Leonora

The sun had a while before it rose, but I couldn't sit on my hands any longer. I had to get to work. I fed Speranza while Falcon slept by my side. Once I finished, I settled her in her cradle and dressed for the day and kissed Falcon goodbye. Since I just fed the baby and I was going to take another pint of blood from myself, I made my way to the kitchen to fill up on iron and protein-rich foods.

To my surprise, Mary was already there with a cup of coffee in her hands. "Good morning, Leonora," she greeted me.

"I hope it's a great morning,” I answered back. The thrill of having the key in my hands.

"Same here. I hope I'm not going to bother you while you work."

"Not at all. Draco will be on his way back soon with more samples to test. If the sample converts and survives the sun, we can do a live trial. Only if you're ready."

"Ready? Leonora, I have been waiting for this. Nearly my entire life. All the vampires are this way because I refused a sorcerer."

"You know that none of the blame is on you. None of it."

"Only the blame I feel myself. I cannot bring back my husband or son, but I will do what I can to help."

"I know. I won’t pass up an opportunity for help.”

Mary hovered over me the entire first hour. Then I made her useful by giving her something to do. Draco returned with 20 samples. He had each person label their samples. "Nora, we need to be fast about this. I know you have a lot at stake, but with Speranza's birth the men are getting antsy."

"I understand, Draco. They expected that the war would be over with her birth, but it said we'd bring the war to an end not when."

"Yes, but seeing the need for vials of blood, they became curious and extremely hopeful."

"Oh heavens. I hope we can go rescue Vigo and his family before the cure is out. Stavros will kill them if he finds out."

"I believe that Falcon plans to go tonight,” Draco let slip. Falcon failed to mention that to me. Suddenly, I was pissed off. In anger, I squeezed the vial in my hand breaking it. "Shit." I cut my hand.  

"Damn, sorry, Leonora. I didn't mean to piss you off.” He rushed around to help me, but the cut was small and mixed with Dante’s vial. That was a waste.

“Nora, what are you doing?”

“This is Dante’s blood. I’m not going to waste this opportunity.” I stuck my hand in the little-windowed hole and waited. I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. No more than any other time I was out in the sun. I didn’t feel the blood turn to dust on my skin, so I kept my hand out there a little longer.

Pulling it back, we all gasped. “It works,” Mary cried. The blood on my hand started to dry as regular blood would in the sun. We all started screaming with joy. Falcon came rushing to the room, startling us.

“What the hell happened to you? Are you okay?” he roared, frantically looking over my body. Extremely furious with him, I punched him in the chest. He blanched and took a step back.

“You’re what’s wrong with me. But first, we’re celebrating. Most of this blood is Dante’s.”

“You put it in the sun?” he asked, his eyes staring at the blood on my hand then back at me.

“Yes, and it worked.” He smiled wider than I’d ever seen, then wrapped his strong arms around my waist and spun me around the room. “Put me down, you big dummy.”

“As soon as you tell me why you’re mad,” he demanded, holding me tight to his body with my legs dangling in the air.

I scowled at him and let him know how mad I was. “You were going to rescue Vigo without telling me.”

He slid me down his body without letting me go, he said, “I was going to tell you. I only told Draco last night and I didn’t want to disturb your sleep since you had very important work in the lab.”

“I suppose that I’m staying here, right?” I asked, eyeing him crossly.

“Yes, that would be correct,” he answered, bending down and stealing a kiss. I accepted it, but then shoved him away with a little more force than necessary.

“No don’t try to get away without telling me more. I’m not buying it, mister. You think kissing me is going to get you out of telling me what’s going on you’re wrong.” Even with the success of the bloodwork, the urge to snap on Falcon grew.

I caught the saddened and concern expression on my mate’s face. “Nora, what’s wrong with you? You’re a bit emotional this morning. I just wanted to kiss my wife like I always do. I have no intention of keeping it a secret.” He brushed his hand along my jaw. I turned my head to feel his warmth.

I regretted my behavior immediately. “I’m sorry, Falcon. I’m moody this morning and I’m not sure why.”

"You're probably stressed, my love,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms. Goodness, the overwhelming need to be held controlled my whole being.

His mouth came down on mine for a brief kiss. I pulled back, then sighed, "Probably so, but that's not going to stop soon."

"No, I'm sure it won't."

"While I get cleaned up, please tell me about this plan of yours."

"Draco has done some added intel around the moorlands and we have been able to narrow it down the number of soldiers guarding the complex. Unfortunately, I am going to need Gideon for this. I've decided to send you to the wolves until we return. They are the only ones I feel we can trust. I don’t want to leave you here with the Holdens. They are still considered the enemy."

"That's fine. Have the wolves been made aware of it?"

"They will, but I refuse to risk an advanced notice."

I nodded in acceptance of his plan. I had a feeling that things would be coming to a head very soon. Falcon seemed determined to end this and I could feel his power emanating from him. I stepped away to wash the blood off my hands. I hadn't been surprised at the results, only amazed at my attitude. I had a strange feeling that there was a true reason for my temper. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed in his arms. "That’s it, my love. Let that stress out."

"Falcon, I'm hungry,” I muttered as he pulled me back into his arms.

"Do you want to eat and work, or would you like to eat then come back."

“Mary wants more results, right?” She blushed because we all know this means more to her than us.

“I can eat and work. It’s not a big deal. Make sure you get food for our guests down there.”  

“Yes, Mrs. Lombardi,” he whispered against my neck. God, this wasn’t the time or the place for it.

"Can you get me a Philly cheesesteak?"

"Sure. I'll pick up food for everyone.”

I waved him off and headed back to the microscope. I swear we could have the cure by tomorrow.