“How much do you need?”I ask and walk up behind her chair.If he wants too much this won’t happen.
“A vial for each clan,” Fraser says, “and there are five, you won’t notice it, Maisey.No more than a trip to the doctor for a health check.”
She looks at Elias and then me.“What do you think?”
“It’s your choice.”My heart is clattering.She holds the key to our survival.No wonder we were so drawn to her.Our instincts were raging, shouting at us to go to her, to take her, to kill anyone who even looked at her the wrong way.
“Elias?”she asks.
“I only want what’s best for you.As Branson says, it’s your choice.”
“What’s best for me is to finally be connected, in some way, any way, to a blood relative.”She takes the pin from Fraser and pricks the tip of her index finger.“And to help those who have helped me.The shifters of New York City.”
A ruby drip grows on her flesh and glistens beneath the overhead light.“Fraser,” she says and holds out her finger.
“You’re sure?”he asks.
“I’ve never been surer.You go first.”
It was a smart move of her.Make the guy who suggested it take the first sip.
“Thank you.”He holds her wrist, pokes out his tongue, and takes the drop into his mouth.There’s no hesitation, no qualms about doing it.That makes me feel better.
“Elias.”She squeezes her finger and then offers the drip to him.
Elias takes it, his eye contact not wavering from hers.
She smiles then turns to me, a fresh drip ready.
“This is a lot for you to take onboard,” I say.
“And a lot for you too.”
She half smiles and I know she’s not just talking about moon fever and her blood.She’s talking about the fact I desire her, a woman, for the first time, and that our exploration of each other is only just beginning.
“Take it.”She pokes her finger at me.
I close my eyes and take it deep into my mouth.Tasting not just the copper of blood but her, the very essence of her femaleness that’s calling to me like some kind of impossibly sexy siren.
“Good,” she says and touches my cheek with her free hand.“You are all vaccinated.Now where do I go to give my blood?”
“To the panther den,” I say with a frown.“There is no argument about that.”
“Why?”Fraser asks.“Why with you?”
“Because I can protect her as well as Elias, and you know full well one of our shifters is also a doctor.He can take the blood and organize distribution.”
“Nikoli.”Fraser nods.“Yes, I know of him.”
“You do?”Elias asks.
“My friend.”Fraser leans toward Elias.“When you were alpha you kept the wolves distant from other clans, resisted sharing knowledge, and avoided integration, it was not on your agenda to be as one with them.”
Elias stiffens.
“But that is something I want to change going forward.Together we are stronger.”He looks at me.
I swallow tightly.
