“We did it,Kade.”
“Youdidit, honey,” he corrected, kissing her temple.
“No, that’s nottrue.” She glanced my way. “I couldn’t have done it without Phin… or the team.”
“As much as Iappreciate the sentiment, Mum, that’s not entirely accurate,” I countered.
“It’s absolutelyaccurate,” she said with a huff. “You were the one who figured out thecorrelation between—”
“The human bloodand cancer cells?” I interrupted.
“Yes.”
“No, it wasn’t,”I argued. “It was you.”
“What?”
“In yourresearch, back in the very beginning when you first started, you made note ofCauld Ane blood having a blue hue to it. Of course, you didn’t know it wasCauld Ane blood at the time.”
“Right, it wasPayton’s blood,” Mum said.
“Aye. And thenlater when you knew about Da and the Cauld Ane, he took Fiona’s blood which wasa mix of human and Cauld Ane, along with yours which was still human, and youcompared the three.”
“I remember,honey,” she said. “What’s your point?”
“You were theone who figured out about the platelets and the blood not clotting properly.You wrote it all down. I just put two-and-two together and connected yourdots.”
“Do you supposethe pair of you humble geniuses could figure out who deserves more of thecredit over a celebratory drink?”
“Mum,” I said atthe same time Mum said, “Phin, obviously.”
We were stillarguing as we walked out of the lab.
* * *
Lennox
I set my suitcase in the foyerand bit back the bile creeping up the back of my throat. I didn’t want to go…obviously. But it wasn’t just because I was being forced to travel with myfather and brother (not the good one) alone, it was because something horrible wasgoing to happen and I wanted no part in it.
“I want to gowith Daddy and Lennox,” Briar Rae cried, running to wrap her arms around me.
“You reallydon’t,” I muttered under my breath.
“Sweetheart, youand I will have our own adventures while they’re gone,” Mom promised, throwinga dish towel over her shoulder as she knelt in front of her. “I promise.”
Briar Raesniffed, continuing to hug me tightly. “But I want Lennox to stay.”
Me too,little sister. Me too.
I rubbed herback and slid her hair behind her ear. “I’ll be home before you know it. I’llsee if I can find you a kilt and bring one back for you, okay?”
She smiled up atme. “Really?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay, sissy.Thank you.”
“You bet.”
