Murphy saw Rens taking notes and Jetta exchanging meaningful glances with her secretary.
“We are not as concentrated,” Jetta’s secretary said, “but we have seen infection as well. Five immortals and one hundred twenty-three humans. Also centered around two nightclubs in Stockholm, both owned and frequented by immortals. We’ve taken care of the infection in a similar manner. I am curious about our Irish friends.”
All eyes turned to Anne and Murphy.
“As most of you know,” Murphy began, “Ireland had some of the first confirmed cases of both human and vampire Elixir poisoning. It was Brigid Connor, my security chief here, who detected the pattern among the missing, and Carwyn ap Bryn, her mate, who was involved in the Battle of Rome where Livia was killed, who finally gave us the answers about what was infecting our population. Unfortunately, because we were not aware of the drug, we had some of the highest rates of infection at first. There have been humans and vampires affected, many of whom are now dead. After the initial surge, I laid down very specific rules about feeding that those in my territories have been following for over two years now.”
Murphy heard a few muffled laughs around the room.
Jetta raised an eyebrow. “What? You told your people not to feed from humans in clubs, and they obeyed you?”
“Yes.”
His one-word answer seemed to shock the room into silence.
“Because of that,” he continued, “we’ve had far lower rates of vampire infection in that time, though we’ve had similar numbers regarding human infection.”
“Why Dublin?” Rens Anker asked.
“It’s a good question.” Murphy turned to Anne. “Dr. O’Dea?”
Anne said, “As most of you know, Dublin has become a magnet for university-aged humans under immortal aegis. There are students from all over the world in the city because it is well controlled and considered quite safe for both humans and vampires. We believe Dublin may have been targeted because of this. There was also a doctor in Dublin, Ioan ap Carwyn, working with the original researcher who uncovered the Elixir manuscript. Ioan was doing research that made him a target. And though he was killed, some of Livia’s allies, the ones who killed Ioan, stayed in Dublin. We believe they were the ones who received the initial shipments.”
“What happened to them?” Rens asked.
“They’re dead,” Murphy said, the pain of Jack’s betrayal still a sharp lance in his chest.
He felt Anne’s hand reach for his under the table.
“So.” Terry quickly changed the subject. “Kids get infected in Dublin, go home for holidays or when they graduate. Just another way to spread Elixir.”
“Are the humans that stupid?” Jetta asked. “I realize they’re mortal, but—”
“Don’t forget,” Anne said. “Elixir is a drug, even though it doesn’t give a typical ‘high’ and doesn’t present as one initially. Effects and timing vary from person to person, but almost all humans who take it feel wonderful and healthy at first. It improves their looks. If young people get their hands on it, they will want more.”
Jetta said, “That seems like a madness of its own kind. Isn’t it simple enough to smell them? Don’t those who have taken Elixir smell of pomegranates?”
“They do,” Murphy said. “But the scent can be masked, and both the smell and taste are intoxicating to our kind. Vampires who drink from an infected human want more. They’re not always able to think rationally.”
“Especially if they’re young and their sires are living,” Brigid said quietly in the corner behind Murphy. “The risk is considered a thrill.”
Murphy continued, “And whoever is behind this continues to innovate. We’re currently holding a group of infected humans that was shipped into Dublin recently. They are quite far advanced in the infection, but that may be as much a consequence of the smuggling as the Elixir. It appears the idea was to seed them into the local immortal population. The humans were told they were going to be domestic servants. We don’t know who shipped them from the Black Sea or where they were ultimately intended to go.”
“Damn Russians…,” Jetta muttered.
“The Russians don’t control every port on the Black Sea,” Rens Anker said.
“They control many of them.”
“That investigation is ongoing.” Murphy tried to get the meeting back on track. “From the beginning, I’ve found the best way of controlling the spread of this drug has been to offer information among my people as freely and as quickly as possible. Secrecy only leads to more infection.”
Rens said, “You don’t worry about creating a panic?”
“What could I tell them that wouldn’t be worse whispered in shadows?” Murphy asked. “By sharing what I know, they feel free to come to me if they suspect any of their humans or employees are infected. They’re more alert to smuggling. More aware in their own business dealings. Secrecy will only lead to misinformation and create greater panic, not less.”
Jetta and her secretary were exchanging more pointed looks.
“Anne,” Jetta said, “Northern Ireland has also seen infection, yes?”
“It has. It’s a small population—also mainly urban—but there have been cases. Over fifty humans infected. Only three vampires.”
Jetta’s eyes lit. “And how did Mary deal with the vampires?”