2. Blood Past (Warriors of Ankh #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

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.
    “Mhairi is correct. We will leave them in Valeria’s capable hands.” Cyrus began ushering them out. Noah was the last to leave. He stared down at Eden stonily, her skin prickling under his gaze.
    Unwillingly, she lifted her chin to meet his suddenly expressive eyes. I can stay if you need me, they said.
    A few weeks ago Eden would have jumped on the unspoken offer. She would have tugged on his hand and brought him down on the cold tile beside her and shimmied into his side to collect the warmth of his comforting nearness. But now, despite his continued attempts to ‘be there for her’, she was unsure of him. Was he just following orders still? She hated him for that, because not too long ago he had been the one thing in her life she was utterly sure about. Losing something like that was almost as bad as death taking it from you.
    The pain of Noah’s betrayal sliced through her as it always did when she allowed herself time to dwell on it.
    I’ll never need you again.
    Noah flinched at the message in her eyes and allowed Cyrus to guide him from the room. The sight of her guardian leaving caused a knot of panic in her chest. “Cyrus!” She called out.
    He stopped abruptly, his brow furrowing. “Yes?”
    Eden felt silly all of a sudden. Would he laugh at her? Think her a child?

    “Eden?”
    She bit her lip and caught Valeria’s look. It was kind and understanding. Val nodded as if telling Eden to ask for what she wanted. With a heavy sigh, Eden shrugged. “Will you stay?”
    His eyes softened, something they hardly ever did, although they certainly did around Eden, which was in itself a small, special comfort to her. “Of course, if you would like me to.”
    “Yes.”
    The door shut quietly and Cyrus slid