Page 51 of Heir of Blood and Moonlight

I cleared my throat and silently recited subclasses of the Library of Congress Call Number classification system, starting with A.

AC: Collections, Series, Collected Works

AE: Encyclopedias

AG: Dictionaries and other general reference works

Few things were as unsexy as a mind-numbing classification system, and the recitation quickly did the trick in taming my libido.

“Sorry,” I breathed, grateful Gavin and Bastian could only sense the shape of my emotions and not actually see my lewd thoughts. “I–” I licked my lips. “You really think I can feel Thane?”

Gavin nodded once. “You should be able to sense him for a few weeks, with the link weakening until the last remnants of his blood leave your system completely.”

“Then he’s alive,” I said, relieved. “And if I can feel him, then I can help Ash findhim.”

Gavin laced a belt through the loops in his pants. “What exactly are you suggesting?”

“I should go with Ash and his team,” I said.

Bastian gripped my arm. “Soph–”

“Out of the question,” Gavin snapped.

“They might not be able to find him without me,” I said, yanking my arm free from Bastian’s hold. “If Ash wants my help, I’ll give it to him.”

Letting his belt hang open, Gavin removed a white button-down shirt from another hanger on the back of the door and guided the sleeves onto his arms. “Not with your powers crippled as they are, you’re not.”

“Thenuncripple them,” I said, taking a step toward him. “You said you could fix the tincture in your labs, so do it.”

Gavin buttoned his shirt and tucked it into the waistband of his slacks with jerky motions. “You’re not going,” Gavin said, his voice ringing with all the power of hiswillas he stalked toward me. Hiswillwas potent, and I was aware of its influence, but it didn’t affect me anymore.

“Stop, Gavin,” I said, my ownwillresonating through my voice.

Gritting his teeth, Gavin halted mid-step, his entire body shaking as he fought the command.

I was the daughter of High Queen Diana, descended from High Queen Mene, who Selene had blessed with her favor. “You don’t command me,” I told him. “Icommandyou.”

Gavin’s eyes narrowed with challenge, and we stared at one another for a long moment. “I already have people working on the tincture,” he said through gritted teeth. “At least wait until we have a clean sample. We need to test the efficacy of the clean tincture to make sure it stabilizes your powers.”

“Fine,” I said, just as eager to unshackle myself from my body’s unsustainable needs.

“And,” Gavin said, buckling his belt with excessive precision and control. “You will bind Ash before taking any action to track Thane.”

My eyes bulged, and my mouth fell open. “What?”

Gavin tucked the tail of his belt into a loop. “You need to be as strong as possible if you’re going to leave the safety of the Moon Sanctuary.”

I glared at him. He was baiting me, testing my resolve. But Thane had sacrificed himself to save us. To save me. If rescuing him required a sacrifice on my part, so be it. And it wasn’t like I was put off by the idea of bonding with Ash. I wasn’t sure I had exchanged a single word with the hulking Viking-esque vampire, but I was drawn to him, just as I was drawn to Thane.

“Ifthe clean tincture works and your powers are stabilized, then you’ll carry out a fullcommunionwith all three of us, andthenyou can assist with the search for Thane.”

My jaw dropped yet again. “All three of you—at the same time?” Despite my lurid, possibly prophetic dream from the other night, I still wasn’t certain of the mechanics ofcommunion–I didn’t know why they didn’t just call it an orgy, because that’s what it was, regardless of the blood exchange element–with three men, let alone a complete harem of seven.

Was it going to be a free-for-all on my holes? Would my immortals be beating each other up to get to me? There wereonly three holesafter all. Did the slowpokes have to wait on the sidelines and watch? Or maybe they would form a line?

I stifled an inappropriate giggle.

Gavin clenched and unclenched his jaw in what I was quickly understanding to be a tick that displayed his annoyance for all to see. He inhaled deeply, blowing the breath out through his nose. “Whatis so funny? Because I assure you thatyouleaving the safety of Sanctuary on a manhunt is no laughing matter.”

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