My jaw drops. I’m shocked, stunned and a little pissed off, amongst other things. Everyone looks in my direction, waiting for me to say something or hurt them.
I shake my head, my hands starting to tremble. “You’re lying.”
“Kayla, please calm down,” Mathew says. “I’m not saying you’re responsible. The doctors kept trying different injections on all the children. Usually they would end up dying or worse, turn into something that was half-dead, half-alive. However, when the injected you, it was as if your body became stronger and adapted to each serum they tried. Monarch decided to turn you into a perfect soldier. He didn’t allow you to make any connections with children. There was a day in the lab when he thought everything was perfect and he tricked you into biting someone.”
I can remember sinking my teeth into someone very well. “Gabrielle,” I say quietly.
“Yes, and that day started the change,” he explains. “Gabrielle immediately knew that he was changing into something; something stronger and more powerful than he had ever imagined. The rest of the doctors became excited and envious; they wanted to experience the same thing. So they injected themselves with the virus. The shot was called the fountain of youth; it would provide eternal life to those who took it. By this time, I’d left the colony, but from what I understand, the virus was marketed to the elite within the next few weeks. These elite groups of people became known as the Highers.”
“But something went wrong with the virus?” Aiden asks, pushing up the sleeves of his jacket.
Mathew nods, reclining in his chair. “It wasn’t too long before the Highers developed a thirst for blood and started feeding off humans. In addition, there was something about the Highers’ bite that caused people to forget they’d been bit. But the humans could only endure so many bites before they became infected and turned into what we now call vampires. As you know, their bite is deadly and immediately infects their victim, causing the disease to spread as they turn.”
I remember the Highers feeding off the vampires, and so this doesn’t make sense. “But why did I see the Highers feeding on the vampires?”
“Human blood no longer fulfills them. There’s something different with the composition of the vampire blood that allows the Highers to maintain their looks and strength. There’s a rumor going around that the Highers are becoming immune to the effects of the vampires’ blood and they need to come up with a different solution or their race may end.”
It’s all starting to make perfect sense. The bite of Gabrielle. The Highers feeding on the vampires, but why does it feel like something’s missing?
“When I was captured by Monarch and Gabrielle they told me they needed me alive to save their race,” I tell him. “Why?”
“I’m not sure… it would make sense, though, since the vampire’s blood is beginning to lose its effectiveness for them.” He pauses. “They’re probably trying to go back to the original source again. Start over and find another cure.” He clasps his hands together in front of him, contemplating something. “Whatever happens, we must make sure they don’t capture you again. We can’t risk them finding a cure if they are beginning to weaken.”
I note Mathew’s pale eyes again. “You never did explain to me why you look like a Higher,” I point out with wariness.
“Before I left the colony, I injected myself with one of the viruses that I believed to be a cure from the bite of a vampire. It had no effect on me until I was bitten a few weeks ago.” He spreads his hands out to the side of him. “This is what has happened since then.”
Aiden leans forward in his chair, his leg pushing against mine from under the table. I wonder if he’s doing it on purpose or if he even knows he is. “So, you are trying to tell us that you were bitten by a vampire weeks ago and are still alive? Because I find all of this hard to believe.”
Nichelle shoots Aiden a harsh look, her jaw tightening. “It’s true. We had some vampires break through our barricades. We lost many of our people.” She looks at Mathew with pride. “Mathew tried to defend the town, but was bitten on the leg.”
He returns her grin and she directs her attention back to Aiden, her eyes darkening. “A few weeks have passed and here he stands, not infected at all.”
Mathew looks at her sadly. “I haven’t turned yet, but I can feel it coming. It’s only a matter of time.”
“What do you mean it’s only a matter of time? How can you tell?” Greyson asks curiously. He’s been so quiet through all this, I almost forgot her was there.
Mathew seems uncomfortable with the question and shifts in his chair, moving forward then deciding to lean back again, as though he can’t figure out what to do with himself. “I started hallucinating that my skin was falling off. I’ve actually had to check in the mirror several times to make sure it’s not real.”
Aiden raises his eyebrows at me, bumps my knee from under the table and then whispers, “Do you really believe him?”
I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything anymore.
“Are you sure that you’re not putting anyone at risk; that you’re not changing?” I ask Mathew.
“Mathew wouldn’t put anybody at risk,” Nichelle snaps. “He’s always been the one who tries to help others.”
Mathew puts his hand on Nichelle’s and gives her an affectionate look. “Nichelle’s right. If I think that I’m becoming dangerous to anyone, I’ll make sure the right thing is done.”
Greyson looks at Mathew with disappointment. “So your change has only been delayed. Does that mean that there’s no cure?” He frowns.
Mathew takes a folded piece of paper out of his pocket then he puts it onto the table and smoothes out the wrinkles. There’s something written on it, but since I can’t read. I don’t know what it says.
“Not too long ago a man came in search of me,” he says. “He claimed to be sent here by Monarch, and he told me that Monarch wasn’t sure if I was still alive, but if I was, he was to deliver this paper to me. From what I remember of Monarch’s handwriting, I’m pretty sure the man wasn’t lying and Monarch did write this.” He taps his finger on the paper.
“What does it say?” I ask, glancing at Aiden, wondering if he can read it.