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asked, “You drew this?”
    “Yes. I realize how bizarre this must seem to you, Stephanie, but I never doubted my connection.”
    They fell silent for a moment. “It’s a tattoo I got last year. It’s my design.”
    It was two and a half inches long and two inches wide. Her inspiration for the tattoo came from the legend of the Celtic goddess Cerridwen, who represents rebirth and inspiration. From this, she’d created an image of a dark-haired woman sitting within a crescent moon, a metal circle of intricate weave on her forehead and a small, jeweled cauldron in one hand. Her free hand has lifted a drop of blood in the shape of a tear from the cauldron.
    Her finger traced the curve of the moon.
    “Why did you get it?”
    She raised her eyes to his and put the drawing down. “I came to terms with…something personal.”
    The lucent eyes flickered with awareness. “Yet, it still burdens you.”
    His statement confirmed her original impression of him—those eyes of his could strip a soul bare.
    Something occurred to her. “This transfusion, it would take place in a medical clinic with official documents and all, right?”
    Victor inclined his head. “Of course. You’ll be tested for anemia and transmissible diseases, although I’m sure you’re as healthy as a horse.”
    Alarm shot through her. “But that means my name will appear on those papers. I can’t have that. My family doesn’t know…” She got up and walked over to the doorframe, pressing her palm against the wood. Her head had begun to ache.
    Seconds later, a hand cupped her shoulder. “The administrator of the clinic is a personal friend. You’ll go in as a Jane Doe. You have my word. And we have nothing to gain by hurting you.”
    She supposed it made sense, but there was still a slim risk. “My mutant gene will definitely stop the disease?” she queried.
    “Yes. It will be…a miracle cure, my dear.” He paused. “Has Dex mentioned he is prepared to pay you for your help?”
    Stephanie exhaled a tired breath. “Yes, but I couldn’t accept money for this.” She shook her head. “I just wanted to do the right thing, to help a friend. I didn’t expect to end up here, faced with holding someone’s life in my hands.” Her mouth pulled into a frown. “Agent Mason blackmailed me to see his brother.”
    “I’m truly sorry about that, Stephanie, but put yourself in his shoes.”
    She closed her eyes and after a long moment, silently admitted that she’d go to great lengths for her family, too, though she’d probably use less manipulative tactics. When she opened her eyes, she decided that she’d eliminate one immediate problem before going ahead with this.
    She looked at the old man, whose hopeful expression tugged at her heart. “I’ll help Ray because I like him, not because his brother coerced me. But there’s something Agent Mason needs to do first.” Stephanie walked out of the room and marched down the hall before Victor had a chance to say anything more.
    Agent Mason was standing by the living room window, sporting a sober expression. He looked her way and said, “Stephanie, are you leaving?”
    “Yes,” she said, as she retrieved her bag. “But I want you to make my legal issue go away like you promised.”
    “I’m true to my word,” he replied as he approached.
    “Then do so, and I’ll help your brother.”
    His face tightened and she noted the angry blaze in his eyes. She still hadn’t figured out their color. Gray or gray flecked with blue?
    “I really wouldn’t want any other authorities, or my brothers, to come knocking on my door,” she added.
    “I’ve taken significant charge of the case so you’re safe for now.” His reply was calm, yet there was a trace of tension.
    Anger burned in her chest. “For now . You don’t trust me to help your brother, so you cling onto that bargaining tool.”
    Another flash of emotion in his eyes, this one inscrutable. “I promise to do my best to clear you