“Well…yes,”Severinadmitted.
She arched an eyebrow at him.
“Whatkindof samples?”
Severin hesitated…she wasn’t going to like this.
Her eyes narrowed to slits.
“Oh no.No,Iknow that face.Thatis your awkward science face.”
“I donothave an awkward science face,” he said, with as much dignity as he could muster.
“You absolutelydo.”Cassandrapoked a finger at him.
Ravik rumbled,
“Sev has many science faces.”
Severin shot his best friend a glare.Ravikreally was coming back to himself it he was sharp enough join in here.TheBeastKindredlooked pleased with himself, which was another encouraging sign of cognitive improvement, the abstract part ofSeverin’sbrain noted.
ButCassandrawas still glaring at him so he didn’t have time to analyze it.
“Whatkindof samples?”she repeated.
“Blood first,” he said.“Thenanother saliva sample.Possiblysweat.And…”Hestopped.
“And?”she demanded.
“And if your symptoms intensify,Imay need a fresh honey sample,”Severinadmitted.There—he had known she wouldn’t like that.
As if to prove his point, her face went scarlet again.
“Ofcourseyou need more ‘honey’ samples.WhyamInot surprised?”
“I know this is uncomfortable,”Severinsaid in a low voice.
“Oh,doyou?”she demanded.“Becausefrom whereI’mstanding, it sounds like my zombie virus decided to turn me into a horny science project, and now you need to swab my lady bits to see if alien warrior cum is saving my life.”
Severin opened his mouth and closed it again.Then, very reluctantly, he said, “Thatis…notentirelyinaccurate.”
Ravik made a low rumbling sound that sounded suspiciously like amusement andCassandrapointed at him without looking.
“Donotlaugh.”
“Ravik is not laughing,” he protested.
“You absolutelyarelaughing,” she snapped.
“Only on the inside,”Raviksaid mildly.
Severin stared at his friend andCassandraturned her head and stared too.HadtheBeastKindredmade a joke?
Then, despite the fear in her eyes and the flush in her cheeks, the curvy little human burst out laughing.
The sound filled the narrow lab like a ray of sunlight and for one brief, impossible second,Severinforgot the virus, forgot the tests—even forgot the danger.Heforgot everything exceptCassandralaughing withRavik’sarms around her and the knowledge that he would do whatever it took to keep that sound in the world.
Then the hologram flickered behind him, casting green light over her face and the laughter faded.
