Greg grunted and gave a nod, presumably saying that he could understand that, and Lissianna relaxed a little, but then he asked, "What else?"
She bit her lip, then admitted, "To feed in the case of an emergency."
"What kind of emergency would allow one of you to murder or rob a mortal?"
"It has happened in the past that on their travels, one of our kind--through an accident or a simple mistake--has found himself injured and without a blood supply. In that case, he may rob a local blood bank--or should he be deep in the jungle or somewhere else where his only recourse is the source--he may take what he needs," she said delicately.
Greg wasn't fooled by her phrasing. "You mean, if they're flying somewhere and the plane crashes and they're injured out in the middle of nowhere with only one or two cosurvivors, they can drain them dry, right?"'
"Yes, that sort of thing," Lissianna admitted on a sigh. "But only if absolutely necessary."
Greg nodded. "Otherwise, they're only allowed to feed from the 'source' for health reasons like your phobia?"
"Yes."
"Are there any other health reasons that would allow it?"
Lissianna nodded. "Actually, there are a few. I have a cousin and an uncle who cannot survive on bagged blood. Their bodies need a specific enzyme that dies the moment the blood leaves the body. They can consume bag after bag of the bagged blood and still starve to death."
Greg whistled through his teeth. "I wouldn't think the nanos would allow such a condition to continue."
"The nanos repair damage and attack illness, they don't correct a genetic or natural state. And whatever enzyme it is that my uncle and cousin need that the rest of us don't is a genetic anomaly and natural to them."
"Ah, I see."
"Well, that was a waste of film," Thomas said with disgust.
Lissianna blinked as the lights were switched on. The movie had ended, and, judging by her cousin's comment, she hadn't missed much while talking to Greg.
"Yeah, it was pretty bad," Juli agreed. "And I'm glad it's over, I'm starved."
"How can you be starved? You just ate a huge bowl of popcorn," Elspeth said, with amazement.
"Popcorn isn't food, it's popcorn," Vicki told her with a laugh, then turned to Greg. "What do you feel like for supper? We could boil some hot dogs, or heat up one of the pizzas."
Greg suggested, "Why don't you guys grab a snack to tide you over for a bit, and I'll make chili."
"Chili, huh?" Juli considered the matter, then asked, "Over fries?"
"And with cheese," Vicki added, looking excited.
"Whatever floats your boat," Greg laughed, getting to his feet and reaching back to offer Lissianna a hand up.
"If I asked you to take me home, would you?"
Lissianna glanced up from the magazine she'd been leafing through and stared at Greg. He was stirring his chili and not looking her way, which was probably good, because if her expression reflected her feelings, it would be a mass of confusion. Her mind was awhirl with the thoughts Greg's question provoked. She'd set him free the first time out of guilt. She still felt that guilt. More so now that Uncle Lucian was being brought into the situation, making Greg's position precarious. Were he to argue his case convincingly enough, Lissianna very much feared that--despite her mother's anger and the threat he might represent to them--she could again be convinced to return him to his apartment.
"It would get me in a lot of trouble," was all she said, but the grin that immediately curved his lips suggested Greg knew she could be convinced to set him free.
"Well, don't worry, I won't ask," he said reassuringly.
His comment startled a "Why?" out of Lissianna.
Greg considered the question as he peered into the oven to check the fries. He was proving to be something of a domestic wizard. The man even knew what a whisk was for, which was fortunate, Lissianna supposed, because she was lost in the kitchen. He'd have starved if he'd had to wait for her to cook for him.
Luckily for Greg and the twins, while the Argeneau kitchen was usually bare of food, it was outfitted with all the dishes, cookware, and appliances of the usual kitchen. They did occasionally have parties that were catered, and Marguerite liked to be prepared for any eventuality.
"It's hard to explain," Greg said finally. "Finding out about your people is rather like running across friendly aliens. Who wouldn't want to find out more about you?"