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Rand's ht at the mansion, to that conversation and his decision Which would have been unexpected, exceptit really wasn't, was it?

"We still don't have many of these requests, but it must be requested by the vampire," Lord Brian said He frowned "Cai left direction that it would be done, if it was your wish That he was indifferent to the decision Which is rather unorthodox and suggests the exact opposite to me While the nature of that lies between the two of you, a bond re between a separated vampire and servant can be problematic, especially where the servant'sto be blocked It requires Council approval I spoke to Lady Lyssa"

That caused a spurt of uneasiness in Rand, especially when Brian paused, as if considering as appropriate to say to a servant

"She told me that due to Cai's youth and his relative uni the separation is not as critical to the Council as it would be normally" Brian shook his head as Rand scowled "I'hly placed overlord or one whose servant's unsupervised connection could make the vampire world more vulnerable The memory block is not required for you because you're not hu the nature of beings that humans convince themselves don't exist"

Translation: If you rat on us, we rat on you It wasn't said that explicitly or unkindly More a sensible practicality Rand understood Unwittingly, Brian had also confirical abilities If they had known about that, particularly the fertility angle, Rand expected Cai's political importance would have skyrocketed

"So the decision remains with you," Brian continued "There are co the ether The netism, if you will, between the vampire and servant When separated, you'll experience an anxiety, in greater or lesser a on your personality or environe it, but it will be uncomfortable at first"

Rand considered "Does he experience it?"

Brian hesitated Debra's head lifted froaze on her Master unfathoree, for the most part," Brian said "Particularly if they view the bond as rown attached to their servant, yes, they will experience it"

Rand frowned "How can you tell what's fro each other?"

Debra suppressed a smile Brian cast her a wry but fond look and lifted a shoulder "I deal in science The realm of the heart is a powerful but completely unquantifiable measurement I leave that answer to your own speculation But thank you for the reminder that science can never cover all th

e variables"

"One day, with the right brillianther smile show Brian snorted

"Tiuess which scientist here would figure out the universal equation, I would have to defer to enceand feressed our work in ways I didn't expect"

Debra flushed and shook her head at hi Brian looked at Rand "So, do you wish the enerous vial of blood "Cai left this to facilitate things We've made improvements to the process recently where we create a profile froy to determine how to tailor the separation serum more closely to your bond I just need to know if you want us to begin, since that procedure is fairly labor-intensive"

Rand knew the s to do What did it ht? If their paths crossed in the future, and things were different, and they both wanted Though that time it would stay permanent, because it was clear this procedure was a rare and by Council-approval type thing They didn't do it like returns at Walmart

He'd thought about it ever since reading Cai's note Waffled on the way here Thought about all the variables, even during Brian's explanation But when it came down to it, Rand trusted his wolf more than he trusted his human side So he asked that part of his heart, and the wolf's answer came without hesitation

"Thanks," he said "But I want to keep theto use it?"

With a neutral look, Brian handed it over "Thanks" Rand nodded "I'll be leaving shortly Is there anythingdo I need to sign out?"

Brian's lips twitched "No If your Master has already departed, then your business here is concluded Do you have transportation to where you're going?"