The Iron in Blood

"You should be fine," he said as he walked us to the front door.

I shouldn't have listened to him.

Angus

It was easier for me when Mark was around. The two of them arguing with each other reminded me of how young they both really were; they seemed older. And Mark's presence distracted me from the enticing female smell that Rebecca exuded. I didn't have to hold my breath so much when he was there. It should have been getting easier, but it wasn't. And then when they were leaving, and she looked so unhappy and withdrawn, I suddenly needed to check that she was OK. I hadn't tried to feel her thoughts the whole afternoon, but as she was leaving I caved in to intense curiosity. She looked so sad.

Big mistake. As I reached out I was immersed in a violent swirl of confusion and desire. I withdrew as soon as I could, but it was too late. I felt my eyes changing and my body stiffening, and I fought to control the hunger that blazed through me. I suddenly wanted her so much more than anything I have ever wanted before. Ever.

Instead, I somehow managed to suppress that crushing desire, and I let her leave with her brother. I couldn't know then how much I would come to regret that decision.

Rebecca

I put off telling Mum about Shanice until after supper. Mark and Joe were sitting watching some allegedly riveting football match, and I was washing dishes while she tidied everything away. She looked tired after a long day at work and I felt guilty about having to lay this on her too, but I knew it had to be done. She would find out eventually, and then she'd be doubly upset that I hadn't told her about it. As with most things nowadays, she took it unexpectedly well.

"Isn't Shanice the one that used to bully you in primary school?"

I was surprised and touched that she remembered after so long. "Yeah, that's her."

"Well, I'm sure she deserved what she got. Did you get into trouble?"

"I have to go see Mr Parker tomorrow and explain."

She winced. "Poor baby. It'll be fine, don't worry."

I smiled at her thankfully. She was a mother in a million. She hardly ever criticised us, she never lost her temper, and she worked like a maniac to keep the family going. I felt fleetingly guilty for excluding her from my new secret life, but I dismissed that thought quickly. Just the thought of trying to explain to her that I was now a vampire made me break out in a sweat. Her life was difficult enough already without that kind of information.