Page 48 of The Temptation of Roan Island

“I know it’s risky, but I’ve already sent Gray and Mrs. Darning, and no one has found the boy. She might not have much time left—” My throat constricts. I have to swallow the emotion before continuing. “We owe her a chance to see her son one more time after the risk she took for us with Hammish.”

“I might have found a way to help her,” Noah says.

“You found a cure?” Ruby asks the question in my own mind.

“No.” Noah’s voice is careful. “But I think I might be able to slow down the progression of the disease.” He stands and motions for me to look through the microscope. “The women—all of them—have blood that is abnormally thick. It’s slowing down their circulation, preventing their muscles from getting enough oxygen, forcing their hearts to work harder. Eventually, it will affect their organs. They’ll shut down.”

He speaks so clinically, but the words feel like little knives stabbed into my back.

“So how can you stop that?” Ruby asks, always curious.

“I’m not sure I can. Not until I figure out what’s causing it, which as of yet, is a mystery to me.” Noah looks once more at what’s in the microscope then leans back. “But thinning the blood might free up room in the arteries.”

The beat of my hearts speeds unnaturally fast.

“Blood letting?” Ruby stands and joins us, leaning her hip against the table.

“Possibly, but I suspect it would be best if a Mavarri feeds from them. Our venom has a blood-thinning quality.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, tugging my fingers through my hair without realizing it’s tied back. The leather strap falls to the floor, and I bend to pick it up.

When I stand, Noah is studying me with a skeptical narrowing of his eyes.

“This is wonderful.” Ruby pats my arm. “An easy fix.”

“Not a fix,” Noah says.

Not easy, I think.

“Where is she now?” Ruby asks. “Perhaps you don’t need to wait until the new moon party.” She wiggles her eyebrows with a knowing smile.

Fuck!

“She’s asleep,” I say a little too quickly. “Would you explain all this to her in the morning, Noah? I think it would be best coming from you.”

Ruby tilts her head and narrows her eyes. “You haven’t bitten her yet, have you?”

“I didn’t want… I mean, she’s ill.”

“Well, apparently you don’t need to restrain yourself anymore.” Ruby smiles as if she’s truly delighted, happy I’ve found what she has. If only she knew.

“What if… I lose control and take too much?” It’s not my primary worry—I haven’t lost control while feeding since I was a teenager—but it is a concern, and one Ruby and Noah will believe.

“Are you really afraid that might happen?” Ruby asks.

I ignore her question. “Maybe you should just do blood draws instead? Or we could add venom to a vial and give it to her?”

“Too complicated. Besides, I won’t be able to do blood draws when you’re in the colonies.”

“So you’re alright with us going?”

“You’re right. She deserves this. As long as you’re with her.” Noah nods. “I won’t try to dictate your life, Shem. Not like Hammish did.”

I sigh and retie my hair. “What if she doesn’t want me to bite her?”

“She does,” Ruby reassures. “Trust me. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”

Right. The way she looks at me when she’s pretending.