Chapter 11

ELEVEN

L ucas laughed and pulled her fully against his chest, uncaring of the council’s disapproving looks.

“No fire breathing,” he murmured in her ear. “Though I could show you what else I can do.”

Emma’s pulse jumped. “For real?”

“For real,” he agreed, letting his fangs drop just enough for her to feel them against her neck.

Her scent bloomed with attraction.

“If you two are quite finished,” Malcolm cut in icily, “we have serious matters to discuss.”

“More serious than the fact that shifter genetics are the most amazing thing I’ve ever studied and I might actually be able to help your species survive?” Emma straightened but didn’t leave the circle of Lucas’s arms.

“Though I’d need to run tests, preferably with blood samples from both forms. Your genetic structure is a scientific miracle and I really want to help and?—”

Lucas pressed his lips to her temple, cutting off her babble. There was no doubt. She was meant for him, meant for their people. A mind brilliant enough to solve their crisis wrapped in a package brave enough to face down their dangers with nothing but curiosity and a paper clip.

“The council needs to discuss this development,” one of the elders announced formally.

“Ooh, are you going to?—”

“Emma,” Lucas rumbled against her ear.

“Right. I’ll just...” She mimed zipping her lips, then immediately unzipped them. “But if you do shift, could I maybe take just one tiny DNA sample? For comparison purposes?”

Iris stood, commanding attention with the kind of natural authority that made Emma whisper “I want to grow up to be like her.”

“It seems clear,” Iris announced, “that not only has Dr. Greene already discovered our nature, but she’s potentially advanced our understanding of our own genetics further in one day than our researchers have in decades.”

She smiled warmly at Emma. “And she did so while treating our differences as fascinating rather than frightening. When was the last time any of us met a human whose first response to seeing a shifter was to try to help them?”

“While attempting to measure their muscle density,” one elder muttered, but he sounded more amused than angry now.

“The fertility crisis grows worse by the month,” Iris continued. “We need fresh perspectives. New approaches. And perhaps...” Her knowing gaze flickered between Lucas and Emma, “some new blood in our gene pool wouldn’t be amiss.”

Emma brightened. “Oh! You mean controlled genetic variation through careful introduction of compatible human DNA?” She glanced up at Lucas, blushing.

Malcolm jumped up from his seat and several elders scooted uncomfortably in their chairs. “Absolutely not. No human DNA?—”

Iris exerted power from her position of authority. “I move to officially sanction Dr. Greene’s research theories,” Iris said firmly. “And to grant her full access to our genetic records and medical facilities.” She paused, eyes twinkling. “Provided she promises not to attempt sample collection during any more security incidents.”

“Fine. No science during attacks. But speaking of samples...”

Malcolm returned to his chair calmly. “If the council is determined to allow this... irregular situation, I withdraw my objections. Though perhaps we could continue this discussion without Dr. Greene’s running commentary on my nephew’s genetic structure?”

“You’re just jealous because your DNA isn’t as interesting as his,” Emma muttered, then clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, crap. I said that out loud.”

Lucas couldn’t contain his laugh this time, the sound rolling through the chamber and making several elders jump. His fearless little scientist, taking on his uncle with nothing but sass and curiosity.

“The council approves Dr. Greene’s appointment,” Iris declared, not bothering to hide her own amusement. “Though perhaps you two should continue your... scientific discussions... somewhere more private. Before my son’s control slips completely.”

“His control is already compromised,” Emma observed cheerfully. “His pupils are doing the vertical thing again, and… Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Iris said warmly. “It’s about time someone kept him on his toes. Though perhaps save the detailed biological analysis of mate-claiming for after the council meeting?”

“Right. Yes. Good idea. Though I do have some questions about traditional shifter mating rituals. You know, for research purposes...”

“Out,” Lucas growled, already steering her toward the door. “Before you start collecting DNA samples from the entire council.”

“But think of the data possibilities.”

The last thing they heard as the doors closed was Iris’s delighted laughter and Malcolm’s long-suffering sigh.