Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) Kathryn Jayne (best sci fi novels of all time txt) 📖

“Normally that would be the case, but you’re creating cells to neutralise the vampire toxin.”

“Like antibodies?” She frowned.

“No. Unlike antibodies, these cells aren’t working with your body to destroy them, rather they’re changing them into something different, but I can’t ascertain what. That said, your blood itself is not like anything I’ve seen. You’ve got Elder bloodline markers, but there’s another—”

“You mean she’s a sovereign hybrid?” Conrad questioned. “How’s that even possible? I thought cross-species procreation was impossible.”

“Almost impossible. It can be achieved if the female was a breeder, and yet her DNA shows neither of the parents held any breeder markers. The reason she was conceived must have had something to do with her father’s lineage, and whatever gifts he passed on to his child allowed her to survive.”

“Can you tell who—what my father is?”

“No. I’ve not seen a genetic composition that even resembles what you have, and I have access to the most extensive catalogue ever compiled. Whatever line your father is from is so well hidden, even we don’t know about it, and his genes not only allow you to maintain your genetic purity but would allow a foetus from any race to survive. That necklace you wear is the only reason you’re safe. If anyone were to discover you could sire a child, not to mention pass on Elder blood…” Selene shook her head. The Elder bloodlines were powerful preternaturals thought to have initially been conceived with divinity, making them into something more. The blood was passed down to each genuine heir, but they were few in number due to the difficulties of procreation, which meant those who did exist were held in renown by all the clans. Their position being similar to the archaic monastery system for each species’ faction.

“I don’t understand. Do I hold the breeder gene or not?” Ashley wrapped her arms protectively around herself. She knew from her studies that those capable of bearing offspring to preternatural beings were identified at the age of fourteen. Breeders, being very few in number, possessed no rights and were destined for a life of servitude. However, a family who bore a breeder child was well compensated, but had no right to deny the sale of their offspring. A preternatural breeder was almost unheard of. Most hailed from the human race, but generally only one was located every few decades, making them a sought-after possession to be used and sold on after bearing the family a child.

“No, not in the traditional sense. You’re a preternatural whose breed is capable of bearing children. Until today, I didn’t even know such a race existed. Others will not only smell this on you, but taste it, too.”

“But she doesn’t have a scent,” Conrad interjected, echoing the words his father had spoken just hours before.

“And now we’re back to the necklace.”

“Wait! Doesn’t her chip contain historical data of her family’s genealogy?” Reuben questioned, straightening slightly in the chair.

“I wasn’t chipped—at least not until I was adopted. My adoptive parents arranged the chip, but not knowing my birth parents meant the information completed was limited.”

“How old were you?” Selene questioned, finally pulling up a chair to join them sitting around the table.

“Six, almost seven.”

“That’s before children come into their gifts. Given you were also wearing the suppressor, you would have read as human. Only tests completed after this age would have shown your blood to be different and, because of the necklace’s holistic suppression, your scent won’t have trigged any mandatory examinations from peers. Very clever.” Selene dipped her head slightly, lost in thought for a second.

“And it has never been updated because you always refuse to go to hospital,” Conrad said, with a dawning realisation.

“I’ve never really been ill, not until I started collapsing, and my brother insisted a place full of preternaturals beings was not the best place for someone to go who can undo their nature. That’s why Tess and Jack knew what to do at the cinema,” she added, glancing at Conrad. “So what exactly do I do with this information?”

“For now, keep that on at all times.” Selene gestured towards the necklace. “I assume from how it reacted to me earlier, that it is protected to ensure no one but you can remove it. I’d like to arrange some time together to study your abilities once your body has expelled the remaining virus. I’m curious to see what that necklace is suppressing. It may offer us answers as to your father’s species, but we’ll have to be careful. You’ve worn it since before you came into your magic, so if it’s removed without some manner of buffer in place, the results could be disastrous. We’ll have to proceed with caution. I can fashion some lower level seals and we can work on altering them accordingly. I’ll have Conrad set something up that works for you.”

Alex ducked as magical bombardment flashed and ricocheted overhead, illuminating the metal girders of the large warehouse. Tables lay strewn and broken while the shattered glass from the manufacturing lab sparkled in the explosive light of the crossfire. One of his arms protectively shielded the head of a young boy from the Aphrodisia Clan—the clan name given to beings whose presence induced feelings of lust and love—as the false ceiling rained down fibreglass.

A quick glance towards his partner, Bindu, who sheltered several feet away, confirmed the Anthousai—more commonly known as a flower nymph—had also been successfully retrieved. A resounding crack sent a shower of sparks from above, shorting out the remaining lights, plunging the warehouse into darkness for barely a second before his partner released her magic, sending several glowing orbs soaring above. They spiralled upwards towards the ceiling for a moment, before homing in on their attackers, providing Alex with the perfect markers. Ice left his fingertips in silent, deadly attack. The crumpling of the bodies crunching upon the shattered remains of the laboratory confirmed his aim had been true.

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