Bloodline by MAGGIE SHAYNE Read Free Book Online Page B

allow passage. “Your baby was—is—special, Serena. She was born with a very rare antigen in her blood.”
    Serena remembered the file she had read. There had been something about an antigen. “Belladonna,” she said, trying out the word for the first time.
    â€œYes. Belladonna. People who are born with the Belladonna antigen have…special qualities. It’s complicated, and it’s something you need to hear about, but later, when we have more time, and when we’re sure we’re safe. But for now, all you need to know is that babies and young children with the antigen have been disappearing at an alarming rate for the past five years. And in most cases, their parents have been killed.”
    Serena felt her eyes widen, her heart skip. “Murdered?”
    Terry nodded once. “Usually it looks like an accident. Car wrecks. Plane crashes. Carbon monoxide leaks. House fires. Deadly falls from dangerous cliffs. Drownings. But it’s happened too many times for it to be coincidence. So we’ve placed some of our members in various places—hospitals, doctor’s offices, child protective agencies—undercover, just to watch and wait. And when someone mentions the antigen, we try to get to the mother and the baby before it’s too late. Maureen wanted to get to you before they took your baby, but the best she could do was get to you before they arranged some accident that would take your life.”
    Serena watched Terry’s face while she spoke. The things the woman was saying didn’t make a lot of sense, but she believed them. Maureen had believed them. She’d died because of them. How could Serena doubt?
    â€œSo where are you taking me?”
    Terry put her hand on Serena’s shoulder. “Someplace safe.”
    â€œIs it far? I mean, I can’t go far. I need to find my baby.”
    Terry lowered her eyes, and her voice softened by degrees. “If you choose to stay with us, we’ll help you search for your baby, Serena. We have more resources, more connections—a much better chance than you would ever have alone. But it would mean giving up everything you’ve known before. Joining the Sisterhood means being reborn. You’ll have a new family, a new life. Your past will be lost to you forever.”
    Serena pondered briefly before asking, “Have you found any of the other children who’ve been taken?”
    â€œNo. Not yet. But we’re getting closer all the time.”
    â€œOh.” A wave of disappointment nearly drowned her, but she managed to push it aside. “Then…I don’t know.”
    â€œYou don’t have to make a decision now. You can spend a few days with us, learn a little bit more about what we do and why, and then you can decide. If you want to leave, you can. But the truth is, you’re not safe here. And we have to go. Now.”
    Serena nodded. “All right.”
    She followed Terry to the little blue car. Terry started the engine, thumbed a button to open the garage door and then backed out, looking both ways. As she drove, she checked the rearview mirror almost constantly.
    â€œGo ahead and eat,” Terry said at length. “You need your strength, and besides, it’ll settle your nerves.” She nodded at the Thermos and sandwich she had placed in the console between them. Their drinks were in the cup holders.
    Serena twisted open the Thermos and poured some of the steaming-hot chicken soup into the cup. Then she sipped, and it soothed her stomach, eased the tension in her spine and even the ache in her heart a little bit, so she sipped some more. When she finished the first cup, she filled it a second time and downed that, as well.
    And with every sip her anxiety eased a bit. She sank into her seat, let her head rest against the back as she swallowed the last of the soup and replaced the cup.
    Her eyes felt heavy. She let them fall closed, then opened them