Page 71 of The Gift
“I worked with many leading biologists before studying Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility,” he starts.
“What does this have to do with money?” I interrupt, trying to keep him on track. The last thing we need is another extended tangent where he talks an awful lot and tells us nothing.
“One of the workers at the hospital needed money. He had a younger sibling who was exactly what I needed. I paid for Evie and the rest, as they say, is history. Although, since it worked so well the first time, we did employ this technique a few times. Particularly after a run of adverse tests and reactions rendered my Evies… impractical.”
My camera man moves suddenly, looking like he’s about to hurl, but the flashing light on the camera lets me know we’re still rolling.
“We have a few more questions and then we can leave you to your busy day.” I drive this train wreck faster than necessary, but we’re all done. I can feel the A-team near me vibrating in fury, and the guards are all looking decidedly violent too. The man continues to glow brighter and brighter with the worst case of pride I’ve seen.
“I would like you to come see me again, Bailey,” he says abruptly, his comment unexpected.
“Ms. Henderson to you, fuck face,” Henley barks—his voice cold, his alpha presence burning hot. Regalo rears back in response, while I lean slightly over in my chair closer to Henley.
“Well, visitor approvals take time to arrange,” I add quickly, trying to stop the unavoidable violence. Trying to finish this interview.
“I will put in a request as soon as this finishes. You are a delightful creature.”
A rumble, like a violent thunder crack, interrupts our stilted conversation but all it does is feed Regalo’s ego.
I pull out an unapproved line of questioning that stops him in his tracks. “We met with one of the omegas from the Regalo project, and she is insistent that some of her memory of the time with you has been tampered with. She went on to say that it was almost a battle for her to bond with a pack, despite an obvious connection with her alpha. How did you do it?”
The man’s ego steadily inflates, and he doesn’t even object to the question, which I knew he wouldn’t. He loves this attention.
“The first trials were hindered by fear that our omegas emitted. Because of their adverse reactions the first experiments were an abysmal failure. We did however learn valuable lessons. We had to begin the arduous task of restocking the commodity most needed—our Evies. Because of our Evies dying mid experiment, we lost valuable time. Once operational, with three prime omegas in commission this time, and our facility at full capacity with viable subjects, we recommenced with earnest, fulfilling orders left, right, and centre.”
I nod my head, locking my teeth together to stop my reaction, even managing to hide the shake of my hands. It’s a hard task keeping up with his level of lunacy, hiding my own personal interest, while capturing what we need for the program.
Repressing my emotions and reactions means I’m going to pay dearly for this duplicity later. My mind’s going to play tricks, while my body struggles to separate the past from the present. I guess the A-team are going to be tested more than we currently are.
“Prime omegas?” I question him in my professional voice.
“Yes, yes. I much prefer the term Evies. Don’t you? Eve of a new day, Adam and Eve, evolution…”
It’s the look in his eye and what he’s spilling that has me hissing before I can stop myself. “You sick fuck.” I hide it under a sudden cough, making the A-team shuffle on their feet.
A small tick of Regalo’s left eye lets me know he caught it too. I’m warring with myself being professional and not giving a flying fuck.
Of course, Regalo continues with a renewed determination which is what I was hoping to avoid. He’s gloating, pure and simple. All I want is the hope of getting some form of closure for the victims, and I’ll sit through another hour of this bullshit if I think I have a hope of getting it.
“Our sweet baby Evies had to be hypnotised so we could simulate their heat in order to extract the source of their essence. We had alphas on hand to assist in that process, and when they were ripe, we harvested the purest, most viable omega stem cells. Those cells became the pathway to our success and they in turn become our ‘mothers’ birthing an entire new designation. Our little Evie’s gave their gift to every one of our subjects. Without them, we would have failed. Isn’t that a beautiful thing? Our Evies are the true gift here.”
The mood of the interview room drops instantly. Everyone holds their breath, trying to figure out if he actually said what he said. All of it sounds so farcical and anyone would think it impossible that he would stoop so low, but the evidence is everywhere we look, and he keeps admitting more horrors.
“I have to say, that is the most offensive thing I have ever heard. Honestly, on behalf of our viewers, I have to say your flippant disregard for their welfare is appalling and shameful.”
“And yet society is now reaping my rewards and you are here asking for my story. The world wants to know, and they should. It is because of my tireless work that packs are becoming healthier. Omega numbers are rising again, enabling society to thrive. Let’s not lose sight of what I achieved because of society’s sensitivity on how I did what no one else would.” He pauses briefly, purposely building the tension up before he continues with a feral but happy smile on his face. “Even the alphas recognised that what I was doing was the only way forward, so many signed up. So many.”
“You are one sick cunt,” Koda snaps. I’d felt his emotions building along with his need to come closer to me over the last hour. And I know whatever Koda and I are is new and barely formed, but as much as I know Regalo is the lowest of the lows, I know that Koda will be the strongest of the strong. A person prepared to wall away the horrors of this world so I can see the beauty of it—he’ll take the burden to give me my happiness. Any other time, I’d be in his arms, kissing my man stupid.
“Of course, you’re the one to speak. It’s part of who you are.” Regalo’s gaze moves from mine to Koda for the first time since we started nearly an hour ago. Without him analysing me, I can breathe a little easier. But there’s still this growing need, or realisation, that we’re all at the end of our time and patience.
“Perhaps we can continue.”
“Of course. Excuse us nasty alphas posturing. It must be so intimidating for you, little Bailey.”
“Last warning,” the biggest, widest, meanest officer says after slamming his truncheon into Regalo’s side.
Everyone ignores the show of violence because we all know Regalo deserves it and more.
