Page 27 of Becoming D'Vaire
“You know, I had the Prism Wizard ask the Vampyress if High Arcanist Idris and I could meet with the scientists responsible for creating it, but she denied our request.”
“Yeah, she’s really protective of me, and we’ve managed to keep the secret of who created it all this time.”
“Huh?” was all Delaney managed.
“When I was a kid, I found my mom crying because an entire family of vampires died due to lack of blood. My dad had already built me my own lab, and I’ve been intrigued by science my whole life. I decided I was going to fix it for her, so she didn’t lose any more of our people. First, I had to figure out what component of blood vampires relied on. You would’ve thought plenty of studies were done by then but anyway, once I figured that out by experimenting on myself and separating the blood until I could feel my body craving it, I began building a formula to replicate the plasma. I finished the first version when I was fourteen. Since then, I’ve refined the process down to about three or four drops to make gallons, but someday my goal is to truly make it synthetic.”
“You’re a genius.”
“From what I’ve read, so are you.”
Chapter 10
“You’ve read about me?” Delaney asked. Grigori tugged off his sneakers and lay down on his bed. He was enjoying his conversation with Delaney and the wizard hadn’t hung up, so he figured they were doing all right. Which was a relief, considering what he’d put him through. He wasn’t going to let Delaney go until he agreed to a redo and accepted his apology. He needed to make this right between them.
“First and only wizard to graduate at the rank of Master at the age of sixteen. Doesn’t sound like you have any trouble with books there, High Arcanist.”
“I love books—the older the better.”
“Did you really summon a dragon familiar because of my mom?”
“I have to be honest, my fascination with dragons started then, but I believe something would’ve drawn me to them no matter what. I believe Fate knew someday I’d be living in a dragon court.”
“I guess I don’t need to ask if you like it there at your sanctuary.”
“It’s more than a sanctuary, this is my family. They’re the best people on the planet.”
“I can’t wait to meet all of them. I’m close with my family too.”
“Everyone in your family’s ridiculously good-looking.”
Grigori laughed. “Well, I know your family won’t share the same resemblance mine does, but if they’re half as gorgeous as you, then I’ll be saying the same about yours.”
“I spent a good thirty minutes doing my hair tonight.”
“Sorry I missed seeing it. Would you let me make it up to you? Dinner tomorrow night?”
“I’m not going to the same place. Those waiters think I’m some cheap weirdo who only eats breadsticks while sipping water.”
“You’re killing me, you didn’t even order anything to drink?”
“It would’ve been rude to do that before you got there. Not as rude as forgetting to show up but you know, still awful.”
“I hope you know, I really am sorry. I’ve already decided I’m not going to let you hang up until I have your forgiveness,” Grigori confessed.
“I guess I can understand how you could’ve forgotten your phone which you rely upon to keep you on track.”
“Oh thanks, Delaney. I have to make it up to you, though. Seriously, dinner tomorrow night?”
He heard the sigh through the phone. “Does it have to be fancy? That’s not really my thing.”
“You really are perfect for me. How about somewhere you can wear jeans and sneakers?”
“Vampire club?”
“Nice try. Not on our first date. Besides, when we go, you’re going to be wearing the leather pants of my dreams,” Grigori told him.
“Technically it’s our second date, and I don’t own leather pants. Idris insisted I get a pair of dragonskin ones made, though.”
