“Um…no, sir,” Izzo said, fighting the urge to laugh. “What I mean is that as time goes on and more testing is done, other DNA markers are discovered. Several years back, a group of researchers in England dug up one of the mass graves of the poor souls lost during the Black Death. They were able to extract DNA from some teeth, and long story short, it ended up adding another genetic marker to our list.” Izzo pointed to the results in his hand. “That marker, sir.”

Napoleon peered at the results and then back at Izzo. He didn’t want to appear stupid, but Napoleon’s grasp of science was right up there with his sense of decency. “So, what exactly are you saying?”

“I took it upon myself to test several members of your coven. None of them have this marker…and none of them are daywalkers.”

Napoleon’s face grew mottled. “I know they aren’t, you fuckwit. Don’t you think I’ve tested every—” Napoleon shut his mouth and snatched the readout from Izzo’s hand. “Are you saying this hazy little bit of nothing on this paper is the reason Archer can walk in the sun?”

“Well, it’s only a hypothesis at the moment. I’d have to test more daywalkers to see if their results would match hers.”

“Can it be replicated?”

“Can what be replicated, sir?”

“The disease, you fucking moron.”

“Replicate the Black Death? Are you out of your mind?”

The only thing out was Napoleon’s dagger, and freed from the sheath on his belt, it found its way into Izzo’s chest. Sinking it to the hilt, Napoleon twisted it this way and that until all that was left of Uriah Izzo’s heart was a bloody pâté.

Napoleon wasted no time in wiping the blade on Izzo’s lab coat before the man dissolved into a pile of dust on the floor. He cleared his throat, taking his time while he looked from the DNA printout to the last scientist standing. “Well, my good man, would you care to answer my question, or should I call for a dustpan? If memory serves, I have eight scientists at my disposal, and I will dispose of every fucking one of you until I get a bloody answer.”

“Um…well…uh…plagues aren’t my expertise, sir, so I don’t believe I can truly and honestly answer that question until I do more research. I can tell you that the bubonic plague still exists today; however, that particular strain,” he said, tapping the paper Napoleon was holding. “Well, that one was the mother of all of them.”

“Meaning?”