My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(18)

"Oh gods," Vivi whispered, then began walking down the hall.

Serenity and Micah followed. As they approached they noticed the door to the master suite was open and they could hear loud hissing and thrashing.

"Go ahead and try to bite me one more time Hissy. Remember Beth likes you, I have no problems punching you in the balls to get you to simmer down." Meryn's voice was clearly audible. Vivi covered her face with her palm.

Surprisingly enough the hissing softened. "There. Now Rheia says I have to have eight hours of quiet time or she'll shove a feeding tube down my nose. So, I am going to share one of my favorite relaxing TV shows with you. Okay Ryuu, press play."

"Of course, denka," Ryuu replied.

A soft soothing voice started speaking. Serenity frowned. "Are they watching Bob Ross?" she whispered.

"Happy little stormtroopers," Meryn said.

Micah nodded. "Yup."

Vivi walked through the doorway and they followed. Sure enough. Meryn had propped the prince of the vampires up in bed and was lying down beside him while Bob Ross played in the background. When Magnus saw them, he sat up and bared his fangs. Meryn raised a hand over his crotch and Magnus laid back down growling lowly.

Sebastian watched the entire scene looking like a proud father. "Only Meryn has been able to handle him."

Vivi shook her head. "I wonder why." She turned to her. "Do you need to touch him for this to work?"

Serenity shook her head. "No, I just need to see him."

"Do I need to get up?" Meryn asked plaintively.

"No Meryn, you're fine. Just try not to move around."

"Okie dokie," Meryn yawned and closed her eyes.

Serenity took a deep breath and called on her magic. Instantly her eyes were drawn up to the brain. Flashes of purple ignited in clusters. His testosterone levels were off the charts. She had never in her entire career seen anyone with levels that high and she had treated unit warriors after battle.

"Vivi, what exactly was in the treatment you gave him. The exact components," Serenity asked, keeping her eyes focused on Magnus.

"We used an older vampire's blood then mixed it with Caspian's to ensure compatibility and to prevent any type of bonding," Vivi explained.

"You're telling me the only thing he received was two strains of vampire blood?" Serenity asked.

"Yes."

"Who was the other donor?"

Vivi hesitated.

Serenity could understand the reluctance to share names, but in order to help Magnus she needed to know. "I'm not asking to be nosy and I am bound like any other physician to confidentiality. What you tell me, stays with me," she promised.

"You might as well tell her," Sebastian said. "It is bound to come up in conversation later anyway."

"It was Gavriel's blood," Vivi answered.

"Hmmm." Serenity continued to watch the lights flash in his brain. To her it looked like the Fourth of July. No wonder he was restless. His brain was sending mixed signals to his body.

"Hmmm? What?" Vivi asked.

"You said older vampire, right? Magnus is pretty old, can I assume Gavriel donated because he's older?"

"Yes, much older. In fact, he's probably twice Magnus' age."

Serenity blinked and turned away from Magnus to look at Vivi. "Really?"

Vivi nodded. "Gavriel is our Dark Prince, the son of one of our Originators. He's over ten thousand years old. We thought his blood was the answer, but then this happened," she pointed to the restraints.

Serenity looked around the room. "Does anyone have a walkie-talkie?"

Meryn pointed to Ryuu. "He has mine." Ryuu held it up.

"Could you call Gavriel down here please?"

"Of course," he said and lifted the walkie-talkie. "Gavriel could you report to the Rioux quarters please."

Meryn scowled. "You never use the call signs," she muttered. Ryuu winked at his charge.

"On my way," Gavriel replied.

Meryn giggled. "I bet he thinks it's Beth. He'll be here in two seconds flat."

"You would be right," a deep voice said from behind them.

Serenity stared. "How fast are you?" Her eyes narrowed. "Or were you just close by?"

Gavriel raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you called me down to ask me?"

"No. I'm trying to help Magnus. I was told you donated the blood for his treatment."

He inclined his head. "I did."

"Are you helping uncle?" Beth asked, walking into the room. Immediately Gavriel pulled her close to his body. She gave Serenity a lop-sided smile. "I didn't mean to interrupt but I heard Gavriel getting paged and came down." Serenity could see the wealth of love Beth had for her uncle. It had nothing to do with him being a prince. From the way she smoothed her hand over the sheets Serenity could tell that Prince Magnus was adored by his niece.

"You're not interrupting at all, I'm just assembling some facts so I can try to help." She turned back to Gavriel. "I know this can be a personal question for vampires, but I assure you, it is relevant. Have you recently gone through transition?"

Gavriel blinked. "As a matter of fact I have." He tilted his head. "How could you possibly know that?"