"What are ye saying?" Angus demanded.
Connor took another long drink. "Our DNA has changed. A verra slight mutation, but still, 'tis no' the same as when we were mortal."
Angus swallowed hard. "Then Roman's baby… "
"Could be like us," Connor finished. "And we're no longer quite human."
A chill skittered down Angus's spine. No longer human? No wonder Roman was nervous. What would the bairn be like? No longer human. Bugger.
"Are ye all right?" Connor asked softly.
"Aye." Except that Gregori was drumming his fingers on the table, and Angus found the noise very annoying. No longer human. How could he ever convince Emma he was good when he wasn't even human? He balled his fists with a sudden urge to clobber someone.
Gregori would do nicely. "Does Shanna know?"
"Aye," Connor replied. "But she insists she doesna care, that she loves Roman and will love the bairn, no matter what."
"She's a rare woman." Angus scowled at Gregori to get him to stop making noise.
It worked. Gregori leaned forward. "Can you believe it? We're all a bunch of mutants! Just like the Ninja Turtles."
Angus blinked. "We—we're like…turtles?"
Gregori burst into laughter.
Ian shook his head, grinning.
Connor snorted. "Nay. We have vampire DNA. No turtles."
"Snap!" Gregori rocked back in his chair, laughing. "I had you worried, huh?"
Angus narrowed his eyes. "Connor, if ye doona kill this fledgling, I will. The lad is begging for it."
Ian covered his mouth to hide a grin. Connor simply crossed his arms and looked bored. Gregori wiped his eyes. "You can't kill me. I'm the vice president of marketing at Romatech."
Angus lifted a brow. "Ye claim to serve a purpose?"
"Damn straight. I sell Roman's Fusion Cuisine. You know those commercials on the Digital Vampire Network?" Gregori smiled proudly. "I make those."
Angus slipped hissgian dubh from its sheath beneath his hose and studied the sharp, lethal knife. "I doona watch the telly much. I'm too busy killing."
Gregori's smile withered. "Sheesh, bro. Get a hobby. Buy yourself a new skirt. Find some joy in life."
Angus smiled grimly. "I find joy in my work, and the bloodier the better." He glanced at Connor. "Do ye want the pleasure, or shall I?"
Connor's mouth twitched.
Gregori jumped to his feet. "You can't hurt me. Roman needs me to sell his stuff."
"And if ye stopped making yer commercials, would Vamps stop drinking Roman's stuff and turn to the competitor?" Angus asked.
With a frown, Gregori loosened his tie. "There is no competition. Roman is the sole producer of synthetic blood."
"Ah." Angus slid a finger down the single-edged blade of hissgian dubh. "Ye see, I've watched enough telly to know what the proper term is for the likes of you. Ye're what we call an expendable crew member."
Gregori's eyes widened. "You're not hurting me. Roman likes me."
Angus tilted his head. "Are ye sure about that, laddie?"
Connor chuckled. "Enough with the jest, Angus. I want to hear about the slayer."
"Verra well." Angus slipped hissgian dubh back into its sheath. He smiled at Connor and Ian, who were both grinning. "We can always kill the fledgling later."
"Shit." Gregori glared at the Scotsmen. "You guys have a sick sense of humor." He shoved Angus's claymore to the side and perched on the corner of the table. "I'd like to see you and your ancient sword take on the slayer armed with a bazooka."
Angus nodded. "Ye might have yer wish before all is done."
"So were ye right?" Connor asked. "Is the slayer Emma Wallace?"
"Aye. I found her wandering about with a bag of stakes."
"Did ye destroy her stakes?" Ian asked.
"Nay." Angus stood and swung his claymore onto his back. "I made sure she left the park. She willna be killing anyone tonight."
"And tomorrow night?" Connor stepped toward him. "Did ye talk to her? Convince her to stop for good?"
"I'll see her tomorrow." Angus pushed open the kitchen door. "Tell Roman no' to worry. I'll take care of Emma Wallace." He left, leaving the door swinging behind him.
"Wait." Connor slipped through the door on a swing and joined him the foyer. "What kind of person is she? Will she be easy to persuade?"