"What exactly do the kids need?" Meryn asked.
Vivi blinked. "A cure?"
"No, like a medicine? What will make them better?"
"I'm trying to synthesize an antiviral that will mimic the antibodies found in someone who has been inoculated with the vaccine," Vivi explained.
"We're so close too," Ellie added.
Meryn frowned. "So, a person gets a vaccine and it fakes out the body into thinking it's sick then the body creates antibodies that fight off the fake sickness, right? Then when the real sickness comes along it doesn't affect them?"
Vivi nodded slowly. "Basically, yes."
Meryn pointed to Magnus. "Doesn't he have the antibodies? Can't you just use his blood?"
Vivi blinked up at Magnus. She then turned to look at Rheia and Ellie. "Could that work?"
Rheia and Ellie sat down next to Vivi on the couch. The three turned to face each other. Rheia nodded her head as she thought things through. "What about the transition markers?"
"They would have been neutralized by Serenity when she healed Magnus," Vivi answered.
"What about matching vampire bloodlines? We don't have time to use your stone," Ellie asked. All three turned to Meryn.
"You use your stone and another vampire's blood to help prevent bonding and eliminate the need for an exact match, right?" Vivi nodded. Meryn continued. "And royal blood is usually intermingled with Noble blood, which is intermingled with citizen blood. Mr. Culpepper said that one of the reasons why it was such a big deal that the four royal houses were back is because nearly everyone in the city can trace their family back to those four houses." Gavriel, Magnus and Vivi nodded. "Well, Magnus has Gavriel's blood to give it a super boost." She eyed Vivi. "But your blood has all four houses since Gavriel and Caspian gave you some blood to heal your stomach. Wouldn't that make you like a universal donor for vampires and eliminate the need for an exact match?"
Vivi launched herself at Meryn wrapping her arms around the woman's neck. "I love you!" she peppered Meryn's face with kisses. "When this is over, come work for me!"
Aiden look dumbfounded. "Hold on, is she right?"
Vivi smiled and nodded. "There's no guarantee, but it's our best shot." She threw her head back and laughed. "DeLaFontaine thought he'd infect Magnus and get rid of him, but he effectively gave us the cure!"
"Wait! What about the children? Vampires are universal donors already for shifters, but what about bonding?" Ellie asked.
Magnus shook his head. "I do not care. I will watch over them all if I have to," he said emphatically.
"Vaccine, antibodies, old vampire blood but not from a va
mpire..." Meryn murmured looking up at the ceiling. Her head came down. "Colton! He's a wolf-shifter who received the vaccine, so he has the antibodies, but he also has Gavriel's blood running through him from when he got chomped on by the feral. So, he also has the boost of older vampire blood, but because he's a shifter you don't have to worry about bonding or the transition markers." She looked at Vivi. "He got Gavriel's blood about three months ago, do you think it would work?"
Vivi simply ran from the room. "Colton! Magnus! Hurry!" she screeched. Both men simply ran to catch up.
Adriel rose from his chair and walked over to stand in front of Meryn. Without saying a word, he practically bent in half bowing low to her. Grinning, Declan and Etain stepped up to bow to her on either side of Adriel.
Micah stood, leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. Silently he took a step back until he was beside Etain and he bowed low.
"Aiden they're doing that thing," Meryn said to her mate sounding upset.
"It's because you deserve it," Aiden said, his voice thick with emotion.
"Well tell them to stop. If they want to make me happy they can get me some meat kebobs or something," Meryn definitely sounded flustered.
As one, Micah straightened with his unit. Adriel knelt down on one knee in front of her. "Will you forgive me? I did not mean to discount the value of your input. My heart and mind were distracted by my concern for Micah. It is not an excuse, but I hope you understand."
Meryn just blinked. "So, am I getting meat kebobs or not?"
Adriel chuckled and stood to ruffle her hair. She tried ducking from under his hand. "Cut it out!"
"I will fetch your meat kebobs whenever you like," he promised.