Reese left while Wren was making drinks. Something about a salon appointment or another. Wren pulled two mugs from above the counter.

“I only have cold donor blood. I can heat it up for you if you’d like?”

“I would like that... Señor?” He says it questioningly, unsure.

“Please, just Wren will be fine. You can take a seat in the study if you’d like.” Wren heard him move through the kitchen behind her and enter the small sectioned off area of the living room. It wasn’t much, but the silencing spells surrounding it made it the safest place to talk in probably the whole neighborhood.

As Wren placed a donor bag into the hot pot of water, they thought they could hear children scrambling across the ceiling. They smiled. It seemed the Blake kids were finally awake. They needed to remember to bring their mother more medicine for her morning sickness. The now warm blood went into a mug shaped like a cat head; it was the most “adult” mug Wren had. Their tea went into a unicorn mug.

Damen was looking over the bookshelves in the study now. He seemed thoughtful.

“Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable.”

He smiled at them as he sat facing the desk. Wren slid onto the edge of the wooden desk after handing him his mug. “You have a wide variety of books here.” They nodded.

“I like to learn things. Plus it helps to have sources from many places when it comes to magick. I’m sure you’re aware of how exacting it can be.”

Wren paused, watching him sip his drink.

“You know, I can’t help but wonder how you found out about me and my.. success in treating vampires. It’s not common knowledge.”

He chuckled a bit. “Señora, ah, perdón, Wren, when we heard that there was a way to allow vampires to use medicine, the vampire world rejoiced. But, when no one was rewarded for this amazing discovery, many thought the worst. Perhaps, the researcher was punished or killed for aiding vampires. It would not be the first time. However, what motivated our search, even more than the gratitude we had, was the thought that this researcher knew more about vampires. Things that would allow vampires to be dependent on their own. Thus, Lune began the search mere hours after the discovery was announced, and here we are now.”

He took a breath.

“You were right to assume I had spoken to Reese about recruiting you for Lune. He laughed at the idea, to be frank. But, I’m aware of how much you use your talents to aid the lower class vampires. You do a good job of hiding any paper trail, but people on every poor corner sing your praises. I cannot help but wonder at why you hide your involvement. Were we right in assuming that your life is in danger from unseen forces?”

Wren smiled sadly at him. “I assure you, I am safe. It’s not about the recognition or the money. either. If too many people pay attention to me, I can’t do what I love anymore.”

“What's that?”

“This,” Wren gestured around. “If people knew me as the one who made a breakthrough that big, do you really think I could continue working in the slums? Rich would demand my care, and quite frankly, I would despise caring for the elite few. I have had too much of that already in my life.” They laughed sourly. “All I want is to help people, and I do that best here.”

“I feel the same way,” Damen is suddenly very animated. “I truly want to help my people, the ones who are unable to help themselves. Lune is willing to pay you whatever it takes for your help. I'm prepared to offer you half a million dollars as your yearly salary, along with all expenses regarding the creation of a substitute. Por favor, tell me you will help us?”

Wren watched him closely for a few moments as he seemed to hold his breath. His sudden passion surprised them; it was as though he actually understood. Finally, they set their mug on the desk next to them.

“I want $62,400, paid to me directly in payments of $5,200 on the first of each month, starting next month. I want all ingredients I use to create tests to be reimbursed as soon as possible. I will make a list of supplies I use, and the reimbursement cost of each. I expect your accountants to review it weekly. I will report any findings directly to you, and you alone. You must sign a contract stating that all my findings will be kept anonymous unless I specifically request otherwise. “ Wren stood, stepping towards Damen.

“And most importantly, I want a guarantee that any treatments derived from all or in part of any research I create, will be made affordable to the public. If, at any point, treatments are price gouged, or even raised the slightest out of the budget of the impoverished, Lune Industries and all subsidiaries forfeit all rights to produce, sell, or manage all products created with the help of my research.”

Damen leapt up and grabbed their outstretched hand. “It’s a deal! You won’t regret this cariña, I swear to you.”

Wren smiled politely at him. “I sure hope not, Mr. Renaros.”

“Please, call me Damen.”