Chapter 14 - The Hidden Toxin
Julian’s blood froze in his veins. He grabbed Clara’s arm, examining her skin under the harsh fluorescent lights of the private vehicle. Beneath her pale wrists, faint bluish veins were spreading in an unnatural web toward her elbows.
""Clara... when Victoria scratched you on the balcony, what was on her ring?"" Julian demanded, his voice laced with absolute panic.
Clara looked down at the three thin scratch marks across her inner forearm. A sudden numbness was already creeping up her fingers. ""Her signet ring... it had a hollow tip. I felt a sharp pinch when she swung at me.""
""Drive to Saint Jude’s Research Hospital! Clear the route now!"" Julian roared at his security escort, kicking open the armored door and pulling Clara inside the vehicle.
Clara’s vision began to blur. She leaned heavily against Julian’s shoulder, her breathing turning shallow and labored. ""Julian... Leo...""
""I have you. Clara, look at me! Keep your eyes open!"" Julian shouted, tearing his tie off and tying a tight tourniquet around her upper arm to slow the venous flow.
Leo started crying, grasping Clara’s limp hand. ""Mommy, sing the song! Sing the secret song!""
Clara tried to speak, but her vocal cords seized. The neurotoxin was an advanced military paralytic, designed to induce cardiac arrest within thirty minutes. Victoria’s final strike was an insurance policy against failure.
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Julian dialed Dr. Cole’s former deputy at the research lab. ""Find Cole's personal vault at the medical facility! Look for an antitoxin labeled Saint-Claire Alpha! If you don't find it within fifteen minutes, I will raze that entire hospital to the ground!""
Clara’s eyelids fluttered shut. Her pulse beneath Julian’s thumb slowed to a faint, erratic flutter.
