Blood Past - By Samantha Young Page 0,8
who had grown up with a father who murdered people in their basement shuddered with fear and shooed the hope away with a scowl.
McLeish didn’t seem surprised by Cyrus’ claim which made Eden wonder if Cyrus had already proclaimed her his kin prior to their arrival. “Miss Winslow.” He nodded.
“MacDouglas.”
“Sorry?” McLeish frowned at Cyrus’ interruption.
“Miss MacDouglas. I have had her name changed to Merrit’s surname.” Well that was the first she had heard about it. To hell with poise! Eden threw him a disbelieving look, ignoring Noah’s huff of disguised laughter behind her. He knew her too well, knew she was not amused at having been manhandled out of her surname. It wasn’t like she had any great attachment to it or anything but still… he could have told her before he told this guy! She crossed her arms over her chest defensively. “Thanks for the heads up.”
Clearly well into his post-ironic phase, Cyrus ignored her sarcasm. “You are welcome.” When Noah coughed to cover another laugh, Eden threw her elbow out, catching him in the gut and winding him. At his ‘oof’, McLeish frowned at the byplay.
Cyrus sighed. “Children.”
“Hmm.”
“Well, Neil, are you going to leave the Princeps standing on your doorstep all day?” Valeria snapped, and that wicked part of Eden enjoyed the flush across the crest of McLeish’s cheeks at Val’s admonishment. So far she didn’t like this guy, mostly because he clearly had a problem with her.
McLeish stepped aside and held his hand out for them to enter. “I beg your pardon.” OK. So maybe she liked his cool accent.
There was a strong floral scent in the open hallway of the house and as her eyes took in the coats on the coat rack, the jumble of shoes below, the blue bicycle in the corner, a dirty soccer ball, she surmised that McLeish had a family. Hushed whispering from her left drew her attention, as well as Cyrus’, and she followed her guardian into the room, Noah, Valeria and McLeish at their backs.
The sitting room was a good size, but all the people in it made it seem tiny. Their souls filled the space, their essence beguiling and warm, causing saliva to build up under Eden’s tongue. Thankfully, Cyrus distracted her by spinning around to glare at McLeish. The Neith straightened his shoulders at the look, trying to appear un-intimidated. Eden waited, holding her breath, wondering what on earth had set Cyrus off.
“I believe I told you that Eden’s existence and presence in Scotland was to be kept quiet.”
“You told me to tell only those I trust. This is my family, Princeps, and Eden’s. I trust everyone in this room.” His eyes flicked to Eden and she read in them the words he hadn’t said out loud, ‘Except this one’.
Cyrus caught the look and bristled, turning to face the group of fifteen, sixteen people staring at them. The strength and power that emanated from Cyrus pulsed more vibrantly and she knew he was doing it deliberately. The faces before them grew awed. “I greatly dislike beginning introductions with a warning, but unfortunately for the safety of my daughter and the warriors protecting her, I must. If any of you breathe word of Eden’s true presence here, indeed of her true existence, I will hunt you down and you will pay the ultimate price for your treachery. Do you understand me?” The rumbled warning was received with hurried ‘Yes, Princeps,’ while their eyes sought Eden, desperate to determine what all the fuss was about. She felt her cheeks flush and tried not to squirm.
She suddenly wished she’d had time to change into a clean shirt or something.
“Good.” Cyrus nodded, satisfied he had put the fear of the gods into them. “Now on to the pleasantries. I am pleased to meet all of you and I thank you for graciously opening your homes to us, and for giving us your time. This,” he turned now to Eden, “is my daughter, Eden MacDouglas. As you are aware, Eden is here to become Ankh, and to seek aid from her mother’s mortal family. We thank you in advance for that aid.” He looked beyond Eden now. “With me is Valeria of Corsica-Well that’s a new one, Eden gave her a bemused questioning smile that Valeria returned with a wink. Suddenly Eden wondered what Cyrus was? Cyrus of…
“Who, I’m sure you know, is of The Circle, and Noah Valois, Alain Valois’ son and Eden’s escort.”
What?? Noah was her what? She scowled at