“Then if your wine doesn’t work and you pass out on the floor, you won’t mind if I laugh my ass off.”
“Ouch.” He made a face, but underneath he was still smiling.
“Speakin’ of which,” Gwyneth pointed to the glass of wine in his hand. “Ain’t it time to glug down a glass or two?”
He chuckled. “Yes, it is.” His hunger gnawed at him. If it abated quickly, he’d know the wine was working.
“Here’s to all of us,” he said, then he took the first long sip.
Nothing happened immediately.Oh no.He took another sip and sweet relief flooded him. His blood lust abated, then disappeared completely.
“I think it worked,” he pronounced.
Everyone started to cheer, but not wanting to celebrate yet he held up one hand.“There’s one more test.”
Sly crossed to the big bay window. The sky had changed from black to indigo blue. The sun would be coming up any second.He stood in the open, sipped the rest of his wine and waited. Morgaine came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Are you here to catch me?” he teased.
“Only if you need catching.”
He glanced back at the twilight. “I think I’ll be okay.”
She nipped his earlobe. The sky lightened steadily and added the pink and orange colors of a beautiful sunrise heralding a crisp, clear day.
He drained the glass and let out a deep breath. “It’s official. The wine works.”
“Thank the Goddess,” shouted Morgaine and Gwyneth.
Jason clapped and Merry rose, handing the baby to Jason. Morgaine let go long enough for Merry to give Sly a big hug.
“What are you going to call your miracle cure, Sly?” Jason asked.
“I hadn’t thought about it.”
“How about Sly wine?” Gwyneth suggested.
“I like it.” Jason stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I asked because some of the guys on the team have a commercial wine made and named after them. I was asked if I’d like one too. They want to call it Jason Falco’s Lefty Merlot. Does your cure affect non-vampires?”
“I don’t know.”
Gwyneth raised her hand. “I volunteer to try a glass, if y’all want to find out.”
Morgaine and Sly stared at each other. At last Morgaine said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Mikhail wouldn’t let me have any. I don’t know if that’s because it wasn’t good for the living or if it was too precious to waste on us.”
“That’s fine,” Jason said. “I just thought I’d mention it in case it could be mass produced, then you wouldn’t have to make it yourself.”
“I don’t mind making it,” Sly said. “I don’t know how you’d explain having to add a few ounces of old wine to each bottle of new stuff before it ferments.”
“Besides,” Morgaine said, “to make a commercial wine takes months. The recipe we got off the internet is quick and easy.”
Jason shrugged. “Oh well, it was just a thought.”
“Thanks for thinking of it.”
Merry rubbed her hands together. “You’ll need wine racks for the cellar.”
“And a big ol’ wooden vat,” Gwyneth said. “Morgaine and I can stomp grapes and make it from scratch when the summer comes. Maybe we can even plant a few grape vines on that little patch you call a lawn.”
