Free Blood Legacy Origin of Species by Kerri Hawkins Page A

be necessary for that experiment to take place.”
    Abigail stood gracefully, taking her leave with a parting comment.
    “And don’t worry, my dear,” Abigail said over her shoulder, “I would throw Aeron off that cliff long before I would sacrifice you.”
     
    Susan wandered down the dark hallway with a Diet Coke in her hand. Although she no longer required or even desired food or drink, for whatever reason she still craved Diet Coke. The bifurcations, connections, and realignment of her digestive tract and circulatory system had fascinated her and she had documented them at length as her body transitioned from its human form. She had also documented the sudden withdrawal of the physical need for food as well as the slower withdrawal from the psychological habit of eating.
    But she had not given up Diet Coke. Ryan had found this profoundly funny, but also understandable. She herself had consumed wine and ale prior to her Change when she was a child in the 14th century. The alcoholic beverages carried no stigma for children at that time and were even considered a good source of cheap calories for the poor. Ryan still drank wine, albeit of much higher quality than when she was a peasant, simply because she liked the taste.
    Susan took a sip of the beverage then gently pushed open the door to check on Ryan. Edward was seated at the foot of her bed and Drake was reading aloud from one of his many books. Ryan was fast asleep. Susan closed the door quietly and moved two doors down to her own chambers. She pushed open one of the double doors, entered, and the door whispered closed behind her.
    She removed her clothing and pulled an oversized silk shirt over her head, luxuriating in the feel of the soft material against her skin. She turned from her closet and stifled a scream when she saw Abigail seated in the easy chair next to her bed.
    “Oh, I assure you my dear, I have seen it all before.”
    “Abigail,” Susan stammered, feeling greatly exposed, “what–, what can I do for you?”
    Abigail stood and with deadly grace moved toward Susan, towering over her and causing her to take a step backward and press against the closet door. She was completely overwhelmed by the older woman’s magnetism even though Abigail was tightly controlling the manifestation of her power. She was here for a very specific reason.
    Susan felt the mixture of terror and desire that all Young Ones feel when confronted with someone so much greater than themselves. Few of Susan’s age would ever come face-to-face with one such as Abigail, and all would throw themselves at her feet. Abigail was impressed with Susan’s attempt at composure, as ineffectual as it was.
    “Relax, Dr. Ryerson,” Abigail gently commanded, and Susan relaxed with marked obedience. Abigail took a moment to examine Susan quite thoroughly and could hear the young woman’s heart pounding, a throw-back to her human autonomic nervous system. “Hmm,” she said, “you actually are quite attractive. But I doubt that even bleeding you to death would satisfy me. Not to mention,” she said, half to herself, “that Ryan would never forgive me.”
    Abigail’s gaze returned to the blue-green eyes. “No, I am here only for information, and although I can very nearly read your thoughts, this will help.”
    Abigail leaned forward and brushed her razor-sharp teeth across the throbbing artery in Susan’s neck, placing her mouth fully on the wound so that not a drop of blood escaped. The shock caused Susan to press against the woman holding her, her senses swimming at the intensity of the contact.
    Edward frowned and sat upright in the room down the hall. He glanced at Ryan, who shifted fitfully in the bed but did not awaken. Fortunately Drake had fallen asleep as well, and he merely curled his form to fit his mother tighter.
    Aeron was outside in a far part of the courtyard, but he tilted his head at the sensation then smiled his shark’s smile. Abigail was a model of