Dragon's Blood (Black Planet Book 1) by Belinda McBride Read Free Book Online Page A

unnaturally strong and craving blood and flesh.”
    He carefully set the pen down on the pad. “Greene’s wife, when did she contract it?”
    “About three years ago. It wasn’t bad to start with. I’m a Uni so I can donate for anyone. We just arranged for me to be her regular bleeder. She did well at first, made it from month to month with no problem. Then I noticed she was looking weak by the time I could donate again. She needed to add a second donor, and increased her transfusions to twice a month. It went downhill really fast after that.”
    The Hemo disease was a mystery. It’d emerged about a century ago in Asia, where it had been nicknamed “Dragon’s Blood.” It had killed millions around the world before scientists had pinpointed the genetics that caused it. The disease caused a rapid decline in red blood cells. With regular blood transfusions and medication, most people thrived. Some like Tammy Greene didn’t survive the first two or three years after diagnosis.
    “I’m O positive. Not a universal donor like you, but close enough. Are there blood types on the victims? Is that a factor?” He could only donate to other Nanos, so his blood wasn’t needed as badly as it had been before. That was another guilt that came to settle on him. Once he’d taken the nanites into himself, it limited him as a bleeder when so many desperately needed blood.
    “I don’t know if they’ve considered that. In fact, some of this is speculation on my part. The labs haven’t proven anything.” She picked up his pen and idly tapped it on the table. She then set it down and folded her hands.
    “You’re the only person who’s seen this thing and survived. I think your speculation is a good place to start.”
    They sat in silence, appetites gone. The day seemed to have gone dark before it had even begun. Aiden slowly stirred his congee, chasing bits of fish in the rice stew. “You going across the Bay today?”
    She nodded.
    “Mind if I come along? Just to hang out? I know I’m not on the force anymore, but I’d like to check out the new HQ.”
    She grinned slowly. “You just want to get onto a computer somewhere, don’t you?”
    He laughed. She knew him well. One thing about Wharf, no computers, and Internet access was nearly impossible in the City.
    “I have a portable, you know. On solar. It’s got an Internet chip.”
    “You do?” He stood, pushed back his chair and gathered their bowls. He picked up her teacup and swirled it, glancing into it, a slight frown on his face. He then looked at her, a smile crossing his face. “And you didn’t tell me? God! Do you know how hard it is to find a functioning computer around here?” He stacked her cup on top of his and took the dishes into the kitchen. He rinsed them, then returned, pulling his jacket from a peg on the wall.
    “Where you going?”
    “Your place.”
    She stood, cocking her head slightly. “My place?”
    “You need to shower and change, I need to get online. We’ll catch Cappie’s second run across the bay.”

Chapter Five
    “ I ’d heard rumors you were starting a new fighter.”
    “Hello, Carin. How are you today?” He gave his smoothest smile, keeping one eye in Annie’s direction. She was in a secluded corner, stretching hamstrings. Her opponent was notoriously unstable, and just as likely to start the fight outside the ring as inside. He angled a bit, keeping an eye on both women at once. “Don’t tell me you came slumming just to see my girl.”
    “I’ve heard she’s a Norm. And cutting a swath through the other females.”
    “This is only her third match. She’s barely getting a feel for the thing.”
    “That’s her?”
    He nodded. She gave a tiny huff of cold amusement.
    “Why’s she dressed like that? That’s barely interesting.”
    “Her school was Chinese. She lets her fighting talk, not her fashion.”
    Annie was wearing a dark, sturdy kung-fu suit with a white T-shirt underneath. Where most street fighters wore