[excerpt] by Editor

to be sure.” And with that she scooted out the bedroom door.
    Lucian eyed his sister with great apprehension. “You certain you want tea? Not blood?” he asked absent of any humor.
    Raven backed up on the pillow. She eyed Lucian oddly. “What the ’ell is wrong with you? ’Ave you lost your mind?”
    “What do you remember of last night, Beauty?”
    “You tucking me and then I awoke here, only minutes past, so begin your explanation, dear brother. You’ve piqued me curiosity. And don’t even attempt to tell me any more vampire tales.”
    “Oh my fair, Raven.” Lucian lay beside her, and plucked one of the pillows from behind her head for himself. “Lie back and allow me to attempt to explain the unexplainable.”
    Serina returned with a tray filled with steaming Earl Grey tea, crumpets and garden-fresh, raspberry jam. She fast realized she’d be dining alone. Raven lay curled within Lucian’s strong arms, both of them sound asleep. She briefly wondered what it would be like to nestle within his arms, and wake every morning beside him. Heaven came to mind.
    Early evening, Lucian ventured to the kitchen to find Serina with her nose buried in a book. Noticing a tray of food on the counter, he bee-lined for it.
    “’Ello,” he said as he jammed a mouthful of a crumpet into his mouth.
    Serina wiped a few crumbs from his cheek. “Hungry? Duncan and Molly are across the road cooking supper for us. They’ll be here shortly. How’s your sister?”
    “Burning up.”
    Serina slammed the book closed, crossed her kitchen and pulled out a canning jar filled with yellow powder.
    “Curry?”
    Serina shook her head no.
    “Mustard powder?”
    Another nod side to side. Deep in thought, she placed a finger to her lips and shushed him.
    “I placed more cool cloths on her forehead and changed her again. She comes and goes.” Lucian told her as he followed on her heels.
    Serina tapped her finger to the jar. “I’ve got something to reduce the febrile state.” Minutes later she had a cup of tea and the powdery substance beside it in a small apothecary bowl.
    Lucian dipped his finger into the powder, tasted it and scrunched his face. “’Tis bitter. What is it already?”
    Serina smirked at his facial expression. “Salicylic acid. It comes from a willow tree’s bark. Not to worry. It’s not black magic or anything so medieval. I’ve sweetened her tea so when I add this, she’ll never taste it.”
    They took the tea to Raven. Lucian scooted behind Raven and held her steady while Serina helped her take small sips until the cup was empty. Within minutes, Raven’s eyelids fell closed.
    At the sound of her back door opening, Serina picked up the empty dishes. “I think our supper is here. Will you join us or shall I bring yours to you?”
    Lucian stretched out his legs and yawned. Without censor, he glanced at Serina and said, “You are truly lovely. Would up here be all right? I don’t want to leave her.”
    Serina nodded. “You don’t have to make up compliments to get me to do things for you.”
    “I made up no such thing, m’lady.”
    Tray in hand, Serina curtsied, wobbled on one leg, which caused the china to topple over into a heap on the floor. Serina plunked down beside the broken dishes, too embarrassed to move. “Would you like to replace lovely with lubberly? I am a true klutz.”
    Lucian crossed to her, and slid his arms underneath hers. With a little lift, he had her on her feet again. “No I would not. Maybe you should get some rest.”
    Before she had time to protest, he cleaned up the broken china and carried it down stairs.
    Serina traipsed behind this time.
    “Supper’s in here, Luce,” Duncan offered from the dining room.
    “Old man, what have you cooked up? It smells…”
    Duncan covered Lucian’s mouth as he looked him dead in the eye. “Molly made us some steak and kidney pie, Luce. Been a long time since we’ve had that, hey?” The grin, if it was really one, warned Lucian to