Blood Past

chapter Twenty One

Dude… do you love me?

“So, you seem happy…” Val commented softly as Eden poured them both a cup of coffee. For once, they were alone in the house. The Douglas’ were at work, Tobe at school, Mhairi had gone to an over-6os swimming club, and Noah and Cyrus were at the training centre, pretending to train as they tried to root out info on their suspected traitors. Eden had assumed once they’d killed the remaining soul eaters that Cyrus would announce they were leaving (a thought that made Eden incredibly sad) but he was determined to find out just who the traitor was. He didn’t want someone telling Arcos and her people that they were travelling back to the States. And with Christopher giving Cyrus a lead on who it might be, Eden was frustrated to be left out of the loop. She was pretty sure it was McLeish since he still treated her like crap, but Cyrus wouldn’t say anything. He just told her not to worry, that he had everything under control.

Eden slid Val her coffee thinking about her non-question. The truth was, despite how much was going on right now, she was happier than she’d ever been before. Other than some nightmares every now and then, her transition from Unforeseen to Ankh had gone amazingly, almost seamlessly. She loved the training, the fighting; her first kill had been this unbelievable moment of terror and awesomeness. Once she’d come down off the high and the whole Noah thing, Eden couldn’t believe how amazing it felt to have saved that girl’s life. And that’s what she got to do now. Six months ago she had been so scared of the future, of what the future meant for her – the fear that she would one day give into her hunger and hurt someone, or worse. That was not only over but she was facing a lifetime of the opposite. She had this mega-cool purpose, like one of the characters from her favourite manga. It was utterly cheesy… but she was like… a superhero.

“What? What is that ridiculous grin for?” Val asked smiling.

Eden shrugged. “I’m happy.” And with the happy came the guilt.

Stellan.

She pushed him away.

“Despite McLeish and the traitor?”

Yeah, despite McLeish and a lot of other things. The last week she’d suddenly realised that her time in Scotland was coming to an end, so she’d ambushed Tobe and Cameron whenever she could.

And they had fun. Like always. But Tobe was right. Cameron was still acting weird and he was a typical guy who didn’t want to talk about his feelings or whatever. Tobe was worried. Eden was worried. She really didn’t want to leave Edinburgh without knowing Tobe and Cameron were going to be alright. They were really great people and they had welcomed her, no questions asked. They had come to mean a lot to her.

Eden sighed. They had come to mean a lot to her.

OK. There was no way she was leaving Scotland without fixing things between those two. Eden snorted into her coffee. She was learning something new about herself every day. Apparently she really was a meddler. Immediately Eden thought about Mhairi; she was beginning to the see the resemblance between herself and Tobe’s Nana more and more every day.

“Things between you and Noah seem to be going well.”

Eden glanced up at Val and shot her a look for the mischievous twinkle in the Ankh’s eye. “Yes, they are.”

“That’s all? Come on. As Tobe would say… dish.”

Leaning against the counter in the kitchen, hugging the coffee mug to her chest, Eden tried desperately not to get all dreamy-eyed and gooey like those girls who swooned at their boyfriend’s feet back home. She hated those girls. She was so not turning into one of those girls. Yet… Noah made it pretty hard to resist the gooey, dreamy-eyed swooning. It hadn’t mattered where they were, over the last week if Noah could sneak in a kiss or two (or a full on makeout session) he would, pulling her into broom closets, taking advantage of an empty training room and slamming her to a mat (she still couldn’t get the better of him at hand to hand combat and he was definitely using that to his advantage) and kissing her breathless. It was exciting with Noah, and new, and something she never thought she would ever have in her life. It was her first big romance, and for once she actually felt like a normal – no, not normal - ‘human’ girl.

“It’s nice.” She smiled softly at Val.

Val frowned. “Nice? How… bland.”

“Hey, nice is HUGE considering where my life was six weeks ago, OK.” Val laughed. “I stand corrected then. I’m glad it’s nice. It has been nice here. I’ll be sad to go.”

“Me too. I’m going to miss the Douglas’ and Cameron. I became a brand new person here.

Someone I actually like. The kind of person I always wanted to be.” Eden worried her lip, suddenly anxious if things would change once they returned to the States.

“Eden.” Val reached for her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, her exotic eyes full of more understanding than anyone else would ever be able to give her. “Leaving here won’t change who you’ve become. Look at me… it’s thousands of years later and I like to think I’m still a decent person.”

That warmth she got in her chest when Cyrus made some fatherly comment lit up inside her as Val tried to comfort her. “Val, you’re a great person. I could never have gotten through this without you.”

“Yes you could have. But I’m glad I could help.”

Although it was true Eden was more content than she’d ever been, and true that she had gotten good at pushing her grief over Stellan into the background (although she could never escape him in her dreams), Eden was still holding onto him. She felt guilty for feeling happy with Noah and guilty for still feeling Stellan’s loss even though he had been a soul eater. Sometimes she felt like Val would be the only one who understood that… so she took a chance. “I miss him, Val.” Hearing the quiet heartbreak in Eden’s voice, Val froze. “Your brother?”

“I keep trying to tell myself that I shouldn’t. That he was hurting people. But all I can remember is that he never hurt me; that he loved me.”

Val nodded. “You don’t have to hate him, Eden. Grieve for him. That’s nobody’s business but yours.”

“You don’t think it’s wrong?”

“From all that you’ve told me, I think Stellan was a rare soul eater. He loved you even more than the hunger; he loved you enough to try to be something better. And he did protect you.” A huge sigh rushed through her body and Eden relaxed back against the counter, taking another comforting sip of her coffee. It was incredible how much better she felt knowing that Val knew she was still grieving for Stellan. As if admitting it out loud somehow let him know that she hadn’t forgotten. God… she didn’t know what she’d do without Val in her life.

A horrible thought struck her. She’d never questioned where Val lived or what would happen to her when they got back to the States. “You’re coming back with us right? To Weston?” The Ankh’s eyes lit up before she could bank the spark and conceal her feelings. “I could do that if you wanted me to.” She shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant.

Eden’s heart thudded unhappily. “Why… where do you normally live?”

“Maui. But I’ve been taking a lot of assignments recently… so all over really.” Eden looked at her feet. Weston couldn’t really compete with Maui. “I wouldn’t want to… you know… make you feel… obligated.”

Val huffed, “Eden, I’d be happy to come live in Weston. Cyrus’ house is certainly big enough for one more Ankh.”

The choking lump she’d felt rising in her throat began to dislodge. “So you don’t think Cyrus would mind another Ankh in the house? It wouldn’t make us targets or anything?” Val snorted. “It would take one of the gods to find a way past Cyrus’ security, Eden. Don’t worry about the Princeps. If you want me in Weston, in Weston I shall be.”

“You’re sure? I’m not like taking you away from anything or…?” She snorted again and dumped her mug in the sink. “Only boredom.” She turned and they shared a warm look that drew the tension out of Eden. She wouldn’t be alone.

And then an unsettling thought occurred to her. “Uh oh.”

“What?”

Eden grimaced, throwing Val a beseeching look. “Are you up for being the buffer between me and Noah’s dad?”

“Ahh.” Val’s eyes lit with comprehension. “Alain has some way to go when it comes to you and Noah.”

“Yeah and that was just when we were friends.”

“Wow,” Val chuckled. “Usually it’s the girl’s father that has a problem with the boy, not the other way around. And for it to be Noah Valois’ father worrying considering how many…” Eden glowered at her. “Oh yeah, chuck up it. My automatic failure with my in-laws and my boyfriend’s whorish past is just a hoot and a half.”

Val laughed. “Going home is sounding fun all of sudden isn’t it?”

*

Even though she could chuckle about it with Val, Eden really was worried about facing Alain when they got back to Massachusetts. It was clear Alain didn’t trust her – which was so effed up considering he trusted Val – and that Noah really looked up to his father. She didn’t even want to know how that would affect things when they got back. Plus… their two families living under the same, albeit massive, roof was going to be… interesting.

After getting Valeria to spill some beans on some of her past romances – one of which involved a very famous emperor and the other an Old Hollywood actor!!! – Eden was in an especially good mood when they set off for the training centre. Her eyes lit up as they walked into the training room and she caught sight of Noah up at the weight machines. When she took in the scene before her this weird, ugly little pang echoed across her chest. He was standing talking to Mark and Natalie, and Natalie was pressed against Noah’s side, her hand on his arm. That alone made her want to rip the Neith off him and give her a beatdown, but as her eyes narrowed on the woman, she watched as Natalie slid her a hand down Noah’s back, the piece of paper in it disappearing into Noah’s back pocket. Natalie patted his ass. And Eden saw red. She felt her feet take off beneath her before her mind had even processed what she was doing. All she could think about was reaching the Neith and letting her know what was what. A strong hand clamped around her wrist, whirling her around to a stop. Val held her still, her beautiful face for once tight and serious; her voice authoritative and ancient as she commanded her in a low voice, “Stop. Noah is not interested in the silly Neith, so do not make a scene, Eden. Things are going well for you. You attack a Neith and that will undo everything we have done here.”

“You should listen to her,” Shona said, seeming to appear out of nowhere. Her mocking eyes roamed over Eden insolently. “It’s not like Noah is worth it. He’s famous for screwing around with the Neith, Edie. He’s taken loads of phone numbers since he’s been here. He’s never had a proper girlfriend, and after all these years, I doubt he’s going to start now with a fledgling, virgin Ankh.” Pain. Hurt. It rippled over Eden, stunning her momentarily. The reminder of Noah’s past glued her mouth shut and she felt awash in humiliation that she had a let a guy kill her savvy. Rescue came in the form of the ancient warrior at her side. Val stepped toe to toe with the Neith, her eyes narrowed dangerously. Eden watched with satisfaction as Shona blanched. “I do not know who you are little girl but I’ll remind you that you’re not talking to one of your peers; you are insulting Cyrus of Persepolis’ child, and in the presence of one of your elders. You ever talk to the Princep’s daughter with such disrespect again and I will hand you your ass. Are we clear?” Shona nodded shakily, the fear and realisation of what she’d just done colliding in her gaze. “I didn’t mean to insult you, Valeria.”

“Insult Eden, you insult me.”

“I apologise.” Her mouth twisted as if she had swallowed something bitter. “To both of you.” Eden almost laughed at how fast Shona skittered away but she was still reeling from her reaction to Shona’s putdown.

“What a repugnant child,” Valeria sighed.

“You’re pretty scary when you want to be.”

“Eden.” Her mentor turned her to face her. “Don’t listen to a word she said. Noah loves you.” Eden glanced over her shoulder and saw him staring at them, a crease of concern between his brows. He lifted his hand in a wave and she returned it before glancing away. Did he? Love her that is?

He hadn’t actually said those words yet.



***

“Hey, you’re awful quiet.” Noah nudged her, that spark of worry that had been gnawing at him since this afternoon suddenly growing a little bigger. Eden had been acting weird for hours. “Do you not like it?” He picked up the CD he’d bought her. After borrowing Tobe’s copy of The Airborne Toxic Event’s new album, Eden hadn’t stopped going on about it, so he’d bought her, her own copy and put a little note inside the jacket of the CD cover, telling her which songs reminded him of her. It was pretty romantic of him considering he didn’t do spontaneous gift giving, but he guessed this wasn’t the first time he’d surprised Eden with a gift, which should have clued him into how he felt about her a long time ago.

“No, I love it.” She smiled up at him, but the cute dimple in her right cheek didn’t flash at him teasingly, and he was sure he saw something dark in the depths of her gorgeous eyes.

Growing more concerned by the minute, Noah slid closer to her on Tobe’s bed, brushing her hair off her face so she couldn’t hide behind it. “So what’s wrong?” He let his fingers linger against her cheek, drawing them down across her soft skin. At the feel of her shiver, Noah felt his blood heat. It was weird. He couldn’t stop touching her. And he wanted to be around her all the time, talk to her, touch her, kiss her. As his blood quickened, Noah drew a breath, trying to tamp down the mass of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him whenever he was with her. The last week things had changed all over again for him. Now that Eden was his, he wanted to make her his in every way possible. He wanted to lay her back on the bed and take everything she was willing to give.

Strangely, the thought that he would be the only guy she’d ever been with, filled that possessive streak he’d never even known he had until he met her, with this euphoric caveman feeling that he would never admit to owning.

So, Eden being distant with him… was causing him a little panic.

“Nothing.” She shook her head, looking back down at the CD.

“Come on.” He frowned, trying to work out what could have happened between now and yesterday to put her in a mood. It was difficult to tell with Eden because she could start worrying about something that happened six months ago if she let it get under her skin. “Is it the first kill comedown?”

Eden frowned. “The what?”

“You know… it’s such a high after your first kill but you’ve not had a hunt since. It can sometimes feel like your crashing after a buzz. If so… we could patrol tonight?” They’d been sending out patrols in twos and fours every night just to make sure they’d definitely cleared Edinburgh of soul eaters. So far… so good.

But Eden shook her head at him. “No, it’s not that. But you go on patrol if you want.” OK, now he knew something was up. Eden turning down some action? “Just tell me what’s wrong?” He tried to keep the chick-like anxiety out of his voice.

“It’s stupid.” She shrugged, trying to blow him off. “I feel like a chick just thinking about it.” He smiled. They were so alike in so many ways. “Uh… hate to tell you this, baby, but you are a chick.”

She blinked. “Baby?”

“What?”

“You called me baby. You’ve never done that before.”

Unsure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, Noah shifted uncomfortably. “Do you not want me to?” He was completely confused. This whole relationship thing was new to him anyway but to be in one with Eden, the most unpredictable female on the planet…

“No, it’s not that,” she reassured sliding away from him to lean back against Tobe’s headboard.

“It’s just… it’s stupid but… um… I saw you with Natalie today and she was putting what I can only imagine was her phone number into the ass pocket of your jeans.” Realisation dawned, and watching Eden look anywhere but at him filled Noah with a massive sense of relief. Yeah, OK, Natalie had been trying to get him in the sack since she’d met him. And that afternoon hadn’t actually been her boldest move. Noah had almost jammed a fork in her hand at the restaurant last week when her other hand descended under the table and began wandering in inappropriate places. Come to think of it, Noah had kind of hoped Eden’s attitude that night had meant she was jealous. Now that he was proved right… well… he knew he shouldn’t enjoy it, but it was nice knowing she felt just as off-balance by what was going on between them as he did. He grinned, shrugging. “Look it was just her number and I crumpled it up and put it in the trash as soon as I could.”

Eden glared at him for grinning so he tried to force his lips to stop and was amused even more by how difficult he found it.

“But she’s not the first one, right? There are others? There have been others.” It suddenly wasn’t so funny anymore. Noah sighed heavily. He should have known his past would come back to bite him on the ass. “Look, I’m not gonna lie, I have a rep with the Neith for not exactly being a one woman guy. But that’s over now.”

He was astonished when her blue-green eyes flashed at him with anger and anxiety. “Is it?” That earlier panic returned tenfold and Noah slid up next to her, terrified that this was actually going to be a problem. He cupped her face between his hands, trembling like a teenage boy on his first date. “You came into my life and changed everything. You changed me, Eden. You’ve brought me down to earth and I needed that. I love being Ankh, I do, it’s a massive part of who I am, but before you… that’s all there was. Everything else stretched out before me, a yawning eternal chasm of boredom… and I played around as a way to try to stem the boredom. I’ve watched my parents for years and envied them but I never thought I’d ever be lucky enough to have what they have. To have someone in my life that makes me feel so alive; someone who challenges me, who makes me feel things I didn’t know I was capable of feeling. You’ve changed my world, Eden,” he whispered, his heart pounding as he pressed a kiss to her soft, warm lips. He pulled back to lean his forehead against hers, glad to see the fear and anxiety melt out of her eyes. “Plus, immortality just isn’t cool without you.”

She laughed and leaned into him, her hands unconsciously reaching up to grab the front of his t-shirt. And then she sobered, dropping her gaze. “I’m scared of how you make me feel.” Relief swept through him and he sighed, glad to know they were on the same page. “I know. I feel that way too. But I can promise you that I am not going anywhere.” He took a minute, heart thumping so hard now he felt a little sick as he pulled back to meet her gaze. Here goes… “I love you.” His heart accelerated as her eyes widened in disbelief. It felt as if she kept him suspended in that excruciating moment forever. But then she was kissing him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He kissed her back, somehow unable to refuse her lips despite the turmoil. What did this mean?

Did she-

Eden pulled back. “I love you too, dude.”

Undiluted joy burst over him and he laughed, yanking her back against him. He kissed her hard and deep, his hand clasping the back of her head, tangled in the thick mass of her silky hair. He’d fantasised about her hair spread across his pillow for far longer than he cared to admit. When she moaned against his lips, his muscles tensed, his blood flow changing direction and heading for one area. He tried to take it slow. He did. But she smelled amazing, like chocolate orange, and she felt amazing, so soft and warm…

Oh man.

He pressed her down under him, his lips reluctantly leaving her mouth to trail butterfly kisses down her neck. His hand slid down her waist, her hip, to the back of her thigh, and he clasped it, tilting her tighter against him.

“Noah,” she gasped, and the sound of his name on her lips, like that, snapped all of his control. He started murmuring nonsense love words, stuff he’d never imagined saying to anyone, about how he’d dreamed about this for so long, needed her. He’d always been the silent type, but not with her. After everything she’d gone through, he wanted her to know that there was someone who loved her more than life itself.

He rocked against her and they gasped against each other’s lips. “Eden,” he groaned, reaching for the hem of her shirt, his eyes asking if it was alright.

In answer she began sliding the shirt up, revealing a gorgeous toned stomach that he couldn’t resist pressing a kiss to.

The sound of the door blasting open behind them jerked them away from each other and at the sight of Val’s harried appearance Noah quickly slid a pillow over himself.

Eden huffed in frustration. “We need to get a room with a lock.”