Chapter 22
Flora spent a week in her comfortable containment chamber in the basement, under continuous monitoring. Cato wouldn't allow for another incident like the first. Flora’s vitals, physiological markers, and blood samples, all indicated that the presence of vampiric DNA had been reversed.
"It will be so nice to get out of here," Flora said. "Not that I haven't appreciated your hospitality."
She and Penelope laughed as Cato unlocked the chamber. The sisters embraced the moment the door slid open.
"Thank you for saving me," Flora sobbed.
"I couldn't leave you like that," Penelope said, sniffling back the tears.
"Everything appears normal," Cato said, doing one last scan of Flora's system.
"Kian has prepared a feast," Penelope informed her sister. "Everyone is waiting."
Cato followed the sisters upstairs as they held hands and walked up together. He was so happy that his mate’s sister had been healed. He could feel Penelope’s intense relief and her joy radiating through him. The connection he felt to his mate allowed him a slight glimpse into the connection she felt with her sister. And he knew that Flora was the most important person in her life. The mate bond was magnificent and global, but so was the twin bond. It was something he would never underestimate or deny her.
In the living room at the top of the stairs, the rest of the family was waiting. Aiden and Aria began to sing For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow the second Flora emerged from the basement. Laughing and covering her mouth, everyone took turns embracing her and Penelope, congratulating them for their strength, perseverance, health, and the love they shared as sisters.
"Kian and I have prepared a feast. It’s out on the patio," Everly announced. "I hope you like barbecue."
"Who doesn't like barbecue?"
Everyone went outside to partake of the huge meal, sitting around the large table under the shade of the overhang. Cato watched the sisters as they helped dish each other's plates. They looked so alike that a stranger might confuse the two. They were both equally beautiful, and equally ingenious.
"Tell me more about your thesis on genetic engineering," Cato asked Flora.
"Oh yes," she said, after swallowing a mouthful of barbecued ribs.
She wiped her fingers on a napkin and took a sip of white wine. "I'm almost finished. The subject is the activation of the recessive genes in disease prevention."
"I wonder if your research could be applied more broadly," Cato mused.
"I'm sure it could. What did you have in mind?"
"As you know, the Dragon Soul DNA is a collection of recessive genes. They are essentially inactive until the mating bite activates them. I've been researching the resulting antibodies found in mated Dragon Soul blood to potentially be used as a type of inoculation for other Dragon Souls and possibly for humans against the vampires. But I wonder if we combined our efforts, if we could find a solution more quickly."
"That sounds fascinating," Flora said. "I would be honored to participate in such collaborative research."
"How is the work on the album coming?" Penelope asked Aiden and Aria.
"We are ready to begin recording," Aria said. "All of our original songs are written, and we've secured the licenses for several covers."
"Yea!" Winnifred said. "You guys do some of the best Beatles covers I've ever heard."
"We’ve got Cato on recording and distribution," Aria said. "If he's not too busy saving the human race from vampires."
"Your music is also an important tool," Cato said. "The two of you together create a deep resonance. And the readings I've taken from your recordings indicate that it is just as powerful when delivered that way."
"You'd best keep an eye on him, Penelope, or he's going to be working so much he won't have any time for you."
"Cato's work is as important to me as it is to him. Besides, I need to get back to the library. My leave of absence is over tomorrow."
"And I need to get back to school," Flora said. "If I haven't already been kicked out."
"We can create some reasonable excuses for you," Cato said. "Doctors notes, police records, etc. We just need to come up with a plausible explanation for your absence."
"That brings us to question her safety," Kian said.
"Because she bit Penelope, Flora now has the antibodies against vampires. I'm giving her a wrist device that will allow her to use laser weapons imbued with antibodies as well. She should be safe."
"What about the rest of us?" Everly asked. "Will we be able to leave the compound on our own?"
"After further extensive testing, I've come to the conclusion that mated Dragon Souls are safe from vampires. You've already been fitted with wrist devices and will have defensive weapons if attacked."
"I don't want Ember leaving the compound without a dragon present," Kian said.
"It'll give you a chance to spend more time with your daughter when I go shopping." Everly said, with a giggle.
"That will be lovely," Kian said, scooping a spoonful of applesauce into his daughter's mouth and smiling like a proud dad. "The Princess of the House of Flames needs to learn the ropes as the next leader of our clan."
"Isn't she a little young for that?" Dax asked.
"It's never too early," Kian said, cooing in his daughter.
Everly giggled and rubbed her round belly, gazing lovingly at her mate and the child she'd adopted as her own. Soon the House of Flames would have another member, Kian’s second daughter and the first dragonkin born on Earth.
“Incoming message,” Bethi’s voice chirped through the mental link.
All the dragons looked up at each other, each having heard the communication.
“Shall I relay?”
“Yes, Bethi,” Kian said inside the link.
“Greetings, House of Flames! It is I, Prince Hanish of the House of Storms. It gladdens me to find another house awake. We look forward to meeting. Soon we will emerge from this Pacific Ocean and employ the services of a…what was that word again? Oh yes… a realtor.”
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