The Cynn Cruor Bloodline series looks into the lives and loves of the Cynn Cruor warriors, immortals that are infused with the Kinaré gene – the amalgamation of vampire/werewolf/human blood.  They live among us. They look like us.

They may be us.

During my research and writing, I have been fortunate enough to interview them, to be able to give my readers a glimpse of their world and what they do.

Here is my interview with Finn, second-in-command, and sniper of the Manchester Faesten.

Interview with Finn Qualtrough

(Manchester Faesten’s Library/Nerve Centre)

 

Me: Hello Finn.  Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Finn: My pleasure, Isobelle. It’s good to have a chance to get to know your readers….more intimately.

I clear my throat before smiling: How is Eirene?

Finn (grins): Still a beautiful distraction. She left with Deanna to set up the network for the Haven Foundation. She’s creating a network between Deanna’s foundation and her own charity, Kids Come Home.

Me: Eirene is the computer expert of the team?

Finn: Yes she is. Graeme as well who’s more of our Head of Security. Eirene was able to do what we Cynn Cruor found hard to do. Finding Dac Valerian.

Me: Is that how you met?

Finn (chuckling): In a manner of speaking.  I was chasing after several of Dac’s followers or transfuges and found her instead. They were running after her after she decked them. (Finn laughs)

Me: And Dac’s followers?

Finn grins with satisfaction and pride: Dead. All dead, with Eirene’s help.  That woman can really kick and is very handy with a baton and the balisong, the Philippine butterfly knife.

Me: Has the Cynn Cruor has been fighting Dac Valerian for a long time?

Finn: Yes, the former Gnaeus Valerius Dacronius.  He was one of Caesar’s greatest generals and wanted recognition for his campaign s but the Cynn Cruor code forbade it.

Me: Why doesn’t the Cynn Cruor —

Finn: I know what you’re going to ask, Isobelle. Why don’t we want to be recognized? For people to know of our existence?

I nod.

Finn: Let me ask you…what would happen if the world knew of our existence?  A race of hybrids with vamp, were, and human blood infused with immortality. Stress on immortality.

Me: Uh…people would want to be like you. They won’t age.

Finn: Spot on. And what would happen if Dac and the Scatha Cruor showed themselves for who they were – evil personified?

I nod, exhaling: No innocent will be safe.

Finn:  It’s easier for us to fight a war without people knowing what we are doing. The less people know, the less casualties there will be.

Me: How long will this war last?

Finn (shrugs): As long as it takes.

Me: You live in the edge of day and night. Doesn’t it make you wish that you could walk in the sun?

Finn: Centuries ago, I was able to walk in the sun. My parents couldn’t. They often stayed indoors when the sun was hottest. It was lonely playing by myself around our estate near Pluscarden. I may have taken the sun for granted then.  It didn’t matter to me as long as I had my parents with me. I already knew that I was Cynn Cruor, that I would someday leave my home to train and be a warrior just like my father. (His voice tightens) When I lost my parents during one of the wars with the Scatha Cruor, the sun disappeared from my life. Until Eirene. So you see, whether that fireball in the sky is there or not, I care not. The Cynn Cruor can still walk in the sun but we have to be careful. When the skies are overcast, before Dawn claims the horizon and when Dusk puts it to bed, we can walk. It’s uncomfortable but we can if we must.

Me: Eirene is mortal.

Finn: She is now immortal. As long as I’m alive, so is she.

Me: Has she ever missed the sun? Has she asked you to do so?

Finn (smiles at a memory): Eirene wanted to go back to Platt Field’s Park where we first met.  Winter had arrived and there was frost on the ground. The sun was probably at the ten o’clock.  The sky was clear and blue up to probably Angels 70. It was painful, but beautiful.

Me (gasp): Why did you do that?

Finn: Because I love her.

Me: She’s very lucky to have you.

Eirene: Yes, I am. Hello, Isobelle. (She gives me a hug.) Finn been talking how strong he is?

Me (laughing): No. We were talking about Dac and how you found him.

Eirene (shakes her head ruefully): The Cynn Cruor still can’t get over it. Unfortunately, we’ve lost him again.

Me: Any idea how to find him again?

Finn:  We’re still working on it. In the meantime, I’d like to take my mate for R&R.

Me (reddening): Okaaaayyy. Some other time then. I’ll see myself out.

Finn: Come back anytime you wish, Isobelle. You are always welcome here.

Eirene (grins): I’m echoing that.

Me: Thanks and I will. I’m interviewing all of you remember?

Eirene (with a twinkle in her eye): Who knows?  A Cynn Cruor might fall for you one day.

I stare at her, my mouth agape before I laugh: Only in my dreams.

Eirene (winks): Uh huh.

Me: I’m going! I’m going!

Laughter follows me as I leave the library.

Rapture at Midnight is now available for FREE to download from your favourite digital bookstore:

https://books2read.com/u/mYgg7d