“What was that all about?” Mairead asked. “I thought we had to succeed in these tests and all! Then we needed to track down those envelopes or something. Why did she just bring it here?”
Nero was chewing his inner cheek. He was staring at the ripped envelope as if he was considering picking it up, fishing the note inside out and fitting it together to see what it said. He wasn’t alone. Only Eiji seemed uninterested.
“I don’t know,” Nero said.
“Really? Because I’m seeing some kind of knowledge here.” She gestured to his face.
Nero scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Seeyrs donothingwithout a reason. They often don’t act because those acts could make the thing they’re trying to avoid come true. So when they do…”
“It is very important and cannot be put off any longer,” Eiji said softly.
Nero bobbed his head. “Butwhatshe means–”
“You should have let me question her!” Mairead put her hands on her hips. “I would have found out what she meant bymore!”
“Sophia Strange might look like a sweet teenager, but she was turned by Seeyr herself. She’s not just old, butancient,” Nero cautioned. “And she wouldn’t say anything, but what she wanted to say. Seeyrs are known to keep their mouths shut no matter what.”
“I suppose knowing the future would make them targets,” Mairead said.
“They are incredibly useful for any House to have a connection to one,” Nero agreed. “Sophia is attached to Balthazar. She is a member of House Ravenscroft as well as her own House.”
“So she’s really important?” Mairead guessed. “And she’s handing out envelopes with cryptic sayings?”
She had lifted an eyebrow at this. It seemed more and more unwise for Eiji to have torn up the envelope. But it wasn’t shredded. They could still read it easily. Yet Eiji was not reaching for it nor did he seem at all inclined to do so. His expression was distant. She knew that this was a look he got when he was thinking deeply.
“Just her visit is enough to… to be significant,” Nero admitted.
Eiji’s eyes refocused on them both. He was smiling and seemed quite calm. He’d come to some decision. Maireadrecognized that. His next words confirmed it, “Nero, I am ready.”
Nero’s head snapped up. A look of surprise and then joy flitted across his face. “But I thought you said you wanted to stay with–”
“I think that when a Vampire with the ability to see the future tells you that it istimethen that should be respected,” Eiji answered. “I have no need to see what is in the envelope as you and I have agreed to become Master and fledgling already. It is what I want. And it must betimenow.”
“You are not alone in wanting that,” Nero said heartily. “I’m so glad, Eiji.”
Eiji smiled. “Ah, you make me feel like a young man being chosen to join my brothers in battle again.”
“You are.” Nero grinned. “There’s plenty going on.”
“So let us not wait. It is time,” Eiji said.
Nero nodded and stood. “I will arrange everything with the rest of the Bloodline. Balthazar and Caemorn will need to be told. Ah!” Nero put a finger to his temple. “Balthazar already knows. Of course, he does. Sophia ishisSeeyr. She knew what was going to happen because of her visit.”
“May it be done tonight?” Eiji asked.
Nero looked stunned once more. “Yes, yes! I… I am so glad, but…” His eyes slid to Mairead who was still standing there. Eiji made a small movement that was enough to have Nero revise whatever he was going to say. “I will start the process. I am certain we can formalize our bond tonight.”
Eiji smiled broadly. “I look forward to it.”
Nero started towards the door. He gently pressed a hand on Eiji’s shoulder. The old man covered Nero’s with his own before the Ashyr Vampire disappeared out the door. Mairead felt awkward standing there so she sat down in front of her now cold tea.
“Well. Well!” She shook her head and let out an uncertain laugh. “This is exciting. Are you excited? Of course, you are. And I am, too, Eiji-sama. I’m just a little stunned–”
“I wish I could be with you through this whole process,” Eiji interrupted her.
Mairead blinked. “But–but you will be! In class, they told us that the turning only takes a day. So you’ll be back–”
“Yes, the turning does take a day,” Eiji again gently interrupted. “But what they did not say in the class, but Nero explained to me is that most fledglings have a difficult time controlling themselves around humans.”
