Her deferential manner makes me soften instantly and I smile at her.She’s so sweet and polite!
Sadie drops the suitcase on the bed and clicks it open. It’s packed full of money, and my eyes widen.
‘Here’s the deal. We’re on the run from Alexander Dryden,’ says Sadie without preamble, putting her hands on her hips. The seamstress in me notes that her blouse and skirt are well-made, if slightly worse for wear. Both women look travel-worn.
‘Charlie’s father?’ I say, leaning against the small fireplace that I never use. ‘What’s he to you?’
‘He’s Floss’s sire and sort of husband. She’s escaped from him, but he’s like a dog with a bone. We can’t shake him off.’
Floss looks fearful, and a shudder goes through me.
I stare at the money. ‘Is that his?’
‘Yes, I stole it,’ Floss says quietly. ‘There’s more in our bank account in London.’
So not as sweet as I thought. She’s brave stealing from a sire.
‘I take it there was a good reason to nick his money?’
Sadie nods. ‘He kept her alone in his house in Paris for thirty-three years and cheated on her with thrall whores. She couldn’t even go shopping. And he hit her.’
I consider this. ‘So what do you need my help for?’
‘Charlie said you can shield?’
I nod, already knowing where this is going.
‘We need you to shield Floss from Alexander so he can’t pick up on the blood bond. We’re sick of running from him.’ Sadie looks at me squarely. ‘Would you consider teaming up with us? In return, we’ll share our money with you.’
I rub my temple slowly. Their money would help my current situation. A lot. But getting involved means I’ll beimplicated. ‘Is he likely to kill Floss, do you think?’
‘Well, yes, but only if he catches her. And if we’re friends with you, the likelihood of that happening is a lot less.’
Friends.The word takes me aback. I haven’t had friends since the ladies-in-waiting I served with at Elizabeth I’s court. As I feared, being a vampire is a lonely existence.
‘You’re putting a lot of trust in me,’ I say with a frown.
‘In truth, we’re a bit desperate. We need you,’ replies Floss. She sways suddenly and puts her hand on the table, which is concerning.
‘Are you hungry?’ I ask them.
They nod. ‘We haven’t fed for a while,’ replies Floss, pressing her other hand against her chest, as if it pains her. She’s wearing a dark-purple blouse, which suits her colouring. But she does look a bit peaky.
I make a decision on the spot.
‘Come on then, let’s go out. I’ll show you all the best places to hunt.’
They look at me expectantly.
‘And ... and I’m happy to shield Floss. Why not? It sounds like you’ve both been through the wringer with this man. You’re also welcome to stay here. But as you can see, it’s not big enough for the three of us. With all this dosh, we’ll be able to find somewhere a lot nicer...’
Floss lets out a murmur of relief. She quickly crosses theroom and takes my hand and squeezes it once, then twice. She looks up at me gratefully. ‘Thank you.’
I rest my other hand on her shoulder, feeling strangely emotional that I’m needed.Wanted.
Clearing my throat, I look at Sadie and Floss, feeling the need to make a little speech. ‘So welcome to Edinburgh, where people talk funny, and their blood is tinged with whisky. And the men don’t wear anything under their kilts.’
Sadie licks her lips. ‘Can we take a peek?’
