'YOU'LL BE FINE.'
Cottingley stepped back, admiring his work. Jessica had to admit he'd done a good job. The brass plugs in Flint's head were barely noticeable, camouflaged by the resin the professor had applied. William's neck was another matter: criss-crossed with thick black stitches; though Cottingley had assured them the wound would heal in time.
'I'm not going to turn into a bloodsucker then?'
'Not if you take the medicine, Flint. Every day, mind, like I said.'
'I hope you have a plentiful supply, Cottingley.'
The professor ignored the comment, shining a small cigar-shaped light into Flint's black eye. 'And you are able to see through this as normal?'
Flint blinked. 'I am, thank the stars. If anything, I'm able to see even better. Especially in the dark.'
Cottingley took Flint's right wrist, pressing down with two fingers. 'Fascinating,' he said. 'No pulse at all!'
'How does this affect him, Professor?' Jessica was the only other person in the laboratory. Atsu was resting, whilst Tommy was showing Cathy the workings of the airship, despite the Zephyr's indignant protests.
'If my tests are correct, he will be able to lead a normal life. Here,' he said, handing Flint a small red pill and a glass of water, 'take this.'
Flint eyed the medicine then shrugged and popped it into his mouth. Cottingley strode round behind him.
'One final test,' said Cottingley, holding up a long silver scalpel.
Jessica's eyes widened. As Flint tilted back his head to drink the water, the Professor plunged the scalpel straight into the man's right arm. Flint didn't appear to notice.
'Just as I thought!' Cottingley withdrew the implement and inspected it. 'Not even a trace of blood. Remarkable.'
'What was that, Cottingley?' Flint lowered the glass.
'It would appear, Mr Flint, that you are impervious to injury.'
'You mean I can't be hurt?'
'So it would seem. Which explains how you survived shooting yourself. Though having your heart punctured or your head removed will kill you immediately, of course.'
Flint tapped himself on the side of his face. Then, gritting his teeth, he punched himself hard. 'You're right, Cottingley,' he said, massaging his jaw. 'Didn't feel a thing. Could come in useful, eh Jessica?'
'We have to make sure the Department doesn't find out. I doubt they will look too favourably on this development.'
'Does that mean I get out of those damn trips to Whitehall?'
Jessica laughed. 'Yes, William, it would appear you do. I shall report back to Appleton tomorrow, but shall take Atsu with me. I will inform anyone who asks that you are recovering from a minor injury.'
'Then I wish I'd been bitten months ago!' Flint put his shirt back on and stood up from the operating table. 'Now, if you don't mind, I think I shall go for a lie down.' He thumped himself in the chest, grinning.
Jessica waited until Flint had left, then turned to Cottingley. 'You are sure he will be alright?'
'As sure as I can be, my dear. He has the physical qualities of a vampyre, but not the appetite, if you get my meaning. Though the medicine is vital to ensure that does not develop.'
'And do we have enough?'
'A month's supply; maybe six weeks. I did not anticipate I would ever need it, otherwise I would have obtained more.'
'But it is easy to get, I trust?'
'Oh yes,' said Cottingley. 'Getting it is easy. Though I'm afraid getting it out again is the hard part.'
'What do you mean? Where did you get it, Professor?'
'It is made from dragonsbane, my dear. A rare species of fungus. The only known substance to keep vampyric tendencies in check. In enough quantity, I have heard, it can even reverse the process.'
'I asked you where you got it, not what it is.'
'Of course you did, I apologise.' Cottingley fidgeted with some apparatus on a metal trolley. 'I bought it from a trader in Smithfields. A bit of a cove he was, much like ourselves. I had to pay a fair old price for it too, given the trouble he had obtaining it. You see, it only grows in a very specific place, my dear. Draconic caves.'
Jessica's stomach lurched. 'You mean to tell me,' she said, 'that the only place we can obtain the medicine to stop Flint turning into a vampyre is in a dragon's lair?'
'Yes, that's about the size of it.'
'Damn it.' Jessica shook her head. 'I insist we keep this information between you and I, Professor. It would seem that whatever Appleton has planned for us next, we have a mission of our own we need to undertake.'
'Indeed,' said Cottingley. 'It's all rather exciting, don't you think?'
CHAPTER TWELVE
Leaving the Heart Behind