CHAPTER THREE
Vivi glanced up to see if she embarrassed her mate. He winked at her and calmly continued to sip his wine while drawing figure eights on the back of her neck. Did he have any idea the effect he was having on her? She looked back over to him and saw a self-satisfied smile. Yup, he did.
As they ate their dinner Ellie went over the timeline she established from the moment she was called, with Rheia adding bits and pieces from her perspective after her arrival a few days ago.
"So you're saying you didn't see evidence of a possible virus at all until Clara's passing?" Vivi asked.
Ellie nodded solemnly. "Her heart defect is the only reason we were able to see anything at all."
"Shifters do heal quickly," Vivi swiped through the notes on the iPad that the squire Ryuu handed her. In it, were observances from nearly everyone involved. "Whoever put the notes in a group share was a genius."
Meryn nodded. "I know."
"Maybe when you grow up you can go into computer work," Vivi said without looking up. She knew full well that the little imp was an adult, but her smirk was practically begging for teasing. Vivi had to fight a smile when she heard an indignant gasp.
"I am grown up!" Meryn insisted.
Vivi just smiled at her indulgently and ignored her protest. She turned to Ellie. "I know you must have had a long day," she glanced over at her mate and sighed. "And the gods themselves know how much I'd like to retire with my mate, but I really would like to get to the lab tonight."
Ellie chuckled. "We'll make it quick."
"I won't," Vivi murmured.
Across the table, Declan laughed. "I can't wait to see her ruffle Etain's feathers. He's always so calm and proper."
The brunette at his side smacked his arm. "Leave them be Declan."
Declan nuzzled his mate. "But Kari, I am happy for my brother. I have to torture him to show him I care."
Kari shook her head and sent her a sympathetic look. "The boys think they are clever sometimes. It comes and goes."
"Ahh. Good to know," Vivi said playing along.
Declan frowned. "I am always clever."
Kari patted him on the arm. "Yes, dear."
Vivi turned to Hal. "Are you okay settling in here?"
"That depends. You are coming back here tonight aren't you?" her squire asked raising an eyebrow.
Behind her Etain leaned in closer. "We'll both be sleeping here tonight. I believe that it is imperative for Vivian stay on this level to work in the lab and I, as her mate, of course will be with her." Hal glared at her mate.
"Don't worry Etain, the twins soundproofed the new guest quarters so you can get your freaky deak on without worrying that the red giant will kill you in your sleep," Meryn announced grinning.
Vivi looked over and met Meryn's eyes. The little midget had gotten her back for the 'being grown' comment. Meryn stuck out her tongue.
Hal heaved a great sigh. "I suppose he can stay with us."
Vivi felt a moment of unease. Her squire sounded like he was saying goodbye. When he looked at her his eyebrows shot up. "What's the matter my little love?"
"I've dated before now, why would meeting my mate be any different?"
Hal waved his hand about. "They were, how would you describe them? Temporary? An amusement?"
"A fuckboy?" Meryn volunteered.
Hal nodded. "I like that term." He looked back at her. "I knew they would come, then go. No pun intended." She gave him a flat look, and he continued. "Etain will stay. You won't need me anymore."
Vivi felt her mouth drop open as her eyes immediately filled with tears. Without thought to decorum, she launched herself at the man who raised her and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I will always need you!" She buried her face against his chest. She looked up as tears trailed down her cheeks. "Am I not your little girl anymore?"
Hal settled her on his lap as he had done a million times before in the past. To him, it didn't matter if she was five or seven-hundred and five. "You will always be my little girl, no matter what. However, you have a mate to tend to you now."
Vivi looked over her shoulder at her mate who watched them patiently. There was no censure or anger in his gaze, only acceptance. She begged him with her eyes. "He's my only family. He is both mother and father to me. I can't lose him."
Etain moved over into her chair and rubbed her back. "Who said anything about him leaving? He is also your squire is he not? I don't know about you, but I'm not the best when it comes to being domestic. I pay a nice motherly citizen from Level Five to clean my home once a week and to do my laundry. I either eat with the men on the Unit Level or grab something from Level Six. If anything, Hal is needed now more than ever." He paused before his face lit up with a huge smile. "Especially if we have children right away as seems to be the pattern lately."
Vivi held her breath as Hal's muscles tensed under her hands. She looked up at her squire, and he stared down at her mirroring the shock she felt. Suddenly, he was grinning from ear to ear. "A baby?" Gently he passed her over to her mate. He was still smiling like an idiot when he poured himself a half a glass of the whiskey that the prince had gifted him. He raised the glass to the ceiling. "May the gods be willing." He shot back the liquid and laughed.
Vivi looked up at her mate with a sour expression. "You seduced my squire."
Etain shrugged a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It seems that he and I agree on something."
She sniffled suddenly feeling embarrassed. When she looked around the table all she found were varying degrees of affection and understanding.
"Sorry about that display," she said ducking her face against Etain's chest.
"Nothing to be sorry for at all my dear. Your world has just changed significantly. If we can help in any small way, it would be a privilege. There is nothing as sacred as the bond between a girl and her loved ones," the prince said smiling at his niece with nothing but affection shining from his eyes. He nodded at Hal. "And nothing more anticipated than a grandchild or grandniece."
Beth smiled. "It could be a grandnephew."
Prince Magnus shook his head. "I do believe your child will be the most perfect little girl, just as you were."
Beth blushed. "Oh, Unky."
Sebastian set a huge slice of cake in front of Hal. "When the time comes, I can show you all the places I ordered from for our Bethy. The things they have for babies now! I could spend all day looking at things online." He sighed happily before leaning down. "Personally, I like the baby duck theme."
Hal chuckled. "I need to order some fabrics right away to get started on baby clothes."
Across the table, Meryn began to choke on her pudding. Immediately Aiden and Ryuu were at her side gently pounding on her back. Looking up she stared at the huge squire. "You make baby clothes?"
Hal nodded and jerked his head toward Vivi. "Granted not for a long time now, but yes, I do sew."
Meryn's eyes were wide. "I know she said squire, but I was thinking more like bodyguard."
Hal rubbed a hand over his bushy, red beard. "I do that too."
Meryn's face contorted. "So you're like a Viking Martha Stewart?"
"Meryn!" Aiden exclaimed.
Hal burst out laughing. "That sums it up nicely. But Meryn, most squires cook, clean, sew and act as a bodyguard. Does yours do any differently?"
"No, but he doesn't look like he eats trucks either," Meryn answered.
"Not in this form at least," Ryuu murmured under his breath as he set a fresh bowl of pudding before his charge.
Vivi relaxed against her mate as her squire laughed uproariously. She could tell that he was taken with the tiny, blunt human. She was glad to see that the doubt and fear were gone from his eyes, replaced with love and hope. With a few simple sentences, her mate helped her only family smile again.
"Thank you," she whispered into his ear. His arms tightened around her. "There is nothing I would not do for you," He kissed her temple and held her close.
"Vivi, whenever you're ready, we can head to the lab. I'm anxious to see what you make of the magic." Ellie said smiling.
"Magic?" Vivi frowned.
Ellie grimaced. "Using a of process of elimination we ruled out a bacterial infection leaving us with a virus as the culprit. That was pretty standard. But what makes this whole thing even trickier is that there is magic in the virus. The only reason we could see the virus at all, even using Clara's blood, was due to the sparkling light the particles of whatever spell was used were emitting. I may have missed it altogether otherwise."
"Now's good. Though, I don't have much experience with magic." Vivi stood and cracked her back. If there was magic in the virus she needed to get started right away.
Around the table, Ellie, Rheia and Kendrick also stood. Kendrick kissed his mate before walking over to the door and opening it for them. "That is where I come in. After you ladies."
Vivi looked down at her mate and blushed. "I guess I will see you later?"
He nodded. "I will be in your quarters getting to know your father figure better. He is family now."
"I'll bring the whiskey," Hal offered gruffly.
Vivi looked between the two men of her life. "Have fun." She walked around the table to join Kendrick by the door.
Rheia kissed Colton before snagging a couple of cookies while Ellie kissed both her mate and son. "Don't wait up for me. I'll be along as soon as we're done."
Grant nuzzled the side of Ellie's neck. "Call me when you're ready to come home. I'll come down to meet you."
Ellie kissed him. "I'm sure Emeric can escort me. It is kinda his job."
Grant grumbled under his breath. "Fine, but if anything happens, I won't be happy."
Vivi looked between the two. "What could possibly happen?"
Ellie blushed. "So telling you about the virus was part one of my story." She looped her arms with Vivi's. "As we walk to the lab I'll tell you part two."
"Walk slow so I can eat my cookies," Rheia said.
Ellie nodded.
When they reached a long hallway Ellie smiled up at her. "So there may have been a few murders and attempted murders I forgot to mention."
Vivi stopped in the middle of the hall. "What?"
*****
Etain waited until Hal had another drink before telling him about the recent murders and the current security concerns.
The large man stood and began to pace from one side of the room to the other before turning to look at him. "You mean to tell me there's a feral on the loose that can mask its scent due to a necklace made from the souls of poor murdered unborn babes, and both Kari and Ellie were almost killed?"
Etain grimaced and nodded. "In addition to that, we believe the virus was engineered adding a new level of sophistication to the ferals arsenal."
Hal reached for the bottle and poured himself another drink. "I knew we shouldn't have come here. This city has always been nothing but a cesspool of corruption and death." He took another drink. "No wonder the prince looks haggard. The city is about to implode." He looked at Etain. "Where are the Elders?"
Etain stared into his own glass. "They had just moved back to the city when things started to get bad. Prince Magnus practically had to order them back to the City Estate to keep them safe. Declan still hasn't convinced his brother to leave as of yet. I personally doubt he will, as Kari is with child. She carries the next generation of the Lionhart line. Rex would sooner chop off his legs than leave her here."
"Why not evacuate the women?" Hal suggested.
Etain raised a brow. "Have you met them?"
Hal chuckled. "Stubborn, intelligent, strong and feisty. Just like my Vivi."
Etain smiled. "She is amazing. You did a wonderful job raising her."
Hal puffed out his chest proudly. "She is pretty wonderful isn't she?"
Etain set his glass down. "So, do you feel like telling me how a bear shifting squire ended up with a baby girl vampire?"
The scruffy squire eased into one of the recliners. "She'll tell you when she's ready. It's her story and hers alone."
"I'm her mate," Etain pointed out.
"Exactly. And when she's ready to talk about it, she'll let you know. You'll not get a word from me." Hal shook his head.
"Can you at least tell me that nothing from her past can hurt her? That there is nothing I need to prepare for?"
Hal turned his attention to his glass. "Like I said, it's her story to tell."
Etain collapsed back in his chair. "Marvelous, just what we need. More complications."
Hal shrugged. "Life is full of em." He turned to him a sly grin on his face. "You know, she started her fertile cycle last week."
Etain inhaled just as he was taking another sip and ended up choking on the whiskey. He set the glass down quickly and pounded on his chest. When he looked up Hal was grinning broadly at him. "So, a girl or a boy? Personally, I'd like one of each to keep me busy. It's been too long since Vivi was a baby, and I miss taking care of a little one."
With a shaking hand Etain downed his drink and reached for more causing Hal to laugh. As his glass was refilled his mind wandered to that childbirth video their commander had shown them. He had been joking when he suggested a child, now that it seemed to be an actual possibility, he was scared out of his mind.
Hal clinked their glasses together. "It's the will of the gods."
Etain nodded. "I'll drink to that."
*****
"So why does a scientist have a squire?" Kendrick inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Vivi shrugged. "They're useful. I may have starved otherwise." She looked down to read over the lab notes Ellie handed her. She turned to her friend. "Ellie, could I see the samples?" she asked, ignoring Kendrick's pointed gaze.
Ellie indicated to the counter where Rheia was finishing up the microscope set up. "She's just about done."
Vivi walked over to the long counter. Rheia moved to one side, and she stepped in front of the microscope. Vivi looked down and frowned. Using the dials she moved it left and right before adjusting the magnification. She looked up. "Are you sure this slide contained a sample?"
Ellie walked over. "Of course I'm sure! I labeled them myself." Vivi stepped aside as Ellie stood in front of the microscope and looked through the eyepiece doing exactly what Vivi had just done. She moved the slide about for a minute before turning to Kendrick, a panicked look on her face. "It's gone!"
Swearing in different languages Kendrick stalked over and took Ellie's place at the microscope. He peered through the eyepiece before straightening. Frowning fiercely he looked at them. "The magic is gone as well."
He pulled the slide from the metal clasps. Under his breath he recited a spell making the slide glow for a moment. With his eyebrows knit together he looked at them. "The slide hasn't been tampered with. There's no evidence it was wiped clean or sanitized."
"Some viruses cannot live outside the human body for long. They need the environment the body provides," Vivi suggested.
Kendrick shook his head. "If that were the case the organic part of the virus may die but some trace of magic should be left no matter how minute." He pulled his walkie talkie from his belt. "Frick, Frack, I need you down in the lab."
A few moments passed before a voice answered. "Be right down, just have to save our game."
Kendrick sighed. "Just hurry." He re-clipped the walkie-talkie to his belt. "Gods they make me feel old."
"You adore them and don't try to tell me any different," Rheia said teasingly.
Kendrick shrugged. "They look too much like Keelan for me not to adore them." He chuckled. "And I've been watching over them since they were children. They were so damn adorable at times I couldn't tell them no, when I should have."
"Like when?" Vivi asked curious.
"Like when I was working on dangerous spells, I almost blew them up a time or two. It's why they remember me bellowing at them a lot. I was scared to death that I would accidentally break them down to a molecular level."
A few minutes later two, tall red-headed men practically fell through the door. Breathing heavily they immediately went to Kendrick. "What's up?" one asked.
Kendrick pointed to her. "This is Dr. Vivian Mercy, she has come to Noctem Falls with her squire Halbjorn Bergson to help Ellie with the sickness. Vivian, these two rapscallions are Nigel and Neil Morninglory, technically they are unit warriors, but they need a bit of polishing." They grinned at her looking very young indeed. She waved, and they waved back. Kendrick cleared his throat. "She discovered that the virus is no longer visible, so I'd like for the two of you to amp up your magic as much as you can and pass it through me like last time," he paused. "I see no trace magic either."
The boys' eyes widened and without being asked twice lay one hand each on Kendrick's arms as he stood in front of the microscope.
Kendrick frowned at their hesitation. "Well?"
The one introduced as Neil gulped. "All of our power? Are you sure?"
Kendrick chuckled. "Yes, I'm sure. I can handle whatever you two can produce."
Nigel's eyes lit up. "Wicked!" He turned to his brother. "We never get to play with all of our magic," he said excitedly. Neil nodded then the two of them closed their eyes. Moments later, Kendrick exhaled slowly through his nose as both of his arms began to glow an emerald-green color. He cracked his neck and leaned over to look through the eyepiece. Cursing he stepped back and the boys moved their hands. He turned to them. "There isn't the slightest trace of magic now." He rubbed his arms where the boys ran their magic through him. Scowling he looked from one twin to the other. "I'm adding more lessons to your daily schedule." He let his hands drop. "Where have you two been hiding that much power?"
Nigel and Neil grinned at him before Neil answered. "You taught us."
Kendrick's mouth dropped. "I most certainly did not."
Nigel nodded. "Yes you did. Remember in Storm Keep we were asking you how to pass the warrior test like the others, so we didn't score too high so that they would keep us? We started doing it then."
Kendrick's eyes bulged. "You were only supposed to do that for the damn test! Not all the time!"
The boys paled. "Oh," they whispered.
"Oh? Oh?" Kendrick threw his hands up. "Do you have any idea what could've happened if you lost control of that much power?" He walked away keeping his back to the room.
The boys let their heads hang. "We're sorry. We didn't think about the damage we could do to the city," Neil confessed.
Vivi knew that was the wrong thing to say when Kendrick whirled around and stalked over to the boys. She thought he was going to lay into them when suddenly he pulled them into a fierce hug. "To hell with the city! The two of you could have died! Gods above! That much power could have burned you up." He gave them one final squeeze then stepped back. "No more hiding your power. You're to work directly with me for as long as I'm here, and if I have my way I will strong-arm Magnus into letting you return with Meryn and me to Lycaonia."
The boys had been reduced to tears that they kept trying to manfully wipe away. They looked up at Kendrick, hope a living thing in their eyes. "We could go home with you?" Nigel whispered.
Kendrick nodded. "Absolutely. I'm not leaving you here to languish while being used to clean refuse tubes." His eyes narrowed when the boy's heads turned in opposite directions to look at anything but him. "Boys? You did check on the refuse tubes today, didn't you?"
They looked down and scuffed their feet. Neil looked up. "We meant to, but well." He exchanged shudders with his twin. "It's nasty."
Kendrick's eyes rolled toward the ceiling before he pinned the boys with a glare. "That's why they are called refuse tubes. Tomorrow morning, no later."
Their heads bobbed. "We will."
Kendrick pointed at the door. "Go directly to bed and tomorrow a full breakfast. After using that much power your bodies will soon be feeling the effects. Make sure you're in bed before it hits."
They beamed at him. "Yes, sir!" They ran out of the room much in the same manner they had entered it, recklessly.
Once the door shut, Kendrick pulled out a stool, sat down and resumed rubbing his arms. "How in the hell did they go unnoticed?"
Rheia walked over looking concerned. "Are you well?"
Kendrick nodded and sighed. "I'm angry at myself for not seeing their abilities sooner. When I think of what could have happened." He scrubbed his hands over his face.
Rheia lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You're not a god Kendrick, no matter how much you like to act like one." When he looked up, she winked at him, and he relaxed.
"What do we do now?" Ellie asked in a small voice. "Seeing the virus was the only ray of light from Clara's death." She wiped at her eyes.
Vivi wrapped an arm around her. "You're forgetting my other specialty, hematology. I have been studying blood for as long as microscopes have been around."
Ellie looked confused. "What good will studying their blood do if we can't see the virus to work on a cure?"
"I didn't just study human blood to improve it for my people. I also studied using vampire blood as a healing agent for others," Vivi informed her.
Rheia frowned. "We thought of using vampire blood, but we decided against because of the bonding that would occur."
Vivi looked at the human doctor. "What if you could use vampire blood without worrying about the patient bonding with the vampire donor?"
Rheia stared. "Then we could cure just about anything." Her eyes widened. "That's what you've been working on?"
Vivi nodded. "I have been very secretive about the procedure since it's still being tested among humans, but yes, I believe I have found a combination of science and magic that may work."
"I thought you said you didn't have much experience with magic," Kendrick pointed out.
Vivi shrugged. "I personally don't, not really. What I use as part of my procedure was created by a witch years ago. I use it in the same manner as I would use a microscope or centrifuge."
"What exactly are you talking about?" Kendrick asked.
"It's a flat stone the size of dinner plate that was bespelled to sever bonds. In the wrong hands, it could be placed under a bottle of wine to break up a marriage or under a coffee carafe to destroy friendships. I use a combination of three different strains of vampire blood, then set the bag of blood on the stone before infusion. It can take eight to twelve hours. The time varies depending on the age of the blood. By using different donors and the stone, so far, it has prevented a bond from forming in trials," she explained.
"Trials?" Rheia asked. "Wait, you've been using this on humans?"
Vivi nodded and smiled at Ellie. "Like my friend, I have a soft spot for children. I have a small network of vampire donors who work with me to treat childhood cancer patients. The vampires have to be willing to move to the child's town for the first year of treatment in case a bond does form. If a bond forms, those vampires will stay close to the child for the rest of their lives."
"Good gods," Ellie whispered.
Vivi nodded. "Now you see why progress has been so slow. In the beginning before I figured out that using more than one strain of blood helped, we had two cases where the patient formed a bond." She chuckled at the memory. "Fate has a wonderful sense of humor because in both instances, the little girls ended up being mates to one of the donors, so they, in essence, saved their own mates."
Rheia smiled. "That's amazing. Have you had any cases of bonding since?"
Vivi shook her head. "No. After the second case, we started using multiple donors and the bonding stone. So far, we have cured an additional eight patients without a single bond forming." She turned to look at the microscope. "Though, I have no idea what parameters should be used with shifter patients."
"It's something," Ellie began bouncing on her feet excitedly. "We've had to space out the antivirals because they are losing their effectiveness. This could be the breakthrough we need." She laughed. "If this works, we won't even need to see the virus. The vampire blood will give the shifters the boost they need to cure them altogether."
Kendrick stood. "I think that we need to work and save as many lives as possible," he paused. "That being said, I also think we need to identify this virus and trace it back to its source." He looked around. "If the ferals, or reapers, or whoever is out there now working against us, can cook up this virus, they can make more. I'd rather kill them all and destroy any trace of their methodology before more death and chaos can spread."
Rheia chuckled at Ellie's shocked expression. She turned to Kendrick. "We'll leave the magic, killing and destruction to you. We'll work on keeping people alive," she said in a sardonic tone.
Kendrick shrugged a shoulder. "We all have our strengths."
Ellie turned to Vivi. "What do you need to get started?"
"You're lucky I don't go anywhere without that stone. It's the one component that would be almost impossible to replace." She looked around. "If you can find me three different vampires to donate, I can start tonight. I just need a flat surface in a refrigerated unit for the bags of blood to sit on. Preferably, the plate and the blood will be the only items in the unit."
Ellie turned to Kendrick. "Can you call some warriors down? Rheia and I can clear out one of the smaller refrigeration units we have."
Kendrick gave them an evil grin. "I'd love to." He unclipped the walkie-talkie again. "Tree Beard, come in."
Whoever Tree Beard was, he took longer than the twins to respond. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" A surly voice responded.
"I need you, Godard and Viktor to report to the lab as soon as possible," Kendrick ordered.
"Bloody fucking hell."
"Careful, women are present," Kendrick barked. He gave them a shit-eating grin that belied his anger.
"My apologies. We will be right down."
Kendrick was humming as he reattached the walkie-talkie.
Vivi stared. "Why did you derive so much pleasure from torturing him?"
Kendrick just gave her a sly smile. "Godard and Dimitri were in charge of Nigel and Neil before I got here. From what I heard they let the twins practically overdose on cookies then used them to create the hospital. Turnabout is fair play."
Vivi couldn't argue with that. "Good for you." She started looking around the lab until she saw a familiar silver and red case with her tags on it. Her lab equipment arrived before she did. She walked over and using her thumb, she unlocked the case. "What the hell?" Kendrick exclaimed leaning away from the case." Carefully she lifted the stone from its custom-made foam insert.
"May I?" Kendrick asked. He held out his hand.
She gently set it down on his palm. He swallowed hard looking a bit ill. Frowning he turned the innocuous gray stone over in his hands before passing it back to her. "Nasty piece of magic that. Who did you say created it for you?"
"I didn't." She held up a hand when he went to continue his questioning.
"Don't bother grilling me, I have no idea who it was. It was literally a back-alley transaction at the turn of the century. I never even saw their face."
"Damn," he muttered.
"Look at it this way, we know that this stone is used to help and heal people, not harm anyone," she pointed out.
"True," he said and straightened when a knock sounded at the door. Ellie was walking over to open it when Emeric moved between her and the door. "Why don't you let me open that chér?" He blew her a kiss and went to the door. "Who is it?"
"Godard, Dimitri and Viktor here to see Kendrick Ashwood," a male voice answered. Emeric opened the door and let the three warriors enter.
Vivi stared at the tall silver-haired warrior, when he smiled at her, she noticed he had violet eyes. "Are those contacts?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No, they run in the family." He looked her up and down. "It is rare to see red hair that deep on a vampire. You are a true beauty." His words were polite, but his eyes were flirting.
Kendrick cleared his throat from where he sat on his stool. "Dr. Vivian Mercy, this is Godard Kipling, Kappa's unit leader. The pretty boy with the freaky eyes is Viktor BelleRose, Iota's unit leader and Dimitri Romanov, Theta's unit leader. Gentlemen, this is Vivian Mercy, Etain Vi'Aerlin's mate." Kendrick stressed the word mate.
Viktor's eyes widened and he involuntarily stepped back. "My apologies doctor, I had no idea you had found your mate."
She smiled. "It's no problem."
Kendrick snorted. "Maybe for you, but I bet Etain would find it interesting to know that Viktor found his mate to be a rare beauty."
Viktor swallowed hard. "I do not see any reason to share that little piece of information with him."
Vivi laughed. "Etain is gentle and kind. I know he won't hold it against you."
Viktor, Dimitri and Godard stared before Dimitri shook his head. "Gentle and kind with you of course, you are his mate. However, he is one of the fiercest warriors the fae have ever produced. I would rather face down raging, bloodied berserkers than your mate when angered," he admitted.
"Etain? My Etain? You must be wrong." Vivi shook her head.
Godard chuckled. "He is not the fae warrior for the ranking unit in the city for no reason. His polite and detached fighting style is haunting."
Dimitri turned to Kendrick. "Why exactly are we here, besides to get Viktor killed?"
"I need your blood," Kendrick said simply.
At once, the three warriors began to scowl. Viktor shook his head. "Vampire blood is nothing to be played with, especially mine. Being of a Founding Family our blood is potent and in the wrong hands, can be used against us."
Ellie stepped in front of the three men. Her eyes were wide and tear filled. "Oh please! We can use it to save the children. I swear to you that it will be treated with the reverence and respect it deserves."
Immediately they began rolling up their sleeves. Godard glared at Kendrick. "Why did you not just say it was for the children?"
"It was more fun my way," Kendrick admitted.
Ellie, Rheia and Vivi collected close to a pint of blood from each vampire. Vivi eyed their donations. "This should get us started." She placed the blood on the plate and set it in the refrigerator Ellie and Rheia cleared.
"Do we want to know?" Dimitri asked.
Kendrick shook his head. "Honestly? Probably not, stay dumb and happy."
Viktor gave Kendrick a dirty look. "Are you always like this or do you have something against vampires?"
Kendrick thought about it a moment. "No, I'm pretty much always like this, no offense," he smiled at them brightly. The warriors scowled at his flippant response.
Godard eyed Kendrick. "Since you are a member of the Alpha Unit, maybe you should come train with us tomorrow. That is, if your soft archivist hands can stand getting a little dirty," he teased.
Kendrick gave him an evil smile and rose to his full height. He stood nearly half a foot over them. "You will find that I am not as easy to manipulate as a certain pair of innocent witches. I look forward to seeing you first thing in the morning."
Godard's eyes widened. "Gods you are as tall as Warrick! I did not know witches could grow that big." His eyes narrowed. "It is not magic is it?"
Kendrick laughed. "No, I don't need it," he bragged.
Dimitri was chuckling as he dragged his friend toward the door. "Well it was nice knowing you Godard. Let us go fill out your will."
"I wonder whether Adriel will let me run both Iota and Kappa," Viktor teased.
Dimitri snorted. "I do not know why you think you are in the clear. I have a feeling our tall witch friend here will ensure that Etain is at morning drills. I am certain Etain will have much to discuss with you for flirting with his mate."
Viktor paled and trudged behind his friends. When the door shut Kendrick was smirking. "Did you see their faces?"
Ellie looked worried. "Will you really hurt him? All of the warriors have been so wonderful with the children," she fretted.
Kendrick leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Your kindness shines out in front of you like a beacon." He sighed. "No, I won't kill them...much. Just impress upon them what it feels like to be at a disadvantage. The twins have assured me that no one here has been cruel, but some of the friendly big brother treatment of them gets my back up."
Rheia sighed. "That's because you spoil them. Don't hold that against the other warriors."
Kendrick sniffed and stuck his nose in the air dramatically. "I can and I will." He turned to Vivi. "I may not kill them, but that may not hold true for Etain."
Vivi winked at him. "Who's to say Etain will even be able to walk in the morning?"
"Vivi!" Ellie exclaimed blushing.
Rheia bumped her shoulder. "Good point."
Vivi looked around the lab. "Speaking of mates, it's about time I go and claim mine."
She had been waiting her entire life to find her mate. Now that she had found him, she was going to tie him to her in every way possible.
*****
Vivi stared down at her mate. He was lying half on and half off the bed, pants on, and his shirt wrapped around his head. She was shocked he hadn't suffocated. The entire suite reeked of whiskey.
"Dammit Hal!" she muttered. "This wasn't why I wanted him to be unable to walk in the morning," she griped.
She should have known she was going to find her mate like this when she passed her squire out cold on the floor next to the coffee table in the family room snoring like a freight train.
She struggled to remove Etain's boots. "At least they weren't kidding about the soundproofing otherwise Hal would keep me up all night." The second boot flew off with the third tug, and she landed on her tailbone. "Sonofabitch!"
She lifted his feet up onto the bed and made sure he was lying straight with no limbs contorted at weird angles. She stared and then smiled. "Maybe I should take off his clothes. I mean, to get comfortable." Vivi said out loud to convince herself.
It took her another fifteen minutes to work him out of his clothes, but the effort was worth it. Lying in only his boxer briefs she could stare at his body all she wanted.
She was going to remove his boxers, but decided against it. It would be like opening a Christmas gift early. She tilted her head and sighed. Her mate was absolutely, freaking perfect.
Like most fae his skin was a honeyed golden color. His white-blond hair contrasted against the warm tones of his skin. He wasn't bulky but everywhere she looked seemed to be taut skin pulled over toned muscles. Her mouth was literally watering at the thought of licking his neck and drinking from him.
She pulled up the expensive duvet and covered him gently. Shaking her head at her own misfortune she decided against a shower. What was the point? She hadn't done anything to get dirty and there would obviously be no claiming tonight.
She stripped out of her clothes down to her panties and put her undershirt back on. After everything she had been told today concerning the virus, she was simply tired and didn't feel like unpacking. She turned off the light and climbed into bed next to her mate.
To her surprise, he flipped over on to his side and pulled her into the curve of his body. When he buried his nose against her neck and sighed happily she found she couldn't stay mad at him. Closing her eyes she enjoyed being warm for the first time, in a long time.