Read Online The Dead War Series (Book 2): Desperate Times by D.N. Simmons - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: D.N. Simmons
Tags: Zombies | Vampires
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remarked.
“I offer my humblest apologies, sir. I thought it best to keep up appearances, that way when we give into your demands, it won't raise too many questions or much opposition. They would have seen that the President was making the best decision considering the circumstance,” Jackson offered by way of an explanation.
“Does your ability to influence mentally fail you?”
“No, sir, but not everyone who was listening in are here in this room. We have people via satellite and conference call. I had to clear the room in order to have this conversation.”
Cassian nodded, deciding to cease his argument. He was more frustrated than he'd been in a very long time and his normally calm attitude was taking a rather nasty turn. His eyes panned over the faces of the four humans standing in the corner of the office staring back at him. He could sense their fear as well as smell it. The scent was intoxicating and would have been better relished during the evenings when his hunger could rise to the occasion and indulge. He kept his gaze on them as he continued his conversation. He wanted them to know what his plans were and what he was so that they would understand his motivations and accept them whether they wanted to or not.
“Very well, Jackson. Tell me now, what are Adaline's plans at this time?” Cassian asked.
“First off, may I please say that the bombing of Chicago was not an attack on you, of course, but simply to stop the spread before it grew out of control.”
“Hmm, I'm sure,” Cassian noted dryly. “That didn't yield the desired results, now did it?”
“You must believe me when I say it wasn't as a direct attack on you and your city. We tried to give enough warning and time for you to evacuate your people. It was simply the next step the government would have to take to--”
“Spare me the press line, I find it insulting.”
Jackson cleared his throat and took a deep breath before continuing. “My Mistress doesn't want a war with you.”
“Wise decision on her part. Now, back to business. Seeing as you have the President of the free country, as they call it, as your slave, I'm sure I can count on my demands being met,” Cassian said, bringing the conversation back to its roots.
“I'll do my best to make sure St. Louis will be off limits. But may I make two small requests... if only to increase all of our chances of survival?”
“And they would be?” Cassian waited.
“For one, please share your research. Surely, it would be beneficial for all of us if we put our scientists on the road to a cure, too. It's not about who saves the world, only that the world gets saved.”
Cassian scoffed. “Are you so foolish to imply that I give a shit about taking claim if and when a cure is created?”
“I...I didn't mean to imply the like, sir,” Jackson stammered as he struggled to correct his blunder. He had heard stories of Cassian, the powerful Master vampire of Chicago. Of his cruelty and ruthlessness towards his enemies. The last thing he wanted to do was make himself his enemy... or his Mistress for that matter.
“Your ill-chosen words would prove that you did, but I have neither the time nor inclination to press the matter. Getting back to what you suggest, I would agree. Our survival is what's important.” Cassian paused, thinking of his options. “I'll tell you what, send a few of your men here. We'll give them copies of what we have. It may take a while as we're still preparing for what's coming. However, once we have the information together, we'll give it to your team and they can return to Washington D.C. That is all you'll get from me.”
“That is very generous, thank you, sir,” Jackson stated. “As for the human element of our concerns, this brings me to my second request, which is why I said I'll do my best to protect your city. I'm going to need another favor from you. The people who were in this room earlier are going to want some kind of agreement as
“I offer my humblest apologies, sir. I thought it best to keep up appearances, that way when we give into your demands, it won't raise too many questions or much opposition. They would have seen that the President was making the best decision considering the circumstance,” Jackson offered by way of an explanation.
“Does your ability to influence mentally fail you?”
“No, sir, but not everyone who was listening in are here in this room. We have people via satellite and conference call. I had to clear the room in order to have this conversation.”
Cassian nodded, deciding to cease his argument. He was more frustrated than he'd been in a very long time and his normally calm attitude was taking a rather nasty turn. His eyes panned over the faces of the four humans standing in the corner of the office staring back at him. He could sense their fear as well as smell it. The scent was intoxicating and would have been better relished during the evenings when his hunger could rise to the occasion and indulge. He kept his gaze on them as he continued his conversation. He wanted them to know what his plans were and what he was so that they would understand his motivations and accept them whether they wanted to or not.
“Very well, Jackson. Tell me now, what are Adaline's plans at this time?” Cassian asked.
“First off, may I please say that the bombing of Chicago was not an attack on you, of course, but simply to stop the spread before it grew out of control.”
“Hmm, I'm sure,” Cassian noted dryly. “That didn't yield the desired results, now did it?”
“You must believe me when I say it wasn't as a direct attack on you and your city. We tried to give enough warning and time for you to evacuate your people. It was simply the next step the government would have to take to--”
“Spare me the press line, I find it insulting.”
Jackson cleared his throat and took a deep breath before continuing. “My Mistress doesn't want a war with you.”
“Wise decision on her part. Now, back to business. Seeing as you have the President of the free country, as they call it, as your slave, I'm sure I can count on my demands being met,” Cassian said, bringing the conversation back to its roots.
“I'll do my best to make sure St. Louis will be off limits. But may I make two small requests... if only to increase all of our chances of survival?”
“And they would be?” Cassian waited.
“For one, please share your research. Surely, it would be beneficial for all of us if we put our scientists on the road to a cure, too. It's not about who saves the world, only that the world gets saved.”
Cassian scoffed. “Are you so foolish to imply that I give a shit about taking claim if and when a cure is created?”
“I...I didn't mean to imply the like, sir,” Jackson stammered as he struggled to correct his blunder. He had heard stories of Cassian, the powerful Master vampire of Chicago. Of his cruelty and ruthlessness towards his enemies. The last thing he wanted to do was make himself his enemy... or his Mistress for that matter.
“Your ill-chosen words would prove that you did, but I have neither the time nor inclination to press the matter. Getting back to what you suggest, I would agree. Our survival is what's important.” Cassian paused, thinking of his options. “I'll tell you what, send a few of your men here. We'll give them copies of what we have. It may take a while as we're still preparing for what's coming. However, once we have the information together, we'll give it to your team and they can return to Washington D.C. That is all you'll get from me.”
“That is very generous, thank you, sir,” Jackson stated. “As for the human element of our concerns, this brings me to my second request, which is why I said I'll do my best to protect your city. I'm going to need another favor from you. The people who were in this room earlier are going to want some kind of agreement as
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