Eva's Critical Choice: Power or Peril?
Flash Fiction Friday - Episode 6 of "Sanguine Serendipity" - 927 words
Welcome to this week’s Sanguine Serendipity vampire serial, and since this is Flash Fiction Friday, the posts are less than 1000 words.
Last week, Dominic Carpathia made an offer our heroes couldn’t refuse. This week, their product has been out for six months and their deal is finally coming back to bite them in the ass with sharpened fangs.
Here’s Episode 6…
“You were right, Eva.” Cornelius slammed the door to their EverThirst laboratory. “That damned, insufferable scoundrel!”
Eva flinched. “Who?”
Vincent cringed. “Probably me.”
“Not you. Dominic.”
“Yes, he is an arrogant prick.” Eva resumed her studies of whatever she viewed under the microscope.
“You warned us, but… Huh.” Cornelius wiped his hand down his face. “I never dreamed he’d go this far.”
“What do you mean?” Vincent sat forward on the couch, elbows on his knees.
“He’s propositioned billionaire CEOs with immortality. In exchange, he wants half their companies.”
Eva lifted her wide blue eyes, attention riveted on Cornelius. “He what?”
“EverThirst has made vampires public knowledge, so he no longer has control of the new vampires.”
“But those billionaires could go to any young vampire and get transformed.” Vincent shrugged. “Why fork over half their company?”
“Because Dominic doesn’t give them a choice.” Eva began pacing. “It’s his offer or torture.”
“Word is, he did this a week after we joined him.” Cornelius rubbed his neck, the phantom pain reminding him of the “deal” they’d struck.
Eva closed her eyes. “Of course, he did.”
“I also just learned he has meetings scheduled with certain members of Congress.”
“Shit!” Vincent stood. “What’s stopping him from going international?”