Page 112 of Tamed By Her Touch

Kaelus highlighted a tiny molecular structure which appeared in every one of the Titus Four samples.

“This compound—right here.”

Sendar frowned.

“I don’t know.”

“Is it some kind of dietary supplement?” Kaelus asked.

The other male shrugged.

“Possibly.”

Kaelus frowned. He searched the local chemical index—no match. He pulled up the Glenvarren samples but again, the compound was absent. He checked five more Titus Four males and found the compound present in them. Then he checked another ten—also present. Every single one of the Titus Four samples carried it…whatever it was.

Kaelus sat back slowly.

“That is interesting,” he murmured.

Sendar’s mouth tightened.

“It is probably some local dietary metabolite,” he said, shrugging again.

“Perhaps.” Kaelus enlarged the structure. “But it appears in every male sample from Titus Four at remarkably similar concentrations.”

“Most of us eat similar foods,” Sendar said.

Kaelus frowned.

“No population eats so identically that an incidental dietary metabolite remains this consistent.”

Sendar gave him a look he couldn’t interpret.

“You are making rather a lot of assumptions based on a single unidentified compound, don’t you think, Doctor Kaelus.”

“No, but I do think you are dismissing my findings remarkably quickly,” Kaelus growled.

Their eyes locked and for several seconds neither spoke…then Sendar’s lips twitched up in a condescending smile.

“Forgive me,” he said smoothly. “I am not accustomed to researchers arriving here and becoming overly excited about minor biochemical differences.”

“I am not overly excited,” Kaelus told him. “This is a significant finding.”

Sendar shrugged.

“As you wish.”

His nonchalant attitude when they were supposed to be working to save lives irritated Kaelus so much he wished he could punch the other male. But that would be neither professional nor productive. Instead he asked through clenched teeth,

“Can I copy the molecular signature?”

Sendar nodded.

“Certainly. That level of data is permitted under your temporary access.”

“Good,” Kaelus said shortly.

He transferred the compound profile to his personal data slate. He was already thinking of Clair. If the compound came from a local plant, there was a good chance she might recognize part of the structure after spending the day with Maera. The thought of showing it to her caused an unexpected warmth in his chest.