Forbidden Days (The Firsts) by C.L. Quinn Read Free Book Online Page B

Huh.  A super virus that changed a living animal into another life form.  Ah, hell, this she had to study.  She was no longer along for the ride.  It was a mission, her life’s calling just got ramped into something likely no scientist had ever explored.  God, she couldn’t wait.  She glanced at him.
    “Bas, has anyone ever studied this DNA altering virus?  I mean, do you have scientists who understand the medical aspect of this change?  For geneticists, this is the holy grail.”
    “I don’t know the answer to that question.  I was serious before when I told you secrecy is sacrosanct.  They will destroy any threat to the race.  You know yourself what people are capable of, so if we were discovered, our lives would be over.  We would be guinea pigs.  Or cast as unholy abominations and either hunted down or imprisioned.  Or worse, the virus would somehow get weaponized.  There are too many scenarios that make it critical that we remain a tiny invisible minority.  That , your movies get right.  You understand what I’m saying?  I am trying to protect you, Park.  And a community of beings that have been around for a very, very long time.”
    “Do you kill?”
    Silence.  She felt bad for asking.  “I need to know, Bas.  Is it typical that you, or any of your race, kill when feeding?
    He still didn’t answer her.  She knew that was her answer.  They did.  She felt his eyes on her even though it was too dark to see him clearly.
    “It happens.  It isn’t necessary to kill to feed, but it happens.  Most of us don’t, if nothing else than to avoid detection or conflicts.  Dead bodies and missing people create conflict and suspicion.  And our method of feeding leaves a pretty distinct mark.  So, yes it happens, no, it isn’t typical.  And no, I don’t.”
    Her small sigh wasn’t a release of relief, she hadn’t thought he did.  He’d been fair with her, kind, and her link with him had been growing by the hour.  Her read of him showed him to be a hard man, but not a cruel or even mean one.  She smiled to herself in the dark.  She could just picture him with a puppy.
    A sharp snort drew her attention.  She swung her head over to see his white teeth illuminated by the LED lights on the dashboard panel.
    “Puppies, I eat.”  Then he rolled over toward the window and closed his eyes.  She didn’t believe him, but thought maybe it was a good thing she didn’t have a pet when he broke into her home earlier tonight.
     
    It wasn’t too long when Bas told her she needed to take an exit, and they continued a few miles off the highway to the left.  They were now at least an hour past where they’d been the last time.  But she knew.  He had to get out of the coming day.  It still blew her mind that this was happening to her, and that her companion was not human.  Bad sci-fi , she thought.   This is not my world.  I’m stick in the mud, dyed in the wool, dull, dull, dull.  How did I end up traveling with a supernatural being that is supposed to be only an urban legend?
    The “ultraviolet” free room for tonight was a cabin that had a basement located in an isolated camping area.  As they pulled up to the managers cabin, Bas asked her to keep the engine running.  Park turned to him.
    “Do you want me to come with you?  I promise I’ll behave.  It might just look more legit if it’s a man and woman checking in.”
    Bas tilted his head.  “You’re not getting this, are you?  It’s not a problem.  Alright, come with me.  I want you to see how we deal with the world.”
    Slipping the keys in her pocket, Park followed him into the office, which was dismally lit and had too many taxidermy decorations.  An elderly man sat on a shabby, ancient, hideously patterned couch, stained from years of beer and god knew what else.   The whole place smelled like dirt and old smoke.  A curling column from the man’s cigar was a testament to the room’s aroma.  He startled when