Page 66 of Thicker than Blood

Me: I’m so sorry. I didn’t tell you because…

I pause, not sure if I should admit it. I hit send before I mean to.

Meredith: Because?

Shoot.

Me: I didn’t want you to tell me no.

Meredith: So you took a major chance with Enyo’s health. Did you consider adverse effects?

Me: I did. I have an antidote but not enough for hundreds of people. I’m gonna try to get Enyo to take it but he’s resisting me.

Meredith: I’m really surprised you didn’t try it on yourself first.

Me: I did. It has a different effect on me and I don’t know why yet.

I glance at Elias, who’s leaning over, rubbing my thigh.

Me: So… it’s having an effect on two vampires.

My phone rings and I blow out a breath as I answer.

“Hey, Mere.”

“What about the vampires? You gave them the vaccine?”

“Not exactly. In order to test it, I had to ask a vampire to compel me. Or try to. Then I repeated the experiment with Enyo.”

“Uh-huh.”

I squeeze my eyes closed as I admit the rest. “And then both of those vampires bit us.”

“Fuck,” she grits out.

“They drank blood with the vaccine in it.”

“You let vampires feed from you?”

Opening my eyes, I squeeze the bridge of my nose. “It was a situation.”

“Any other broken rules you want to own up to?”

I shake my head even though she can’t see. Definitely not telling her the rest or where I’m at right now.

“Nope.”

“Geordi. Are you sure you’re telling me everything I need to know?”

“I am. The vaccine is the problem. I’m looking over my notes now trying to figure out what went wrong. As soon as I can get Enyo to take the antidote, I’ll know if it works and I can make more.”

“And you’re not having any side effects?”

“No.” The memory of Lucius and Elias telling me they felt something different in me rushes back. “I need to figure that out too. Maybe some people are naturally immune or something.”

“So you weren’t compelled?”

“No.” Twisting my lips, I bite back the full truth. How could I tell her about my loosening inhibitions without admitting how far I took it? “I’ll get back to you as soon as I have an update.”