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Chapter 23
"Ahem!"
Crimson jumped off the couch and turned around when she heard her father "clearing" his throat. Realizing she was blushing, she quickly turned to look at Renatus behind her. He leaned up on an elbow and straightened out his robe but remained mostly lying on the couch. He feigned that he was still "recovering".
Von Paine turned around and closed the Library mirror door, and took his time so that the young couple would have time to compose themselves. He then turned and walked to the desk and poured himself a brandy. Looking at the fireplace as he spoke, he kept a calm and normal voice as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you Renatus for participating in a rather unexpected experiment. It seems perception and awareness are not the only human senses that are enhanced while under the influence of my combination of stimulants and optics." He paused and then looked at them. "Apparently, mating instincts are affected as well."
Crimson took her father's lead and tone in the scientific appraisal of what happened.
"Yes father, to an obviously high degree. I think we should study this again, with proper metrics measuring our physiological changes of course."
Von Paine smiled. He had trained his daughter well.
"Of course, an excellent suggestion my dear. We'll measure and graph heartbeat and respiration for starters."
Then Von Paine look sternly at Renatus. The young man swallowed nervously.
"We must contact the Mayor right away, and also contact the police."
Now Renatus was very nervous. "Why?"
"Because I know where the child is."
Crimson and Renatus looked at each other.
"Get up and get dressed both of you. We are going to Eagle's Canyon."
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