This book is NOT related to The Stars Lie or All The Queens Horses. It's a standalone book. It's just an alternate reality with the same characters, so you can read it in any order.

Chapter 1 – Aphrodisiacs

My eyes adjusted to the reduced lighting as I stepped out of the dazzling sun down the cement steps into Myrnin's lair. I should be frightened out of my mind. Everyone else was. And for good reason. Myrnin was a cold-blooded killer.

But I couldn't find it in my heart to be afraid. I had seen so many other sides to him – playful, mischievous, brilliant, sensitive and vulnerable – parts he kept hidden from everyone, except me.

His trust in me was absolute and without condition. Because we had been through hell together and survived to tell the tale. I cringed as the memory of those dark days washed over me.

Bouts of insanity had crushed him as the sickness had grown worse. His suffering had been extreme to the point where he locked himself in a cage rather than hurt me. Every time reality slipped through his grasp, the monster inside had sprung to life – and it wanted my blood. It wanted to devour every bit of me.

He fought it.

Unlike anyone I had ever seen fight before.

He fought his deepest and darkest desires.

For me.

I had learned to help him. I had trained my body to not respond with fear and held my ground. Soothing him with softly spoken words, I had reminded him of the truth – he didn't want to hurt me, he loved me. He loved me because I refused to turn my back on him. I would rather risk my life than ever give up on him. And together we had found a cure for that awful disease; that had stripped him to the bone and laid him bare.

I shook my head and pushed those thoughts out of my mind. A familiar excitement took their place. I absolutely adored learning from him. "Myrnin?" I called out almost giddily. My eyes quickly scanned the lab for his presence. Hmmm, no sign of him. I tapped my foot impatiently and demanded loudly, "Myrnin, get your ass out here and focus on me!"

"So demanding..." he drawled, stepping out of his bedroom. He was only half dressed. Dark jeans hung low on his hips, accenting his strong and muscular legs. His chest was bare, revealing his thick and powerful arms; a complete contrast to the vampire bunny slippers on his feet. He grumbled, "I was busy."

I ignored his fussiness and grinned. "What are we working on today?"

The corners of his mouth turned up.

He could never stay mad at me. All I had to do was turn his attention back to his latest project. I followed him to one of the tall lab tables and settled myself on a high stool, as he fiddled with various chemicals.

"Aphrodisiacs," he answered absentmindedly.

I blinked. "What?"

"An aphrodisiac is..." he began.

I cut him off, "I know what an aphrodisiac is. How the hell are you studying them?"

He ignored my question. Instead he asked, "Would you like a drink?"

I raised an eyebrow and asked pointedly, "Do you have anything other than O-negative?"

He rolled his eyes and reached behind him, extracting a bottle of vodka from another lab table. He set it down in front of me. He didn't even bother to offer me a cup.

"Are you serious? It's the middle of the day. And what makes you think I'm going to want to drink hard liquor? Don't you have any beer or wine coolers tucked behind you?"

He grinned, "I didn't want to half-ass the experiment."

I understood then and breathed, "Oh, you are testing the effect of alcohol on your libido."

He nodded and went back to measuring out chemicals into an unknown concoction.

A new realization hit me. I waved my finger in the air and told him firmly, "Oh no, no, no...We are not going to test my libido."

He looked up at me and asked in confusion, "Why not?"

I laughed, "Because I do not want to spend the next five hours sexually frustrated."

He smirked suggestively, "I could take care of that for you."

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "Slow down there, big boy. Let's keep it to the science." Myrnin was always teasing and making jokes with me, trying to embarrass me.

He pouted playfully, "Fine...You are no fun. Would you grab the book on the couch and read to me page 35?"

I jumped down and walked over to the couch. I picked up the ancient book. From the paper and binding, I guessed it to be dated in the 1700s. I carefully opened the pages and squeaked as I realized what it contained, "Myrnin, what the hell is this?!"

I sunk down onto the cushions of the couch in surprise, astounded as I thumbed through the brittle pages to find quite graphic images of people engaged in numerous sexual acts.