Noah caught Cyrus’ eyes as Eden’s hard, wracking sobs finally grew quiet and her body stilled.
Her soft breathing eased some of his tension as she finally fell asleep. He opened his mouth to speak and Cyrus shook his head, standing up and gesturing to the door. He and Valeria followed the Princeps out, unsurprised to find Christopher and October standing in the hallway with curious, pained looks on their faces.
“Is she alright?” Christopher whispered, and Noah read the genuine concern in his eyes. For not the first time since their arrival in Edinburgh, Noah wished Christopher was the Scottish Councilman.
There was something he didn’t like or trust about McLeish. For a start he knew the man abhorred the idea of Eden. Cyrus knew it too. They had known it wouldn’t be easy bringing her in amongst the Neith, but still it made his blood boil to think of anyone causing her harm, emotional or physical.
Christopher was a different story. All of the Douglas’ were, including October. They were amazingly open-minded, and if Noah wasn’t wrong, more curious and awed by the idea of Eden than anything else.
Cyrus shook his head, his face calm and expressionless now that he was in company. Only moments before in the bedroom his eyes had been full of impotent pain. “I am afraid Eden is suffering a crisis of conscience about her past.”
Noah stiffened, hating her guilt even more as it was admitted out loud. She had nothing to feel guilty for! She had been brave and courageous to get through her life with the Winslows as unscathed as she had.
October frowned. “I’m confused. I thought you said she hadn’t done anything. That she wasn’t completely awakened.”
Her father stiffened at his daughter’s informal and challenging tone in front of the Princeps.
“October-”
“It is fine,” Cyrus cut off his admonishment and eyed October, who now squirmed under his direct focus. “October, fear not, I did not lie. Eden has done nothing of which to be ashamed.
Unfortunately, now that her Ankh soul has taken hold, she feels all the responsibility and weight of her duty and with it the guilt for having not seen to that duty when her soul eater family committed their crimes.”
October screwed up her face. “But it wasn’t her fault so what’s her problem?” Noah bristled at her attitude. “How would you feel knowing your father was raping and torturing people in your basement and there was not a damn thing you could do about it-”
“Noah.” Cyrus touched his arm as October blanched at his forthright and biting retort.
“Is there anything we can do?” Christopher asked quietly.
“You have done so much already, friend. But if I could ask young October to make other sleeping arrangements for tonight.”
October nodded, her curious eyes glued to her bedroom door. “Do you think she’ll be OK?”
“Yes,” Valeria answered with a certainty that eased the tight ache in Noah’s chest. “The intensity of it will fade quickly… although I doubt it will ever leave her completely.” Surprised, Noah tried to catch the Ankh’s gaze but she lowered her eyes. He wanted to reach out to her and squeeze her arm in comfort but he knew she would never allow it. Noah hadn’t realised Valeria carried her own kind of guilt around. He wondered what she had done during her time as one of the Unforeseen.
“For now let us leave her to sleep.” Cyrus heaved a weary sigh.
“Can I stay with her?” Noah asked without even thinking about it.
Cyrus seemed to hesitate before he eyed him carefully. “Yes. She might need you when she wakes.”
Chapter Seven. Breakfast with Clan Douglas
The overwhelming despair from the night before had vanished as quickly as it had arrived.
Unfortunately for Eden it hadn’t taken the guilty conscience with it. That morning she’d awoken to find Noah sleeping in the computer chair beside her bed, his neck craned at an uncomfortable angle, his features strained with worry.
The sight of him was almost enough to make her crumble a little, to wish that she could trust him.
But worrying about trusting Noah was the last thing she had time to think about. Seeming to feel her eyes on him, Noah had awakened and she’d immediately asked for Valeria.
Val would be able to explain what the hell had happened to her last night.
And she had.
Val had also promised that the guilt Eden felt for letting Ryan kill so many people wouldn’t disappear overnight, but that the intensity of grief from the night before would — it was merely Eden’s new body and spirit acclimating to her past. The paradox between the two was what had caused her mind and body to go into shock. Eden thought she understood. She was trying to anyway. At the moment, she was just glad that it was over. She had honestly felt as if she were going to die from the pain of her past memories.
Now she was just kind of embarrassed. She stood at the top of the stairs of the Douglas’ home, readying herself to join them for breakfast. It was the weekend, so they were all home. Great.
Drawing in a deep breath, Eden made her way downstairs, pleased by the strength in her limbs and how clearheaded she felt.
Christopher sat at the head of a mahogany table littered with food — eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast, syrup, sausages and some ‘English breakfasty’ looking stuff, alien and unfamiliar to her. She swallowed, eyeing this weird black patty thing. OK, stuff that would remain alien and unfamiliar to her.
“Eden.” Cyrus and Noah both rose from their chairs, an old fashioned gesture that made her smirk.
She nodded at them all, blinking in surprise at Christopher and his wife, Alison’s, friendly greetings.
She took the seat across from October, between Cyrus and Mhairi.
“Feeling better?” Mhairi smiled at her knowingly.
Eden nodded. “Much. Thanks for the makeover. Your blood did good.” Mhairi seemed to enjoy the remark, her eyes twinkling. “You’re very welcome.”
“Eden, help yourself.” Alison leaned around Cyrus to speak to her. “There’s plenty of everything and you must be starving. You haven’t eaten anything in a while.” Nodding in quiet thanks Eden reached over and started piling her plate with eggs, bacon and sausages. She felt them all watching her and tried to force a blush down as she awkwardly bypassed the food she didn’t recognise.
“Have some black pudding.” Mhairi nudged her with her elbow, pointing at the weird black patty thing. “It’s awfae good.”
Eden wrinkled her nose. “What is it?”
“It’s-”
“Och don’t tell her, Nana.” October grimaced. “You should have waited for her to eat it before you told her.”
Glowering at the girl, Eden sat back in her chair. “I’m guessing it’s gross then.” Taking a bite of it, Noah shook his head. He swallowed. “Actually it’s quite nice.”
“Yeah but what is it?”
“Pork blood, fats, oats, barley, some spices….”
Her gag reflex immediately kicked in and she shook her head. “I’ve had enough blood for this week thank you very much.”
Mhairi nudged her again. “Good one.”
Eden eyed her in amusement. It was hard to believe the Neith was in her eighties. She seemed more a mischievous teenager than someone on social security.
“It’s not as disgusting as it sounds,” October assured her and as soon as she caught Eden’s gaze her fork clattered to her plate. “Your eyes are a totally different colour… what the hell?”
“The transition,” Valeria explained succinctly, taking a sip of coffee.
Eden eyed the beverage. “Can I have some?”