My Gifts at Christmas: Chapter 3

Broderick looked around in confusion. Hadn’t he just been at the dinner table? He was now naked and in bed. He blinked. Where was Caspian? Where was Beth? He swung his legs over the side of the bed and went to stand and immediately collapsed to the floor. He stared up at the ceiling.

‘Well, this is new.’ He began to take inventory of his body. Nothing broken, though his head felt like it was about to explode and his mouth was drier than a desert.

‘Gods! Broderick are you all right?’

Broderick looked up at his mate. ‘My legs don’t seem to be working at the moment.’

A grin tugged at the corner of Caspian’s lips. ‘I can only imagine. What do you remember of last night?’

Broderick tried to think past the pounding in his skull. ‘We were at dinner and Beth choked.. Beth! Is she well this morning? Was she changed? Fed?’ He tried to organize his limbs, but failed miserably.

Caspian scooped him up and placed him on the bed before covering him with a sheet. ‘She is just fine. Magnus and I figured out the diaper scenario this morning and Sebastian whipped up some creamy oats for her breakfast. She is currently babbling away at my brother at the breakfast table. I thought you might be waking up about now.’

His stomach grumbled. ‘If I could figure out why I have this massive headache I will try to resume bodily functions and join you.’

Caspian laughed. ‘Darling, you are severely hungover.’

‘What? No! I never drink to excess,’ he protested.

Caspian held up his hand and began ticking off symptoms. ‘Raging headache, dry mouth, nausea despite being starving? Sound about right?’

‘Gods, yes. Wait, I’m hungover? I didn’t drink that much did I? I don’t even remember coming to bed.’

‘After you finished your glass of Forbidden Fruit, you drained your wine glass. Then Sebastian poured you more whiskey. After a few more sips I had to hand Beth off to Magnus when you began to slid out of your chair.’

Broderick covered his eyes with his forearm. ‘Gods! They must think I am an absolute lush!’

Caspian chuckled as he sat down. ‘Nonsense. What we think is that you are amazingly resilient for handling so much in such a short amount of time. We were honored you felt safe enough to relax and trust us with Beth.’

Broderick removed his arm. ‘I shouldn’t though. It hasn’t even been a day since we’ve met but it’s like…’ He couldn’t explain it. From the moment he had smelled Caspian and realized he was his mate, it was like his entire being had shifted within him. Love blossomed quickly, almost too quickly.

Caspian lay beside him and pulled him close. ‘Sebastian asked me this morning how I felt about you. Evidently we were throwing the word ‘love’ around quite a bit.’

Broderick wiggled until he could look up into his mate’s eyes. ‘Why doesn’t it feel weird?’

Caspian gave a half shrug. ‘Why should it? I am the other half of your soul, as you are mine. If neither one of us is fighting the mating pull, why should it not be this way?’

Broderick just frowned. It couldn’t be that simple, could it?

‘Broderick?’

He looked up at Caspian. ‘Yes?’

‘Do you think I would ever hurt or endanger Beth?’

‘Of course not!’

‘Do you believe I love her with all my heart?’

‘Yes,’ he answered, without hesitation.

‘How could I feel less for you?’

Broderick opened his mouth, then closed it. ‘Because she is cuter?’ He grinned up at his mate.

Caspian kissed his forehead. ‘I never met Hannah so I cannot say with one-hundred percent certainty, but Broderick, Beth looks exactly like you.’

Broderick shook his head. ‘Her hair…’

‘Is probably the only physical trait she got from her mother. Her eyes, nose, lip shape, everything else is all you.’

Broderick smiled. ‘Really?’

‘Yes, really. So to me, you are both adorable.’ He sat up and stretched. ‘Get dressed and we can join the others for breakfast.’

Broderick sat up and gave his head a moment to cease pounding. When he tried to stand again, Caspian was up and at his side in an instant. Carefully his mate helped him to dress and steered him toward the dining room.

When they sat down Magnus was feeding Beth creamy white oats. When he sat down Sebastian held out a mug to him. ‘This should help with the headache.’

‘Gods all bless you Sebastian,’ he murmured. Knowing it would be vile, he drank the concoction quickly. His stomach flipped twice before the pounding in his head stopped abruptly. He exhaled feeling a thousand-percent better.

‘Now, for your breakfast. How is your stomach?’ Sebastian asked.

Broderick ran a hand over his belly. ‘Settling slowly. Maybe some toast, tea and oatmeal?’ He figured he couldn’t go wrong with bland.

‘Excellent choice,’ Sebastian nodded, then headed toward the serving cart. He quickly assembled a bowl of oats and small plate of toast and set them before him. As he blew on his oats to cool them, Sebastian poured him a cup of tea.

Magnus turned to Caspian. ‘What are your plans for the day?’

‘Already trying to figure out how to monopolize Bethy?’ Caspian asked.

Magnus didn’t even look contrite. ‘Of course.’

Caspian turned to Broderick. ‘I was hoping to introduce her to the city’s warriors.’

Magnus nodded as he sat back in his chair. ‘Good idea.’

Broderick looked from one man to the other. ‘Why is that a good idea? Why on earth should Beth meet warriors?’

Sebastian answered him. ‘Because the warriors are the ones who protect the city and have the most interaction with the people. They will be the ones to watch over Beth as she grows up and guide her as she carves out her place as a shifter in a city of vampires.’

‘Because they are the most dangerous men in the city and the more smitten they are with our daughter the less likely any future suitor will come sniffing around,’ Caspian added.

Magnus smiled. ‘And they, mostly coming from outside the city may miss seeing children about.’

Caspian shrugged. ‘There is that as well. Personally I hope a warrior like Warrick DuBois dotes on her.’

‘Why him in particular?’ Broderick asked.

Sebastian added a small pastry to his plate. ‘Every few generations a DuBois will grow as large as the fae, the youngest to be so blessed is Warrick, he serves as one of the city’s warriors.’

‘So he’s big?’

Both Caspian and Magnus nodded.

‘Bigger than Tarak?’ Broderick thought that Tarak and Kuruk were huge.

Caspian tapped his chin. ‘I think Warrick has them beat but a couple of inches.’

‘As a vampire?’ Broderick asked feeling stunned.

‘As a vampire.’ Magnus confirmed.

‘I could see how that’d be reassuring,’ Broderick agreed.

‘We will head up there after breakfast,’ Caspian said, sipping his tea.

‘If you’re sure,’ Broderick said, smiling to himself. If his mate wanted to arrange a small army to protect their daughter, who was he to stop him? He just hoped Beth liked them as well.

*****

‘She will be fine,’ Caspian reassured his mate as they made their way toward the Unit level. ‘She will wrap them all around her tiny finger and we will have that many more warriors looking out for our daughter.’

‘Why does that sound so shady?’

Caspian shrugged. ‘I see it as using the resources available to us.’

‘Resources being warriors?’

‘Absolutely.’

Broderick chuckled as he shook his head. ‘Whatever you say.’

Caspian winked at Bethy who giggled back at him. ‘Gods, she is perfect.’

‘She thinks you’re perfect too,’ Broderick hugged his arm.

Caspian reached down, took his mate’s hand and lifted them to the level that housed the city’s warriors.

‘Prince Caspian, to what do we owe this honor,’ Adriel asked, walking forward, the Eta unit wasn’t too far behind their leader.

‘Adriel, just the man I wanted to see.’ He dropped Broderick’s hand to wrap his arm around his mate’s shoulders. ‘I would like to introduce Broderick Monroe. He is an amazing scientist who Magnus recruited to Noctem Falls. He is working on ways to make our food source even better.’ He paused and smiled broadly. ‘And he is my mate.’

Adriel’s brows shot up in surprise before he quickly schooled his features. ‘A thousand blessings on your mating, Your Highness.’ He turned to Broderick. ‘You are doubly welcome to our city Prince Broderick. If there is anything myself or my men can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. We support Prince Magnus in all his endeavors.’

‘Thank you. So far the people of the city have been warm and friendly, our welcome has been a pleasant one.’

Declan frowned. ‘It has?’

Grant elbowed his friend causing Declan to grunt in pain. He nodded his head to Caspian. ‘I think the reason for their warm reception is perched on Prince Caspian’s arm.’

Adriel’s mouth twitched. ‘I do believe you are correct Grant.’

‘She’s a little angel,’ Etain said, waving at Bethy.

Caspian set her down so she stood next to his leg. ‘Bethy, these men are our city’s best warriors. They will be looking out for you as you grow up, say, ‘hello’.’

Bethy ducked her face into his pant leg before she shyly looked out at the men. ‘Hewoo.’

‘Gods, I am destroyed,’ Declan whispered. ‘She’s so damn cute.’

‘Fairest little princess, welcome to Noctem Falls,’ Micah said sweeping his arm across his chest.

‘Broderick, the gobsmacked men before you are the Eta Unit, the ranking unit in the city. Their leader is Adriel Aristaios.’

‘Adel!’ Bethy repeated.

Caspian cleared his throat. ‘His second in command his Declan Lionhart.’

‘Dek-an!’

‘Beside him is Grant Douglas.’

‘Gran!’

‘Their fae brother is Etain Vi’Aerlin.’

‘Tain!’

‘And last but certainly not least is Micah Sageson, witch.’

‘My-ka!’

Broderick was smiling at the men’s reaction to Bethy’s version of their names. ‘It’s wonderful to meet you all.’

Bethy toddled forward arms outstretched to Adriel, when suddenly she was falling. Everyone watched in horror as she hit the ground and a loud snapping noise filled the air.

‘Beth!’ Broderick dropped to his knees and pulled her into his arms.

Beth simply held up her arm which dangled in a macabre way.

‘We need a healer! Hawthorne!’ Adriel bellowed. Etain took off in a dead run toward the direction of the warrior’s houses yelling for the witch.

Caspian looked on, feeling once again, useless in the face of his daughter’s pain.

Micah knelt down beside Broderick and placed a hand over Beth’s arm. ‘I can keep the swelling down and ease her pain, but I don’t know how to knit the bones back together.’ His hand began to glow and Beth’s features relaxed.

Moments later Etain returned with Hawthorne in tow. ‘There, fix her!’ he ordered.

Hawthorne wasted no time and dropped down to the ground on the other side of Broderick.

‘Why is the floor so damn hard?’ Etain growled, stamping his feet vengefully on the pathway.

‘To walk on,’ Grant answered, still looking a bit green.

‘There, there kiddo,’ Hawthorne murmured, as his own hands began to glow over Beth’s arm.

Micah removed his magic and sat back. ‘She didn’t even cry.’

‘She never does,’ Broderick remarked.

Caspian looked down at his mate. ‘Does this happen a lot?’

Broderick shrugged. ‘More than I would like, but kids get hurt a lot when they’re growing up.’ He saw the expressions of the men around him. ‘Right?’

Micah rubbed his chin. ‘Skinned knees and bruises when they’re older. I don’t think they’re supposed to have a lot of broken bones when they’re babies.’ He tilted his head. ‘I thought babies were supposed to bounce.’

Adriel looked at the witch incredulously. ‘Where on earth did you hear that?’

Micah looked offended. ‘It’s in the expression ‘bouncing baby boy’.’ He blinked. ‘Do only boys bounce?’

‘There, all done.’ Hawthorne sat back, then looked at him and Broderick. ‘She’s as good as new.’

Broderick cuddled their daughter close as Caspian helped him to stand. ‘Men, I cannot thank you enough for your quick responses.’

Adriel nodded. ‘If I may make a suggestion?’

Caspian inclined his head. ‘Of course.’

Adriel cleared his throat. ‘If she is prone to getting hurt, I would suggest a witch that has healing magic as a nanny.’ He pointed to the now large group of men standing around them making funny faces at Beth to get her to smile.

‘Even amongst the unit warriors, very few have healing magic, and as we live in a city of immortals, we do not have many healers in the city to call upon. In the event of an emergency usually every moment counts.’

‘Adriel, you are a genius.’

Adriel gave a half smile. ‘I think we all agree that we do not want to see the little one hurt again.’

‘True’ Etain scowled. ‘She’s too tiny to get hurt.’

‘If you ever need a break, we would be happy to watch her,’ Micah volunteered.

‘We may take you up on that,’ Caspian said, pulling his mate and daughter into his arms. ‘Let us return to Level One darling. News travels very quickly in the City of Night and the last thing we need is Magnus bellowing for us when he hears of Bethy’s accident.’ Caspian suggested.

His mate had the audacity to giggle. ‘That man was born to be an uncle.’

Caspian rolled his eyes as the men laughed. ‘He was an amazing older brother growing up, I expected no less from him as an uncle.’

‘Bye bye, A-del. Bye bye, Dek-an. Bye bye, Gran. Bye bye, Tain. Bye bye, My-ka.’ Bethy sung as they walked away.

‘No fair! We didn’t even get a chance to introduce ourselves!’ The other unit warriors erupted into a cacophony of complaints. Caspian shook his head at the delighted and smug expressions on the Eta Unit.

Caspian leaned down. ‘We will look her over when we get home.’

Under his hand he felt his mate still trembling. Broderick looked up, relief in his eyes. ‘Thank you, my mate.’

*****

Caspian should have known that Sebastian would be waiting for them at the door. The squire looked Beth over anxiously. ‘One of the Founding Family members was doing a walk-through on the unit level when he heard the commotion. When he realized it was Magnus’ niece he came straight down to tell us what happened.’

Caspian winced. ‘How bad?’

Sebastian waved at the door. ‘Oh, he is being an absolute bear, but I told him to stay down here. I knew you would be coming straight home after she was healed.’ Sebastian held out his hands. ‘May I?’

Broderick passed their daughter over gently. ‘It was her left arm.’

Sebastian clucked his tongue. ‘Poor baby girl. Bas has lots and lots of yummy food waiting for you.’

‘Gween?’

Sebastian blinked. ‘You would like your vegetable mash from last night?’

‘Yum!’

‘I will make some fresh. In the meantime, how about some cookies?’

‘Cawot?’

Sebastian winked. ‘What a smart baby! She can smell the carrot cookies I made.’ Sebastian simply turned and walked back into their home without a backward glance. ‘And I made cream cheese icing for you to dip them in.’

Caspian and Broderick exchanged looks and smiled. Caspian shook his head as they walked in and shut the door. ‘I see where we fall on the importance scale,’ he joked.

Broderick shrugged. ‘I don’t mind. Seeing how loved she is, how those warriors would have moved heaven and earth for her, it actually comforts me.’

Behind them Magnus stormed into the room. ‘Is she well?’

Caspian nodded. ‘Broken arm, but Hawthorne set it for us and knit the bones together.’

‘Where is she?’

Caspian raised a brow and didn’t answer.

Magnus blinked. ‘Sebastian. Right. Of course.’ He turned and headed toward the kitchen.

‘I was going to try and get some work done today, but now, I’m not so sure,’ Broderick admitted biting his lip.

Caspian exhaled, trying to release the tension in his body. ‘She could not be safer. We will let Sebastian know we are heading to the lab and ask if he can put her down for her nap.’

‘I can!’ Sebastian shouted from the kitchen.

Broderick smiled. ‘I feel like I’m imposing on them too much.’

‘You are not!’ This time it was Magnus yelling back to them.

‘She is this family’s heart. For years and years to come, Magnus and Sebastian will help us raise our perfect princess. You cannot impose on family darling.’

Magnus walked from the kitchen holding Beth. ‘Well said brother of mine.’

Sebastian followed carrying a tray of assorted treats for Beth, which he set down on one of the tables in the antechamber. Slung over one forearm was a basket of stuffed animals and toys. ‘We will have ourselves a picnic.’

Magnus with no regard to his station sat on the floor and waited for Sebastian to spread a blanket, before gently placing Beth down. ‘We will have green mash and carrot cookies whilst my niece tells us of her adventure.’

‘War-e-ors nice.’

‘They are dedicated men,’ Magnus nodded, agreeing with her.

A knock at the door had them all turning.

Sebastian stepped around their impromptu picnic and answered the door. ‘Leana, what a wonderful surprise.’

Leana smiled. ‘Forgive me for stopping by unannounced, but I heard about little Beth’s spill this afternoon and wanted to make sure all was well.’ She stepped in and stopped abruptly at the sight of Magnus on the floor with Beth. Peals of laughter escaped from behind her fan. ‘Oh Magnus! This reminds me of your visits with Mercia.’

Magnus smiled sadly. ‘It feels good to have a baby about again.’

With infinite grace Leana joined Magnus and Beth on the floor. ‘Are we having tea?’ she asked.

Beth shook her head. ‘Pin-nic.’

‘How delightful. May I join you?’

Beth looked to Magnus who nodded. She then smiled. ‘Yes.’

Sebastian was smiling as he buzzed about, placing plates down and handing Leana some tea.

When Broderick sat down in one of the room’s loveseats to relax Caspian joined him.

Beth watched both Magnus and Leana as they held their small plate and mimicked their manners the best she could.

‘Oh, that is too adorable,’ Broderick whispered, drinking in the scene before them.

‘What were you discussing?’ Leana asked properly.

‘War-e-ors,’ Beth resplied.

‘Which ones?’

‘Adel.’

‘Adriel? He is a fine leader.’

‘Pret-ee.’

Leana smiled broadly as Magnus frowned fiercely. ‘He pretty. Most of them are though.’

Beth shook her head. ‘Adel best pret-ee.’

‘Hmm, you fancy Adriel the best?’

Beth nodded.

Magnus looked up and met Caspian’s eyes. They shared a moment of brotherly understanding. Beth would never be allowed to date. Ever.

Broderick tapped his lips with his fingers. ‘You would think she’d be taken with Hawthorne, he’s the one that healed her.’

Leana sipped her tea daintily. ‘Perhaps Beth prefers vampires.’

‘She can prefer green mash and carrot cookies,’ Magnus grumbled.

‘Bas cookie!’ Beth took a bite. ‘Bas is yum!’ She held out her cookie to Leana. ‘Is yum.’

Leana accepted the cookie and took a bite. Her eyes widened. ‘These are really good.’ She chewed some more. ‘There are actual carrots in here.’

Sebastian’s chest was puffed out. ‘Of course. Bethy is a baby bunny after all. She needs her vegetables to grow up strong.’

‘We will take our leave knowing she is in good hands,’ Caspian announced taking Broderick’s hand and standing. If they didn’t leave now, he knew they could easily sit and watch Beth until evening. As much as he wanted to indulge and stay close to his daughter, he knew that his mate wanted to get some work done for the day.

Magnus waved at them absently. ‘We will see you at dinner.’

They said their goodbyes to Beth and walked to the lab.

After the lab door closed behind them, Broderick looked up at him. ‘Our baby girl is on the floor of Level One having a picnic with the Prince of the Vampires and a Founding Family matriarch.’

Caspian nodded slowly. ‘That is her life now.’

‘What do you think Fate has in store for her?’

‘Probably something amazing,’ Caspian answered.

Broderick’s eyes looked troubled. ‘Or something terrible.’

Caspian immediately pulled his mate close. ‘We will not think like that. She will be raised with every advantage this entire city can provide. She will be more than prepared for whatever Fate throws at her.’

Broderick brightened at that. ‘She will have the entire city behind her at this rate.’

‘She is sweet, kind and adorable. Exactly what a city of jaded vampires needs to see.’

‘We need to do something nice for the warriors. They were so wonderful earlier when they jumped in to help.’

‘What would you like to do, darling?’

Broderick chewed on his lower lip.

Caspian nipped his lover’s lips. ‘Ask and I will see it done.’

‘Could we ask Sebastian to spoil them with a meal?’

Caspian couldn’t have been more surprised at the request. Most would think to give gold, jewels, royal favor, but his mate asked for a squire-cooked meal. ‘I love you,’ he blurted out, unable to hide his feelings.

Broderick’s eyes widened before his body melted against his. ‘And I love you, so very much.’

Caspian looked around. ‘We should christen your lab,’ he suggested as his hands skimmed his mate’s back.

Broderick’s pupils dilated. ‘Christen?’

Caspian glanced from cabinet to cabinet. ‘Please tell me one of those jars or bottles we unpacked can be used as slick.’ He reached for one only to have Broderick grab his arm.

When he looked down his mate was visbly pale. ‘That’s acid!’

Caspian could almost feel his balls shrink up into his body.

‘Maybe not,’ he said, taking a step away from the cabinet.

Broderick exhaled a stuttering breath. ‘Can you imagine grabbing something like that in the heat of the moment?’ He covered his mouth with his hand as he dry heaved a bit.

Caspian couldn’t help the full body shudder that swept through him. ‘Perhaps for today you could just review notes?’

Broderick bobbed his head repeatedly. ‘Good idea.’

Caspian steered his mate over to a set of stools and sat down next to his mate. Over the next few hours he realized that though his mate was a brillant scientist, he was haphazardly organized. He must have misplaced his weekly observation notes no less than six times, putting them down in a different place each time he was done with them.

When Broderick began to rub at his eyes, Caspian got up and made a small pot of tea. Broderick absently sipped on the hot beverage as Caspian moved behind his mate to rub his shoulders. Broderick had a tendency to hunch when he read over his notes.

The more he watched, the more he tried to anticipate what Broderick would need next. He found the challenge exhilarating and the knowledge that he was helping his mate was rewarding.

Before they both knew it, there was a knock at the door. Caspian hurried over and opened it. He frowned. ‘Sebastian? Is Beth well?’ he asked quickly.

Sebastian’s brows lifted. ‘She is hungry.’

Caspian frowned. ‘You of all people would be tripping over themselves to feed her; why are you down here?’

Sebastian shook his head as he smiled. ‘So, it is going to be like that is it?’

‘What on earth are you on about?’ Caspian felt as if he were missing something.

‘Do you, by chance, have something as archaic as a clock amongst all this science and wonder?’ Sebastian asked.

Caspian opened him mouth and closed it quickly. ‘It is late, is it not?’

‘Very.’

‘Dinner?’

‘Waiting on the two of you.’

‘Gods above!’ Caspian turned and hurried over to where Broderick was shuffling through his notes, probably looking for those weekly observations again. ‘Darling, it is time for dinner.’

‘Just a minute,’ Broderick lifted a stack of papers.

Caspian took the papers from him. ‘Sebastian in here, they are waiting for us to eat. Beth is hungry,’ he informed him.

Broderick looked up at him through his glasses and blinked. ‘Dinner?’ Once the question was asked, his stomach growled loudly.

Caspian held out his arm and Broderick tucked his hand in his elbow. They met Sebastian at the door. Broderick closed the door behind them and made sure it was locked up tight.

‘So, what’s for dinner tonight?’ he asked.

‘Our Bethy will be having more of her Bas Mash, by request of course.’ Caspian chuckled as Sebastian continued. ‘For the adults we have a marinated pork loin with asparagus and baked potato.’

Broderick licked his lips. ‘Gods that sounds amazing.’ He turned to him. ‘Do you all eat like this every night?’

Caspian looked down at his mate. ‘Do you mean we eat food?’

Broderick rolled his eyes dramatically then looked to Sebastian for back up, but the squire looked as confused as he felt.

Broderick stopped and stared. ‘You don’t get it, do you?’

Both he and Sebastian shook their heads.

‘You eat a meat and vegetable every night? And the vegetables are fresh? That could be considered decadent in most of today’s society,’ he explained.

Sebastian’s frown was fierce. ‘What would be considered normal?’

Broderick shrugged. ‘A boiled potato.’

Sebastian nodded. ‘And?’

‘That’s it.’

‘What?’ Caspian asked.

‘What?’ Sebastian repeated.

‘It’s true,’ Broderick tugged on his hand until they were walking again.

‘Please tell me you and Beth had more to eat than that,’ he begged. The thought that his mate and daughter had been out there surviving off of boiled potatoes while he enjoyed the delicacies that came from Sebastian’s kitchen had him growing nauseous.

Broderick pat his arm. ‘We did, but mostly because of my profession. I had quite a few patients and we grew our own food. So, we had regular income coming in to purchase the things we needed. But even as privileged as we were, we still didn’t eat meat every night.’

Sebastian looked troubled as they entered the Rioux quarters and headed toward the dining room. When they entered Magnus looked up from playing with Beth, then frowned. ‘What is wrong?’ he asked, taking in their expressions.

Caspian held out the chair for his mate before answering his brother. ‘Broderick was surprised when Sebastian mentioned we were eating meat again tonight. Apparently most of society sustain themselves on boiled potatoes.’

‘And?’ Magnus asked.

‘That is all,’ he answered.

Magnus turned to Broderick. ‘That is what inspired your research is it not?’

Caspian blinked. Even he hadn’t made the connection.

Broderick smiled at Magnus. ‘Exactly. In more recent decades the size of families have actually been shrinking. It used to be that resources were shared amongst everyone in a village, now, families are left to fend for themselves and here in America where the land is vast, neighbors can be spread out quite far from one another.’

Sebastian stood behind Magnus with a platter in one hand and a serving for in the other. ‘Which means, if humans are not eating properly, then our people are not as well.’

Broderick held up a finger. ‘And if vampires can no longer depend on humans as a reliable source of food, who will they turn to next?’

Caspian slumped back. ‘Shifters,’ he whispered.

‘It could completely shift the power paradigm we have established, toppling our entire world,’ Magnus rasped, looking spooked.

Broderick chuckled. ‘I don’t think we’re there quite yet, but in the long run, it ‘s very possible. But, if we improve the humans diet and nutrition, then that will never happen.’

Magnus turned to Broderick. ‘How did you discover this? How has no one else seen the possible impacts?’

Broderick twisted his napkin in his hands absently. ‘I think I said this before, but there aren’t many bunny shifters left, so most of us live normal lives amongst humans. In fact, out of the four races, shifters tend to blend in the best with humans. We’re not golden and huge, sport fangs and drink blood or cast spells. We just turn into an animal sometimes. I think because I have, in essence, lived like a human my entire life, I saw their struggles more.’

‘Thank the gods for that,’ Magnus said.

‘Tank oo for Bas Mash, amen,’ Bethy said, her eyes closed and hands clasped together.

Caspian smiled broadly, she must have thought Magnus was asking for someone to say grace.

Without missing a beat they all repeated. ‘Amen.’

Beth reached into her bowl with her tiny hand and began eating her mash.

Magnus was shaking his head as he chuckled. ‘She was hungry.’

Broderick ran a hand over Beth’s curls. ‘We need to set some sort of timer so you all aren’t waiting on us again.’

‘I will see to it,’ Caspian said, resting his arm across the back of Broderick’s chair. He had a feeling he would be seeing to a lot of the actually organizing and running of the lab from here on out.

Knowing that he would have a direct involvement in a project that would not only keep their people healthy, but also their world safe, filled him with a sense of purpose he had never had before.

He closed his eyes and said a prayer of his own.