Ray fiddled with the memory stick where she held it under the table. June and Krish were finishing up dinner and their overly open displays of affection made her uncomfortable.

'I could do with some fresh lettuce from the garden,' June said.

'I'll go,' Krish said.

But Ray was already on her feet. 'I'll do it,' she offered. Anything to get some time out of the small kitchen, which was feeling too crowded.

'Let Ray. Besides, you're the only one who knows how to spice the tomatoes. He doesn't even trust me with the recipe.' She feigned mock hurt to Ray, who forced a smile.

'I can't share all my secrets, otherwise I'd lose my mystery,' joked Krish.

Ray was out the door before June could reply. She didn't feel her shoulders relax until the door shut firmly behind her.

The lights from the kitchen allowed her to find the winding path to the small veg patch that was Krish's pride and joy, but she was grateful when the lights were swallowed by the night.

Her eyes adjusted well to the low light, and she knew without having to look that they'd be glowing, helping her to navigate in the dark. The memory stick felt heavy in her pocket as she pictured them.

She still couldn't believe that they were her eyes. They'd reverted to her usual brown after she'd fed, but it was like she couldn't keep the purple at bay. She wondered how long she'd be able to keep her old brown eyes or if she'd wake up one day and never see them again.

She didn't turn at the sound of footsteps behind her. She knew there was a possibility he'd follow her. He'd been watching her discreetly all night.

'Everything okay, kid?' Xavier asked.

'Just fucking peachy,' she muttered.

'You don't want to leave the UK?'

Ray crouched by the side of the lettuce and started picking at the leaves. 'I know that's our best shot.'

'But?'

'But it feels like running away. Mari kept us close to London for a reason. She wanted to keep an eye on the Bureau. She wanted to find out more about Grayson Amos.' Ray sighed and sat on the grass.

'Mari spend years looking for anything on Grayson Amos and found only his name. And she didn't have the Bureau looking for her.'

'If you're trying to tell me it's impossible-'

'I didn't say that,' Xavier interrupted her. 'But I also want to be realistic. We could stay, finish what Mari was looking into, but that puts you at risk. And Grayson's plan seems to revolve around catching you.'

'But we don't know that for certain,' Ray interjected.

'It's what Mari believed,' Xavier said, making Ray look away from him.

He sat down in the grass and allowed his legs to stretch out.

'I know this isn't the way you wanted things to end, but I promised Mari that I'd look out for you. And that's what I'm trying to do.'

'And what if stopping Grayson is more important than looking out for me? What if he starts his plan without catching me?'

'He's waited fifteen years to catch you. I don't think he's the type to stop now.'

'You really think they'll just keep coming?'

'I really do,' he said honestly. 'And the Director is as relentless as a dog with a bone. Leaving may be our best shot.'

Silence fell between them, and Ray reached out to pluck a few more lettuce leaves.

'Okay. I trust you.'

Xavier held out his hands, and she gave him a pile of lettuce leaves.

'Doesn't mean we won't come back here one day,' he reasoned.

She nodded silently and brushed the grass off her jeans. He followed suit, and they both headed back to the kitchen.

June looked up from the counter and smiled as they came in.

'I was beginning to wonder if you'd fallen off the face of the Earth.'

'Just deciding which lettuce leaves to pick,' Xavier lied.

Krish came back carrying a bottle of amber liquid. 'Thought we could dedicate the meal to Mari.'

Ray and Xavier took a seat, as June and Krish placed the food on the table.

Despite the smell being inviting, Ray found that none of the food held much appeal to her. She didn't feel hungry for it, despite not having eaten since she'd arrived.

June placed a metal water bottle to her right.

'Just in case you don't like the food,' she whispered.

Curiously, Ray opened it and a much more appealing scent rose from inside.

Blood. And it made her mouth water more than all the food on the table.

With a shaky hand, she placed it back on the table.

'To Mari,' Krish toasted with his glass held high.

Ray joined in with her water bottle filled with blood, June doing the same.

Whilst Xavier and Krish were quick to load up their plates, Ray hung back.

She shared a look with Xavier, and he nodded towards her bottle.

'Survive,' he mouthed at her.

With a strained smile, she picked up the bottle and took a sip. The taste was just as amazing as the first time she'd drank from the blood bag. Though it wasn't exactly the same. There was a bitterness to the blood that she wasn't expecting.

She thought about asking June, but held her tongue. Just what was she supposed to say? Does blood taste different because it comes from a different person? Or is it blood groups that taste different? Or was it her?

Her eyes fluttered as a wave of tiredness came over her.

Xavier reached for his glass, but he was uncoordinated and knocked it over. Krish's fork clattered onto his plate and he looked between it and his hand with surprise.

'J-J-J.' He struggled to speak before his eyelids closed and he slumped to the table.

'W-what?' Xavier tried to stand, but his legs wobbled underneath him and he collapsed.

Ray was at his side, cushioning his fall, but her arms were like lead and her own eyes betrayed her.

'What did you do?' she slurred as June lifted Xavier.

'What I had to do to protect my husband.' June pushed on Ray's shoulder and there was nothing she could do about it.

'I thought I'd judged the dosage right this time, but you keep surprising me. You're much stronger than you look, Ray.' June pulled a needle from her apron and plunged it into Ray's neck. 'I really am sorry, but if it's between you and Krish, then I'll always pick him.'

June's teary face stared at her, but everything was becoming fuzzy and Ray wasn't sure if she was dreaming it.

'Take care of yourself, Ray,' June said before Ray lost her hold on consciousness.