Page 18 of Rite of Blood and Secrets

"I don't know." I frown. "I guess it feels wrong to kill people for it when I've spent my whole life thinking I'm human."

"I can't speak for all vampires, but I've never killed anyone," Marcus responds. "And the blood provided for events like this is donated. There's a strict system for the human staff on our estates outside the palace so that no one sustains too much blood loss, and everyone is compensated fairly."

"And do they know what they're signing up for when they become donors?"

"They do."

I frown as I try to untangle the complicated thoughts I'm having about the situation. I suspect it's going to take longer than one evening to do that. "You said that you haven't killed anyone. Do other vampires?"

"Yes."

My surprise must be evident on my face because he gives a nervous laugh.

"Did you expect me to lie to you?" he asks.

"I don't know."

"Well, I don't see the point. You'll realise soon enough, and there's nothing you can actually do about it anyway. If you protest too vocally, you'll be put outside in the sun to burn."

"Maybe that's better than destroying lives," I counter.

"Perhaps. But I'd like to think that there's more that can be done from the inside, working stealthily to make things better, and to improve the situation. And to do that, I need to be alive. I'd greatly consider that option, if I were you."

I bite my bottom lip and nod. He has a point. I don't particularly want to die, even if I don't want to lose myself to whatever it is being a vampire entails. Though I suppose there isn't really much for me to lose. I've always been this, it's just now come to my attention.

"Has Lord Fallmartin killed anyone?"

"Lord Fallmartin has been alive for a very long time. He's a savvy politician and a celebrated general."

"That's not a no." In fact, it sounds very much like a yes.

"I would be concerned for your brother if I were you. Lord Fallmartin is known for his ruthless streak, and that has in the past stretched to his heirs. There are rumours that he frequently makes trips to the surrounding towns to seduce women and ensure he has more dhampirs to choose from should he need one on the next Golden Moon."

"He hasn't introduced us to any siblings," I say. "Just two cousins."

"Mmm. The kinder rumours say he leaves the spare dhampirs to become servants within the castle. The harsher rumours say that he leaves them where they are and intends for them to die when the sun rises."

"That's horrible."

"It's just a rumour," Marcus assures me. "And he won't do that to either of you now that he's introduced you to the court. You're far too useful for him now."

"I'm not sure I want to be useful to him," I murmur.

"You'll have no choice. That's how court works. But luckily, you'll make friends to help you navigate."

"Is that why you're hiding in a corner talking to me?" I ask.

"Maybe I'm making one of said friends," he responds. "And advising you that you should have a goblet of blood at midnight, whether you choose to drink it or not." He gestures for one of the servants and asks them to bring me one.

"Why?"

"The toast to the Golden Moon. Trust me that you don't want to be without a drink." There's a hint of bitterness in his voice, though I don't know where it can possibly be coming from.

The servant reappears and offers me a goblet. I take it with a tight smile. It really does smell good, even if I don't want to admit that to anyone, even myself.

"Is there anything else I should know?" I ask.

Marcus opens his mouth but shuts it again when a shadow crosses us.

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