Page 40 of Thicker than Blood

“You must be made of stone.”

I wish. Elias gestures for us to walk ahead of him. Benicio appears again, setting down a tray with juice and wine on it.

“Thank you, Benicio,” Elias says, sitting on the couch.

I choose to sit on his left while Enyo sits on his right. Enyo rubs his hands together.

“Threesome vibes. I dig it.”

“Enyo.” I give him a look. “Be serious.”

Elias smiles. “Ah. Opposites attract, yes?”

“Just as friends,” Enyo says. “No benefits included.”

I huff a breath. We should not be talking about sex with Elias. He definitely doesn’t need encouragement.

“Good to know. I’d hate to be jealous of you.”

Enyo’s eyes go wide as he reaches around behind Elias to poke me. “I’d never stand in the way of Geordi getting everything he’s ever?—”

I clear my throat. “Back to the purpose of our visit.”

Elias turns his gaze to me, an amused expression on his stunning face. “By all means.”

“Same as before,” I explain, digging my notebook out of my bag. “Compulsion before the vaccine, then again after.”

Elias reaches behind Enyo, slowly massaging the back of his neck. I’m sure it’s to relax him, but the way my stomach twists into a knot is pure jealousy. Awesome.

“Tell me about something pleasant you enjoy,” Elias says, gazing into Enyo’s eyes.

I see the moment Enyo’s eyes glaze over as he talks about the manga books he loves to read. Elias leans in, nodding and whispering words I can’t hear. It’s like his lips are moving but nothing is coming out, but Enyo is swaying back and forth, completely under his spell.

If Elias kisses him I think I’ll jump out of my skin even though I have no right to. As if hearing my thoughts, Elias puts his hand on my leg without turning his attention away from my friend. He gently squeezes my thigh in a comforting gesture.

“Offer your neck,” Elias says.

Enyo doesn’t even hesitate, tugging the collar of his shirt down and tilting his head back.

“Very nice,” Elias purrs. “Offer your body.”

Enyo hums softly, standing and immediately unbuttoning his jeans, but Elias puts his hand over his, stopping him.

“Thank you.” Elias guides Enyo back to sitting and blinks, snapping Enyo out of his thrall.

Enyo jolts and visibly shudders. “Wow. That works way better than hypnosis.”

Elias chuckles. “Indeed.” He turns to me. “Did you get what you needed?”

“I think so. Did you feel that resistance in him that you told me about?”

“Not one bit.”

I nod, scrawling that in my notes. “That bodes well for the vaccine. Are you ready, En?”

“Sure thing,” he says, pushing up his sleeve.

I get to work, searching for his vein and then injecting the serum. His eyes go wide as he cringes.

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