"And you're no closer at all?" she asked, holding her breath for the answer.
"Nope. I had to start over yesterday. I told Kris I don't think it's possible to duplicate the antigen that makes you immune to Immortals. I can probably get close with a few years of research, but not in two months."
She suspected Kris might override his promise to let her go in five weeks, if Ully couldn't figure it out. She released her breath, satisfied on more than one level to postpone her return to the human world.
The wind chime above the door tinkled. Kris entered, followed by someone whose appearance made her gasp. Sasha looked over her, uninterested, and both her hands went to her throat at the memory of what he'd done to her in Hell. Fear fluttered through her, and her gaze flew to Kris, whom she trusted little more than his sadistic brother. Kris's gaze was amber, a visual indicator of his anger despite his calm features.
"Ully," he said in a clipped tone. "Test this." He tossed a vial whose contents were the color of blood. Ully caught it and held it up.
Katie snagged the perfume off the table as the two brothers neared and eased off the chair, placing it between her and them. Sasha seemed to be ignoring her, though a small smile of amusement was on his face.
"What is it?" Ully asked curiously.
"The solution to our problem," Kris answered.
"My lab in Hell didn't have the ethical reservations you do in using Immortal or demon test subjects," Sasha said.
"How could you let him in here?" she demanded of Kris, unnerved by his sudden appearance in a place where she was allegedly safe.
"I came bearing gifts, namely the immunity blood you all need to fight the Dark One's army. I seek an alliance against my former employer and to regain my place at the Council," Sasha answered.
"Cut the shit, Sasha," Kris snapped. "I haven't decided what to do with you yet, and you may end up with an assassination contract on your head."
"As you wish," Sasha said in a voice so calm it drew the gazes of everyone in the room. "Ully, test that now," Kris ordered. "Sasha, you'll follow me to your room."
Sasha bowed his head in a mocking show of respect. Katie watched him go, her nightmares in her thoughts and her heart pounding. When the door closed, she looked at the vial of blood.