mansion. The sense of accomplishment slowly gave way to the true notion of what he had done. He pushed that thought out of his mind and dialed her number.
“Yes?” Yuri tensed at the sound of her voice.
“It is done,” he said.
“You did well,” she replied. He exhaled, overcome with an unreasonable sense of pride—and relief. There was no going back. The woman was now his only means of staying alive. He was aware of what the Society would do to him if they learned what he had done. Still, it did not compare with his fear of disappointing the woman.
“You know what to do,” she said. “One of them must survive long enough to be useful.”
“I understand,” Yuri replied. He disconnected the call and dialed the emergency number of the El Aini hospital.
3 National Zoo, Washington, DC—Ten Years Ago
Alyssa’s heart pounded against her chest. She glanced back, waving her arms. “Come on, Mom, Dad! Hurry up!”
She whirled and bolted for the entrance to the aviary.
“
Slow down, Alyssa!”
She barely heard her dad’s voice as she dashed through the door of the enclosure. Alyssa spun, breathless, taking in the sight of the birds all around her.
They’re beautiful! So many colors!
“Look at the cockatoos!” Her friend’s eyes twinkled, and she took off for the cage with the squawking animals. Alyssa turned to follow then froze. A majestic bird sat alone, perched on the highest branch. The creature seemed to catch her gaze. It cocked its head.
Alyssa’s stomach fluttered. She moved slowly to the cage, stopping at the sign. She sounded out the letters.
L-a-n-n-e-r F-a-l-c-o-n.
She cranked her neck. Before she realized what had happened, she stepped forward and squeezed her arm through the mesh wiring separating her from the falcon.
“Alyssa! Don’t!” Her dad’s alarmed cry scarcely registered.
Without warning, the falcon swooped down from the branch, landing on her arm. She felt its talons against her skin, pinching, but not breaking it. It cocked its head again as it locked its golden eyes on hers.
Alyssa held her breath. She was weightless, a soothing warmth radiating through her body, tingling her skin. She turned to her parents, beaming.
“He likes me!”
“Easy, Alyssa… don’t make any sudden moves.” Her dad closed in slowly. Her mom watched her, a calm, faraway expression on her face.
“Don’t worry, Daddy. He won’t hurt me.” She turned back to the falcon, her heart humming with excitement. She felt her dad’s hands on her shoulders, tugging her gently back toward him.
“No, Dad, wait!” she said, resisting. The falcon shifted uneasily.
“Alyssa, now,” he said.
She turned to her dad in protest then looked up at her mom. She gave Alyssa a reassuring smile.
“Listen to Daddy, sweetheart,” she said.
Alyssa’s gave a dejected sigh but stopped resisting. Her dad pulled her back and into his arms.
The falcon’s screech echoed in Alyssa’s ears as the bird spread its powerful wings and took flight.
Alyssa stirred awake at the squeal of the landing gear hitting the runway. The plane pitched gently forward until the front wheels touched the ground with another bump. She barely noticed the familiar sound of the thrust-reversers as the plane decelerated rapidly.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Egypt Air is pleased to welcome you to Cairo. The local time is 10:24 a.m. We hope you had a pleasant trip with us and…”
Alyssa closed her eyes and leaned her head into the seat as the flight attendant continued her well-practiced announcement. For the hundredth time since the call with her dad, she racked her brain about the break-ins. Was the Society involved? Their quest for the ancient genes made them the obvious suspects. Or was it somebody else with other, even more nefarious reasons? She shuddered as she thought of the implications. And why would Kamal keep the virus in the first place? She stared out of the window, chewing her lip, as the plane approached the gate.
An hour later, she wasn’t any closer to a solution as the automated sliding glass doors opened before her and she paced into the arrivals area. The crowd facing her was a sea of bobbing heads, anxious to get a first look at their visitors. No matter to which continent she traveled, the scene was always the same.
No welcomes without goodbyes, she thought wistfully, and no goodbyes without welcomes.
The rueful smile evaporated from her face when she spotted her dad. She threw her arms around him.
“Woah, kiddo!” Kade called out.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said, holding him tight. Dozens of feelings and thoughts coursed through her mind, but she pushed them aside. There would be time for them later.
They stood for several seconds in silence, neither willing to break the moment. Finally, Alyssa tightened her embrace one last time then stepped back reluctantly.
“What happened?” she asked.
“The people involved in both attacks knew what they were doing,” Kade said.
“Was it the Society?”
“It’s too early to be certain. Interpol is collaborating with Egyptian law enforcement to investigate all possibilities.”
“Why was the break-in at the institute kept a secret?”
“The ministry feared a panic, with good reason. Now that the information is out, people are scurrying to shift the blame.” He shook his head. “It’s the biggest game of CYA I’ve ever seen.”
“CYA?” Alyssa asked.
“Cover your a—”
Her dad’s phone rang. He picked it up and listened for several seconds.
“Are you certain?” he asked, his face tightening.
“What?” Alyssa asked, but her dad waved her off.
“We will be there as soon as we can.”
He disconnected and stared at Alyssa. “That was Kamal. We need to go to the hospital,” he said, his voice tense. “Now.”
Thirty minutes later, Alyssa and her father stood next to Kamal as he used his keycard to access the infectious diseases floor.
“The hospital is on level two alert,” he said as the elevator ascended. “All critical floors are accessible by keycard access only, and all rooms are locked with a code.”
They exited and paced along the corridor, stopping in front of a door. Alyssa stood back and watched Kamal’s fingers as he entered a six-digit PIN into the keypad.
The door unlocked, and they entered the anteroom. Alyssa winced at the burn in the pit of her stomach as the image of her father lying in the same pressure-controlled suite surfaced in her mind.
She shook off the thought and focused on the woman in the bed. Despite the oxygen mask on her face, her Asian features were distinctly elegant and fine. Her age was impossible to guess.
Kamal studied the reports on the computer display, his face a glum mask.
“Who is she?” Kade asked.
“We don’t know,” he replied. “An anonymous call earlier today alerted us to a remote compound outside the city. When the medical crew arrived, they found over twenty deceased individuals. She was the only survivor.”
Alyssa’s hand flew to her mouth. “That’s horrible.”
Kamal took a deep breath. “The diagnostic tests revealed that her infection is consistent with the Horus virus.”
“The stolen virus?” Kade asked.
Kamal nodded, his face turning even darker.
“Has anybody else been exposed?” Alyssa asked.
“We don’t know. Mercifully, based on the tip, the medical team followed infectious disease protocols when they arrived, and the compound has since been quarantined. We are keeping all of this information contained.”
Alyssa gave a small sigh of relief. “You’ll be able to cure her, right? And any others that may have been exposed?”
For a moment, Kamal’s expression was completely unreadable. He opened up an image on the screen and motioned them closer.
“What I’m about to tell you hasn’t gone beyond the attending physician in charge and the critical care team,” he said. He inhaled deeply, as if steadying himself for what he was about to say. “The cure we devised from your blood several months ago doesn’t seem to be effective against this strain. The virus appears to have… mutated.”
“What?” Alyssa felt the dread rising inside her as the blood flowed from her face. “But how—?”
“It’s too early to say. We are not certain if it was the result of a natural mechanism—or deliberate manipulation.”
Alyssa stood transfixed, trying to process the information.
“There is more.” Kamal flashed through several windows, stopping at two side-by-side images. “The team ran extensive tests on her blood.” He faced Alyssa. “The patient’s DNA fragments, they match up with the ancient fragments we found inside your DNA.”
Alyssa stared from the computer to the woman in the hospital bed.
“She has Hybrid DNA?” she asked, blinking. “But that’s impossible. If she did
, she shouldn’t be ill. She—”
“We repeated the tests several times,” Kamal said. “There is no doubt. She shares those genetic markers with you.”
Alyssa gaped at him. “What does that mean?”
“It’s too early to say,” Kamal replied.
“We have to try to find out where she came from!” Alyssa pleaded. “And what’s happened to her!”
“We tried talking with her,” Kamal said. “She is too weak. We may try again in several hours, while we monitor her condition.”
“But it may be too late by then!” she pushed.
“We have to prioritize the patient’s well-being above all else.”
Alyssa glared at him, pressure rising. “How could you do this, Kamal? Violate our trust?” The words were out before she could do anything about it.
Kamal froze and held his breath, his lips stretched thin with tension. Kade jumped in, “Alyssa, I know you’re upset—and tired—but Kamal had his reasons.”
“Don’t patronize me!” she spat, her frustration getting the better of her. “And don’t you take his side in this. For all I know you knew what was happening all along.”
“Your dad didn’t know anything about the virus, Alyssa,” Kamal said. “I know how upsetting this must be for you, but please understand we didn’t have another option. We had to be prepared in case something similar happened. We couldn’t take the risk of it catching us completely off guard like it did last time.”
“You gave us your word that the virus and my blood would only be used to create a cure for the outbreak! And that the virus would be destroyed as soon as we knew we were safe.”
“The directive to pursue the research came from the highest level. We’re a government-funded facility, and we have to abide by certain rules.”
“I don’t care about your rules!”
Kamal lifted his palm. “I’m afraid that’s all we can do for now. I wanted to share with you all I had because you deserved to know. A team from Interpol is on their way to take over the investigation.”
Alyssa threw up her hands in exasperation. “I can’t believe…” She trailed off as she spotted a purse inside a plastic drawer in the corner of the room.
Daughter of Ra Page 3