She took the small child, and Murphy looked away while the pair exchanged a tender kiss and a few quiet words.

Assassin and human might have been an unlikely pairing, but Murphy could feel the connection between them. It was like a banked fire, its heat no less intense for its quiet.

Anne took Murphy’s hand and led him into the drawing room off the entryway where a fire had already been lit. Winter was approaching, and the chill in the old house reminded Murphy why he preferred modern construction. He was just pouring drinks for Anne and himself when Baojia entered. The man paused, then extended a shallow bow.

“I apologize for my informality earlier. I am Chen Baojia, lieutenant of Katya Grigorieva of San Francisco. I thank you for your invitation and welcome to both me and my family.”

Murphy could appreciate this formal side of the soldier. He returned the bow and said, “You are welcome. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. Terry speaks very highly of you.”

Baojia said nothing, but he nodded toward Anne and took the seat across from her. “Thank you, also, for welcoming my wife. Though she has little trouble making friends, I am glad you were able to meet with her earlier.”

“Natalie is a very interesting woman,” Anne said. “I enjoyed our visit.”

“Not that I don’t enjoy conversation,” Murphy said, “but can I ask why you are here?”

“Of course. And thank you. I am not overly fond of political small talk.” Baojia took a thin folder from his jacket, no larger than the size of a billfold. He placed the leather folder on the table between them and opened it, revealing what looked like a testing kit of some kind. There was small meter with a needle-sharp prong at the base, an empty tube, and three small bottles of different colored liquids with droppers in them.

“Is that a testing kit?” Anne said.

“Yes.”

“For blood sugar?”

“That’s where we got the idea,” Baojia said. “But it doesn’t test sugar. It tests for Elixir.”

Murphy froze. “How?

“Lucien has isolated the protein in human blood that he believes Elixir attacks and mutates. This testing kit targets that protein. The testing fluid with tainted blood will turn bright blue if any mutated protein is detected.”

“And how accurate is this?”

They knew that humans who’d taken Elixir smelled like pomegranate, but a smell-test was hardly the most accurate, even among vampires.

“Preliminary results are promising.”

Anne said, “I hear a ‘but…’”

Baojia smiled. “But we’re hoping you can help with that.”

“How’s that?”

“As a country, Ireland has the highest number of Elixir cases we’ve seen among our allies. While our testing in California has been productive, we simply don’t have the necessary sample size to test it further.”

Murphy took a moment, taking a sip of his whiskey while inside he was leaping with much the same excitement as he’d had over Declan’s new tablet.

“What is Katya asking for?”

“Numbers, mainly.” He spread his hands. “Access to the humans you have here, and safe passage for Lucian’s crew while they’re working. We know you have a dedicated medical facility for infected humans, which is the other reason Lucien wants to test here. The trial kits will be yours, and you’ll receive discounted pricing once the tests go to market if they prove to be successful. All we need is your permission.”

Anne took his hand and squeezed it. Murphy nodded. There was nothing to lose, and only knowledge to gain.

“You can tell Katya permission has been granted. You’re familiar with Brigid?”

“I am.”

“Coordinate with her and my first lieutenant, Tom Dargin, when the time comes. They’ll be able to work out the details with you.”

“I’ll make sure to meet with them tomorrow evening if that works with their schedule. I have a call with Katya and Lucien before then.”

Murphy nodded, still staring at the tiny kit.

It could change everything.

Anne leaned forward and touched the edge of the table.

“He’s isolated the protein,” Anne said. “Does that mean… Is he close to a cure?”

Baojia said nothing at first, but Murphy could see the barely contained excitement in the black eyes of their visitor.

“Officially? We’re still researching all avenues of study in human and vampire Elixir infection.”

Murphy said, “And unofficially?”

“He’s close.”

MURPHY lay in bed that night with Anne at his side and the water of the Liffey River close enough to lull him to sleep.

“A chuisle mo chroí,” he heard his mate whisper. “You are the pulse of my heart, Patrick Murphy.”

He rolled toward her, eyes half-closed. “Does that mean my restriction is lifted?”

“Not… yet. But maybe soon.”

Anne was still wary about Murphy taking her vein. In the six months since she’d been infected, she’d shied away every time he came close. It had frustrated him at first. Then it had angered him, and they’d had more than a few vicious fights.

But then Murphy realized that Anne was petrified at the thought of any lingering Elixir in her system affecting him. She feared harm coming to him more than she feared his anger.

So Murphy had taken a deep, unnecessary breath and decided to let it go.