“Yes,” Emma said.
Dessie’s chin dropped. “You’re telling me that the most likely scenario is that Ulric’s blood was injected into my head until a tumor was formed? Then I was programmed somehow, and the tumor took on its own life.”
“I think so,” Emma said. “We could try to remove it, but based on my experience, there’s only one way to find a cure or antidote. I don’t have what we need, unfortunately.”
“What’s that?” Destiny already knew the answer.
Emma turned toward Garrett’s home. “More of Ulric’s blood, which would counteract or even destroy the mass. We need his blood in a quantity I don’t know how we’d obtain, even if we somehow sent a force into the prison world, which we don’t know how to do.”
So. That was that, then.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Do you believe in fate?” Garrett nudged more casserole toward Dessie, enjoying the quiet of his home.
“Yes.” She sampled the carrots, an ancient book of vampire fairy tales at her elbow. He’d found the volume for her earlier, and she’d been delighted to start deciphering it. Finally, she’d taken a break to eat. “With a name like mine, believing in fate just makes sense. What about you?”
He nodded, his blood pumping faster now that they were alone. Her sweet scent was drawing him in, and all he wanted to do was pluck her out of her chair and take her to the floor. His cock pounded in agreement. But he let his brain rule. For now. “Always have and always will. Do you think we’re meant to be together?” He was being as gentle as possible as he steered her where he wanted her to go, but she had a stubborn chin and a sacrificing attitude that wasn’t going to make it easy.
She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I don’t see as that matters.”
Interesting. It most certainly was not a denial. He tamped down his impatience. “Why not?” He poured them both more wine.
She swallowed. “Because I’m no longer enhanced, and the tumor is going to kill me in a week.”
“No, it is not. You’re enhanced in the way you affect plants and flowers and can rule the outdoors, and you should work on that more. Could be a good weapon for you.”
Her eyes widened. Obviously she’d never thought of that. “I look for beauty, not danger.”
Yeah, danger was his job. “Plus, you’re gifted with languages and codes, and that’s an enhancement. So your skills are still there and we just need to draw out more of your true self.”
She sighed. “Maybe.”
“We’re going to figure out how to cure you.” There was more—he could tell. “What are you hiding from me?” He kept his voice mild.
“Nothing.” She took another bite of the casserole as if it were an effort. Purple smudged the delicate skin beneath her eyes, and her shoulders drooped. The tests had taken too much out of her. “Why are you so suspicious?”
“You’re not meeting my gaze.” He plopped more of the carrot mixture on her plate.
She shrugged. “I’m tired and don’t want to argue.”
“What would we argue about?”
Finally, she lifted her eyes. “Seriously? Don’t be daft.”
He lifted one eyebrow.
“Fine. You think we should try to mate again so you can protect me or whatever. Even temporarily until the marking fades again. Then you want to just toddle off on your own and kill Ulric, and somehow steal a bucket of his blood to save me, even though you don’t normally navigate dream worlds.” A translucent peach color washed over her soft skin. “Right?”
“I don’t toddle.” He took another drink of the wine. It was impressive how easily she’d read his intentions, however. “Emma has spent the last two days studying your blood and the tumor. She’s now nearly certain that if we somehow successfully mate, it won’t make it grow in size, based on the chemicals inherent in it.” Which had been excellent news, and he trusted his aunt. Mating would not hurt Dessie.
Dessie placed her fork on the plate. “I know. I spoke with her before you did.” She rolled her eyes at him and sounded both petulant and exhausted.
He had different remedies for each. “You’re courting both a spanking and a warm bath, kitten.”
Her eyes sparked. “I choose the bath.”
“Not sure the choice is yours,” he murmured. At least she was looking more alive.
