"Robert Doherty - Area 51 - Nosferatu" - читать интересную книгу автора (Doherty Robert)

ask to be accepted by the humans." He crossed his arms across his chest. "I
propose we rule them."
There were several moments of silence following Adrik's proposal. Finally,
Nosferatu voiced the objection he knew Tian Dao Lin was thinking. "Ruling would
force us into the open. Even with the great power and influence we have amassed
over the years, we would still be vulnerable. We have all seen great and
powerful rulers over the ages who were destroyed. We have just witnessed the
humans defeat the Airlia, something I would not have thought possible. We should
not underestimate them. And there have been attempts by Undead, particularly
Vampyr, and you"тАФhe stared at AdrikтАФ"to rule before and all have failed."
"It depends on what you mean by failure," Adrik argued. "I had magnificent
successes in many places. Names I have used are in the human history books as
great leaders."
"But you could never maintain your kingdoms; nor could Vampyr," Nosferatu
noted.
"So you say we stay in the shadows still?" Adrik demanded. "Let our fortunes
and fates go with the flow of mankind? At least when the Airlia ruled through
their minions we had some degree of assurance that there would be a world left
for us to live in. Humans, on their own"тАФhe shook his headтАФ"they will destroy
themselves, and us with them. We are wiser, more experienced. It would be in
their interest for us to dictate their course."

7

"And when we feed?" Tian Dao Lin quietly asked. "If we could have partaken of
the Grail and become immortal without the need to drink blood, then I would say
perhaps we could rule. But without that, do you think the humans would be so
obliging as to give us bodies to feed on?"
Adrik shrugged. "They could give us their worst criminalsтАФthe humans kill
thousands themselves in punishment. Your own China chops off how many heads each
year? And for those who feel the kill is not necessary"тАФhe glanced disdainfully
toward NosferatuтАФ"there is always a way to get blood without killing."
"We are only a handful," Tian Dao Lin said. "Even with our money and influence
. . ." He trailed off into silence.
"Why have you brought us here then?" Adrik demanded of Nosferatu. "Surely you
had a reason."
Nosferatu nodded. "I had two reasons. I called you here to discuss what we
should do first before we can accomplish anything else, including trying to rule
the humans."
Nosferatu got to his feet and walked over to an ancient armoire, opening its
wooden doors to reveal a small stainless-steel door. He slid it up and removed
three flasks also made of unmarked steel resting in specially made cradles that
kept the contents warm. He carried them back to the table, placing one in front
of each man before taking his seat with the third. He unscrewed the lid and
lifted it to his lips, tilting the flask and drinking deeply for several seconds
before putting it back on the table. There was a faint trace of red on his lips,
which he dabbed away with a silk handkerchief When he was done his face was
flushed, his eyes glittering with increased power.
He indicated the other flasks. "It's tested: clean, pure, relatively fresh,
and kept at body temperature. Imbibe, my friends. There is much I have to talk