“Eww,” Ari said.
“Yeah,” Evie agreed. “I have to separate my brain into separate compartments and pretend Moira isn’t dating my dad when I say things like that.”
Ari leaned forward and peered at me. “Are you alright?”
I leaned back, away from her probing stare. “I’m fine. Why?”
“You look a little peaked.”
“If you haven’t noticed, I have a few things going on.”
Ari’s mouth turned down. “No.” She reached out and touched my forehead. “Have you eaten today?”
“Not much. I had more caffeine than anything.”
Ari frowned but nodded. “Make sure you eat a big meal before bed tonight and get a good night’s sleep.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Ari rolled her eyes. “On that note, I’m off too. Call me when you know something.”
She stood and stretched.
“What do you do with those weapons you keep in that weird portal thing?” I asked, curiosity overriding my need to get back to my apartment.
“Store them,” Ari said with a shrug. “Until they’re ready for their new bearer.”
“Do you give quests to people, too?” Evie said with a snicker.
Ari’s eyes went silver. “Only for the most deserving,” she intoned. With a wink, she disappeared in a shimmer of silvery light.
Then it was only immediate family. “When’s the last time you’ve consumed blood?” Cliona asked.
“I’m just tired. That’s all.”
Cliona snorted. “When’s the last time you’ve been tired? Before Cernunnos?”
So she knew about our little blood experiment. Wasn’t sure how I felt about that. “It’s been a few weeks,” I grumbled. “We’re stretching things out to see how far I can go without a top-up.”
“Looks like you’re due,” Cliona said. “Would you like me to call him back?”
“No,” I said too quickly.
Everyone, including Rowan, raised an eyebrow at my hurried refusal.
“Look,” I said, annoyed I felt like I had to explain myself. “Things are fine. I am fine. If I start feeling the effects, I’ll reach out myself. This is nothing any of you need to be involved in.”
Evie and Cliona shared a look. Rowan unfolded himself and stood. “I’ll see you back at the house,” he said to Evie.
With a nod to me, he walked off. Cliona reached down and brushed her fingers over Evie’s cheek. “I’ll be back in a few days. Call if you need me.”
When she was gone, Evie pierced me with an intense look. “Why aren’t you biting him? No bullshitting me.”
“We really are doing an experiment.”
She grunted. “And now you’re mad at him.”
“I’m not mad.”
