We seven men, we run.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Luna
Ifinish reading my aunt’s letter.
Dante’s real name is Suoivva, which means “Shadow” in the North Sami tongue.For God’s sake, don’t go calling Sápmi by its common name of Lapland anywhere near the MC.They are hugely tribal and proud when it comes to respecting their culture.His surname is “Dainsinen,” so that’s where Dante originates from.
I know the seven renegades hunted the great wastelands around Europe and Asia hundreds of years ago.They wanted to discover the Red Queen’s origins.
After Dante told me his story, I thought there might be something in the blood of a red-haired woman that would satisfy the vampires’ hunger better than other kinds.Red hair is a mutation, after all.Redheads have the MC1R gene.Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Receptor 1.
My father always used to tell me that red hair is more like chemistry, not just a color.We are more sensitive to pain.We need more anesthetic and painkillers to have an effect on us.And the weirdest thing I found out is that we are better at using our brains than our bodies—because we have low levels of adrenaline.Ever seen a redhead athlete at the Olympics?I rest my case.Although Shaun White gets a pass!
And here is where it gets really strange.Women with red hair smell better.It’s been scientifically proven that women with the MC1R gene have skin that holds a naturally sweet, musky fragrance.Pheromones in our hair and skin attract more men in a special way.Tests have proved that women with the MC1R gene taste different (if you know what I mean).On top of that, the scent of a red-haired woman can change with her emotions.
What I needed was to take some of my blood and increase the amount.Only then would I be able to dilute it into a home brew.That’s where the DNA polymerase enzymes come in.
That is what they use in DNA testing laboratories to amplify trace amounts of DNA evidence.All I had to do was add the enzymes to the blood during the brewing process.Whatever the MC needs to feed it, the mix of MC1R blood and the enzymes is able to satisfy their bloodlust.
As for the other one (I won’t even write his name), I worked out that men have a primitive dislike for ejaculating inside a woman during her period.This is because the animal part of a man’s brain registers that he won’t be able to impregnate her during such a time.
If a vampire tastes lunar cycle blood, it protects the donor woman from being attacked by him.That’s why menopause is such a disaster for me.I can no longer protect myself from the evil I created and protected.
Dante and Ifan were right.I never should have allowed the half-breed to get away with murder.
What’s done is done.Good luck forever.
Love, T.A.
I let the thin pages drop to the floor.When I look around, it is already twilight.
Muohta is snoozing peacefully.I hate to disturb him, but I have to eat something and then go see how Shadow is doing.
Who was the Vampire Queen?How come there is no mention of her inhistory books?Did it happen so long ago that no records survived?
Grabbing the defrosted steak out of the refrigerator, I start heating a pan.Washing two potatoes, I prick them with the tip of a knife and stick them in the microwave.Time for me to start keeping an eye on my diet.I saw that spinach and broccoli are still growing at Ben’s farm.I might ask him for a whole heap so I can blanch and freeze it for winter.
I need folic acid, lots and lots of folic acid.
Frozen peas will have to do for now.
When I run upstairs to clean my teeth after a delicious supper of heavily salted steak and buttered vegetables, I check my reflection in the mirror.
A mauve tinge lingers around my mouth.I always get it just before my period arrives, but this month the bluish tone of my skin is even more noticeable.
I think I’m about to lose my uterine lining after allowing Shadow to take God knows how many pints of blood out of me.
That can’t be good.
For once, I’m not that worried about my hygiene.I think Tempest was right.The MC1R gene does make women smell better.I’ve never had a problem with body odor or smelly feet.I’ve always hated that cheesy stink of unwashed feet—makes me want to yak.
Sniffing my socks and sneakers, the only smell I can detect is shoe and sock material.
Good enough.
Mu and I are back in the car and reversing carefully down the steep incline.I have to crack a window to let out Muohta’s fish breath stank.Don’t want to meet Shadow with that on me.I hope he’s awake, but more importantly, I hope that he has healed.
