Guilt Was Its Own Prison.

You Know, Aunt Tasha Makes Jokes About How Youʹd Actually Be A Better Queen Than The Others, Except Sometimes . . . I Donʹt Think Sheʹs Joking.

Well, You've Finally Got A License To Kill. It's About Time.

She Has Very Strong Ideas About Family - Ideas That Probably Sound Kind Of Sexist To You. She Believes All Dhampirs Should Train And Put In Time As Guardians, But That The Women Should Eventually Return Home To Raise Their Children Together. But Not The Men? No, He Said Wryly. She Thinks Men Still Need To Stay Out There And Kill Strigoi.

No,''he Said.''i Was A Strigoi. I Was One Of Them. I Did...terrible Things.'' The Words Were Mild, But The Tone Of His Voice Spoke Legions. The Radiant Faces Of His Family Turned Sober.''i Was Lost. Beyond Hope. Except...rose Believed In Me. Rose Never Gave Up.

Dreams, Dreams. I Walk Them; I Live Them. I Delude Myself With Them. It's A Wonder I Can Spot Reality Anymore."... He Turned From Me With A Sigh. "i Need A Drink."... "oh, Good. That'll Fix Everything. I'm Glad In A World Gone Mad, You've Still Got Your Old Standbys."... "what Do You Expect Me To Do?" He Asked. "you Could... You Could... Well, Now That You're Here, You Could Help Us. Plus, This Guy We're Meeting. He's Another Spirit User."... "yeah, That's Exactly What I Want. To Help My Girlfriend Get Her Old Boyfriend Back. " He Turned Away Again, And I Heard Him Mutter, "i Need Two Drinks."