Free Chosen by Blood by Virna Depaul Page B

And now that we have reason to believe North Korea bought and obtained the antidote, the President is reconsidering.”
    Knox raised his brows, his blood tingling with a rush of adrenaline. Since his initial meeting with Mahone, Knox had made lists summarizing the information he knew, as well as every potential theory he could come up with. As far as a possible buyer was concerned, North Korea was certainly on his list of potential governments that would benefit by the antidote. Whenever possible, it promoted itself as an Others supporter, which was laughable really, given North Korea’s fanatic pursuit of homogeny in all things.
    If they obtained the antidote and provided it to vamps, secretly or not, they would gain a powerful ally. While Knox didn’t believe anyone in his clan would be so weak, there were other clans—clans smaller in numbers, clans that were fractured and dissatisfied with the terms of the Humanity Treaty—that might.
    “The vamp guard you were telling me about the other day, is he guarding the scientists now?”
    Mahone leaned back in his chair, his suspicion readily apparent. “Why do you ask?”
    “Because I’m wondering what you know about him. Would he be susceptible to bribery if North Korea were to contact him?”
    “How open-minded of you to voice suspicion of a vamp. Or is that because I told you he isn’t from your clan?”
    Knox refused to answer and Mahone shrugged. “Kristoff Lafleur has worked with the FBI for almost twenty-five years. We just didn’t know for most of that time that he was a vampire. He’s proven his dedication time and again, and I have no concerns that he’s involved in this. On the other hand, we intercepted a transmission yesterday between North Korea and one of its allies, in which a high-ranking military leader referred to their recent success in obtaining a ‘cure.’”
    Not missing the way Mahone had brushed off his concerns about Lafleur, Knox nevertheless felt a surge of excitement that the word “cure” had indeed been linked with the North Korean government. It was weak evidence, but evidence nonetheless. They’d need more, however, before launching an offensive attack. “I’m assuming your people will continue surveillance while Team Red is gathered?”
    “That’s right.” Mahone shrugged. “And who knows? I’m betting you’ll get your chance at the scientists, too.” For a moment, Mahone looked troubled, but then he smiled mockingly. “But only after you’ve officially agreed to join the Bureau. That way, even if you manage to discover the antidote’s chemical composition, I’ll still have your word that you’ll lead this team.”
    “What about my word that I won’t siphon out other topsecret information? Don’t you want that?”
    Mahone smiled slightly. “National secrets aren’t what you want, Devereaux. I know that, even if the President needs some convincing.”
    That was good to know, of course, but no real surprise. Mahone knew Knox’s needs were few—take care of those who belonged to him and make sure that a certain stubborn human finally accepted that she fell within that category. “You never answered before. Can I assume you’ve made the proper arrangements to get me what I want?” Knox asked.
    Before Mahone could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the clock before answering.
    “This is Mahone.” He paused, then gave a slight nod. “Send her in.” He hung up. “Speaking of what you want,” Mahone murmured softly.
    Every muscle in Knox’s body tensed. “She’s here?”
    “Yes.”
    Breathing became slightly easier as relief hit him. “So she agreed.”
    “Not exactly. I haven’t had a chance—”
    Knox immediately closed his eyes. A heavy disappointment warred with annoyance that Mahone hadn’t even approached Felicia with Knox’s demands. “She doesn’t know,” he confirmed flatly.
    “Not yet. After rescuing that dharmire, she left town for a few days.”
    Knox growled. “I don’t