“Never listened to ‘em.”
“Oh, well I've got their albums. You should have a listen.”
“Sure, I'll check them out.”
“Cool. You're sharing my room anyway, so… cool.”
“Cool.”
Christopher cleared his throat, “I think we've established that everything is cool. October, let your nana meet Eden.”
October stood back and Eden turned as an older Neith stepped forward. She held herself regally, her hand clasped around an elegant cane. Her white hair was cut fashionably short, and her ocean-coloured eyes were amazingly bright and alert. Eden knew who this was. This was Mhairi Douglas -
not Mary like Eden had thought when she saw her name written down on Cyrus' notes. It was pronounced Vari - the Celts really liked to complicate life when it came to spelling and pronunciation. Mhairi was the eldest living member of the Douglas' and the one who would be donating her blood to Eden's cause. Unbelievably, Eden had been informed that Mhairi was eighty-eight years old. She didn't look a day over sixty. But her age explained the cane. Neith were very resilient and healthful people. You had to be hitting the really elderly age bracket to be walking with a cane.
“Well let's have a look at you.” Mhairi peered at her, those incredibly lively eyes running the length of her. She huffed as if disbelieving and turned to Cyrus. “You're right, Princeps. This has to be one o' mine. The hair, the skin, the shape o' the eyes. Definitely one o' mine. The surname fits.
Do you know I rather envy you it. Our family dropped the prefix Mac a few centuries ago when one o' my great-great grandfathers married a Sassenach and she convinced him Douglas was more civilised sounding than MacDouglas. ”
What was a Sassenach?
“An Englishman,” Noah murmured in her ear, and she ignored the shiver that cascaded down her spine at the feel of his breath on her neck. She twisted around to frown at him. OK, she knew he was good at reading her, but how could he possibly read her when her back was to him?
“I could have changed it I suppose but I was too busy hunting, unlike my lazy ancestor.
Fortunately his son was a magnificent hunter and got our family legacy back on track. He had your colouring. Yes, aye,” she turned to Cyrus, “This one is definitely one o' mine.” He nodded. “Thank you for doing this Ms Douglas.”
“Please call me Mhairi.” She shooed away his formality. “And I'm happy to do it. It's a nice change o' pace in fact.” Mhairi grinned at Eden. “The first time in this long life o' mine that I'll be getting rid o' a soul eater without killing the bugger.”
Eden frowned. “Am I the bugger in that sentence?”
The old woman chuckled. “Only for the next twenty four hours.” She turned back to Cyrus. “Shall we begin?”
“Already?” Eden squeaked. She started to lose control of her heart rate. She hadn't realised this would be happening so soon.
Cyrus nodded and she felt Val squeeze her hand. “We should get it over with, Eden.” She gulped and glanced back up into Mhairi's eyes. “Are you sure you're OK to do this?”
“I can get by without a pint o' blood, don't you be worrying about that.” Suddenly the room felt very warm as the hunger realised death was imminent. It burst into flames inside of her and began screaming at all those souls so close.
So close. Take. Need. Want. No! Take. Need. Need. NEED!
She shuddered and clutched harder to Val's hand. “OK. Then let's do this.” Chapter Three
Leaving Your Ass
in the Dust
The Douglas' bathroom was a good size but it felt seriously diminished by the number of people inside of it.
Eden looked around at them with narrowed eyes, her teeth grinding together. She couldn't believe she was going to have to do this in front of them. Was it really necessary? They were asking her to put someone else's blood into her. Actual human blood?! And there was to be witnesses to this weirdness?
Valeria knelt beside Mhairi Douglas, a needle, tube and blood bag in hand. “Are you ready?” she asked the older woman quietly.
Mhairi gazed at Eden and her eyes sharpened. She tutted and turned to look up at the gathering.
“No one needs to see the girl do this.”
There was grumbling as Eden nodded gratefully, still too anxious to offer a smile of gratitude.