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“It’s okay,” he said soothingly.
I leaned back against the couch. “This is crazy.”
He studied me for a moment. “What’s your name?”
I blinked. “Sarah.”
“Well, Sarah, there are so many things wrong with what you just told me, that I’m not sure where to begin.” He leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his hair. “There are laws in the vampire world that protect us and keep us hidden from humans. To change a human without their consent is forbidden. To change a human without the consent of the Strategoi is forbidden.”
“The Strategoi?” I asked, trying to wrap my head around what he was telling me.
“The Strategoi. The high council, made up of the eight most powerful vampires. They are our Supreme Court, if you will, and almost every trial ends with execution.” He rolled his eyes. “Another law, and this onedefinitelypertains to you, is that a vampire cannot abandon a newborn.
“A newborn?”
“When a human is turned into a vampire, they are called newborn. The vampire that changed them becomes their master. It’s your master’s responsibility to teach you…” he paused and shrugged. “Well, how to be a vampire. These mentor relationships last for decades, if not centuries.”
“Where’s your master?” I asked, hoping another vampire wasn’t about to appear.
He smiled slightly. “I’m well past that point. My master and I parted ways eons ago.”
Well.“How old are you?”
“Old.” He sighed and straightened in his chair. “I don’t think you’re grasping the real problem here.”
“Other than the fact that I’m a vampire?” The words came out more sarcastically than I intended.
He gave me a look. “To change a human without permission from the Strategoi is punishable by death. When that happens, they will either kill the newborn, or appoint them a new master.”
I clenched my hands into fists to keep them from shaking. “How would they find out?”
“Just look at you.” He waved a hand in my direction. “You killed a human in public. The Strategoi has eyes everywhere. Theywillfind you, there's no doubt about that.”
“But this isn’t my fault!” I cried, jumping up from the couch. “I didn’t ask for this!”
“Calm down,” he said, standing. “You can stay here tonight while you figure things out.”
“With you?” I looked at him incredulously.
He raised his eyebrows. “Do you have a better idea?”
I hesitated, but he was right. I had no other options.
“Okay.” I finally said. “Thanks.”
“Come on, I’ll show you your room.”
“My room?”
“Well, technically it's my room-”
My eyes shot to his, and he laughed.
“No, not like that. There’s only one furnished bedroom. I’m not used to having houseguests.”
“I can’t take your room.”
“Of course you can. I’ll take the couch.”
