Heirot

Tenele stared down at the cool hand under hers. She hesitated a moment and then curled her fingers over it. She gave him a really hard squeeze, as if testing his durability, and then let out a soft laugh after squeezing him with all her might and receiving no complaints. Her green eyes darted up to him as she slipped back down beneath the sheets. She didn't let go of his hand, even when she fell asleep some time later.

Vlad went still and watched her in silence through the next few hours. It made him irrationally happy that she wanted contact with him. He didn't try to move his hand.

He finally extended his thoughts to his bloodling. *Still awake?*

"Yep," Talon murmured, glancing up from his book to the little girl curled in his lap. "How are things on your end? Tenara seemed very worried about Tenele."

"She had a rough night. She's sleeping, but I'm in here with her. Do you feel up to some library time?"

Talon, nodded, even if Vlad couldn't see it. "Sure," he replied. "What about Tenara? You could bring Tenele back to the room and watch them both while I do some investigating."

Vlad hesitated. *Leave her with Stalker. He'll let me know if anything is wrong with her. I need your help finding some books. I can review them from here.*

*Alright,* he replied, slipping Tenara back down to her bed. He tugged the blankets over the little girl and then gave the hell hound a swift nod.

Talon waited until he was in the library before he contacted Vlad again. *I'm here. Which books are you looking for?"

Vlad swallowed. "Zoology. No....this wouldn't be something well known. Maybe Cryptozoology. Horticulture," he said thoughtfully. "Only sources that are highly complete. Nothing introductory." He cringed just saying it, knowing how very not-detail-oriented he was. But he could study when he wanted to. He'd done it before, and he was well motivated. "Bring me whatever you find.

Two hours later, just a few hours shy of dawn Talon snuck into Tenele's room as quietly as he could and set the books on the table near Vlad. He eyed his sister thoughtfully and the way she held his master's hand.

*Well, at least she's holding your hand. That's a good sign, right?* he asked, stepping a bit closer. He could smell his sister's blood hidden beneath the bandages. He glanced up to Vlad. *Anything else?*

Vlad looked at the books gratefully, and then his expression grew a bit more serious. *I need something that can prevent pregnancy.* He looked Talon in the eye.

Talon narrowed his eyes questioningly on his master, and then turned his gaze on his sleeping sister. His eyes burned neon. "Did he suffer? Tell me he suffered." The young vampire's fist tightened and loosened as he worked all the methods Vlad had showed him to control his rage. He took a deep cooling breath, a step back.

"I'll mix it up for you," he grunted, trying to force himself into scientist mode, rather than explode as her sibling. "But, I doubt you'll need it. The doctors told Tenele after Tenara was born that it was highly unlikely she'd ever conceive again. As a precaution... I can make appropriate dosage."

*He suffered....but not enough,* Vlad seethed. *If there's any chance, then it is worth the discomfort.*

Talon nodded slowly. *I'll be back shortly,* he replied before leaving. He returned an hour later with a vile of liquid that looked more like pea soup. He handed it to Vlad stiffly. *She has to drink all of it... Are you going to tell her what it is for?*

*She will know, even if I don't tell her. Taking it will be her choice,* he said unhappily. *I'll give it to her when she wakes.*

He telekinetically raised one of the books to his lap.

Talon nodded. *I'm sorry,* he told his master, reaching out for his shoulder. He gave the vampire a firm squeeze. *Let me know if there is anything else you need. I'll return to snack guard duty.* The vampire left as quietly as he entered the room, leaving Vlad to his thoughts.

It was well into morning when Tenele finally stirred, and it was due to the noisy entrance of a nurse. She bustled in to make sure Tenele's bandages hadn't leaked through and to check her vitals.

Tenele was groggy, not entirely sure what was happening until the nurse instructed her to eat the breakfast she'd brought and left.

She turned her sleepy gaze on the man in the chair next to her. His red eyes startled her, and everything about the day before came flooding back in a hot flash. She curled forward and covered her head with her hands.