She nodded. “As I said, I’ve always needed more. I can’t share why.”

“Hmm.” Carwyn scratched the heavy stubble of his beard. Unlike Murphy, he preferred to wear facial hair even though it took ages for vampire hair to grow. Combined with his size, deep auburn hair, and roughly handsome face, it gave the old earth vampire a wild and dangerous look. But as there were few who’d challenge him anyway, Anne suspected he kept the beard for his own pleasure. There was little to no artifice around Carwyn ap Bryn.

“The simple solution is that you need to be feeding more,” Carwyn said. “Your body is healthy, but your amnis must be starved if you’re having trouble controlling bloodlust at your age. Your mind was accustomed to a certain level of human blood, and then you cut it off. You essentially put your amnis on a diet your mind wasn’t prepared for.”

“But why isn’t animal blood enough? You drink nothing but animal blood.”

“That is what I have drunk for most of the past thousand years. And I hunt. Wild animals, not domestic. Elder vampires will tell you domestic blood does not have enough of the fifth element to feed our energy.” He glanced at Murphy. “And I’m mated, Anne. That has made a difference. Brigid does not keep to a strict animal diet. She drinks from our household staff. Taking her blood has made me far stronger.”

“What are you suggesting?”

Was Carwyn going to suggest she renew her mating bond with Murphy just to regain her health?

That wasn’t going to happen. If and when she took his blood, Anne didn’t want it to be for health reasons or out of desperation. Murphy deserved better than to be the option of last resort.

Carwyn said, “You need to drink living blood to set your system to rights. A lot of it.”

Murphy said nothing, but she could almost hear his “I told you so” in her mind. She knew Carwyn was probably thinking the same thing.

“Anne hasn’t asked, so I will,” Murphy said, speaking quickly. “Would you or Brigid give her some blood? She would prefer not to drink mine, and I believe she needs an infusion of amnis. Even more than just drinking from humans. You’re the only two vampires in Dublin that we can ask.”

“I agree about the blood,” Carwyn said. “I was going to suggest Tywyll, but I know he’s often hard to track down, and I think you need blood immediately. I can sense the… I’ll call it an imbalance. Your hunger is obvious to others, which presents as a weakness we cannot afford in foreign territory. I do offer, my friend. If you have need.”

“I don’t want to ask.” Anne blinked back tears and tried to ignore the simmering anger from Murphy.

“You’re not asking; I’m offering. After all you’ve given of your time and friendship for Brigid and me? You know either of us would be happy to help you in any way we can. Will you take it, please?”

She nodded, and Carwyn rose to his feet.

“Let me get you a glass. That will make things more comfortable for both of us.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as Carwyn left the room, Anne turned to Murphy. “Patrick—”

“I’m going to go.” His jaw was clenched. “I can accept the necessity of this, but don’t ask me—”

“I wasn’t going to,” she said. “Thank you for understanding.”

“I don’t understand,” he said, his voice low. “I’m sitting next to you, and yet you won’t… I need to leave.”

Anne put her hand on his arm. “Patrick, I’m not doing this to hurt you.”

“What then?” His jaw tensed. “To test me?”

“It’s not a test. I just… I want—”

“What?” he snapped, rousing Brigid from her sleep.

The small woman leapt to her feet, twin pools of flame in her palms, glaring at Murphy with clouded eyes and bared fangs.

“Brigid”—Anne leaped between Murphy and her friend—“it’s just us. We’re fighting is all. There’s no danger.”

“Anne, get back!” Murphy tried to shove her to the side, but Anne was unmoved, even as she felt Murphy wrap her in a layer of water drawn from the moisture in the air. The young vampire snarled as footsteps came pounding down the hall.

“Hello, my lovely girl,” Carwyn said, sliding his arms around Brigid from behind. He curled his body over her, putting his cheek to hers and wrapping both arms around her waist, his eyes fixed on the fire in her hands. “Calm, love. You’re among friends.”

Anne was about to call on the water in the air to douse the flames, but Brigid sank into her mate, her body softening as he drew her heat into his body. The flames disappeared as the fire vampire drew a deep breath. Anne relaxed. She glanced over her shoulder at Murphy, whose fangs were down; he looked ready to lunge toward the tiny woman. She put a hand on his arm and he fell back.

“What’s going on?” Brigid said, her voice hoarse. “Why’s Anne and Murphy here?”

“Anne’s not feeling well, my love.”

“I told you that last night.” Brigid nuzzled into his neck. “Something all wrong with her amnis. ’S obvious.”

“I’m so glad you shared your concerns with me,” Anne said sharply.

“So’s you can brush ’em off? D’you kill anyone yet?” She slurred her words, still drowsy. “Told Murphy… So damn stubborn ’bout asking for help.”