Of course, if she and Lowen kept pushing me on matters I didn't want to be pushed on, I would rethink that stance. I was sure a pet, maybe a cat, could fulfill the same role while causing me less headaches.
A thought occurred to me. "Wait, how can Thomas allow me a house? Doesn't my deal with the sorcerer preclude me from being forced into such things."
A few years ago, I'd been foolhardy enough to make a bargain with a sorcerer and then purposely failed to uphold my part. Now I owed the sorcerer a hundred years of service.
In retrospect, it had been a dumb move. In my defense, I'd been desperate not to let the vampires sink their claws into me.
When vampires made other little vampires, they assumed the responsibility for the newly turned. For one hundred years, the sire controlled every aspect of their progeny's life. In return, the sire was tasked with the responsibility of teaching the new vampire the ropes.
In my infinite wisdom, I'd decided that having my every action controlled for a century wasn't for me. Hence, the sorcerer's mark I carried on my forearm.
It protected me in some ways, but it also left me out in the cold when it came to vampire society. Not one of the clans, but still a vampire.
Everyone knew if you attacked a vampire who had a clan, you were also taking on that clan.
Without one, I was fair game. The rest of the spook world saw me as weak. If I had no one, there was no one to avenge my death. Hence the many assassination attempts I'd survived. So far, most of those who'd come after me were small fry—easily defeated.
With recent events, I had to wonder if that had changed. If the Scattered were after me because of something another vampire had done, I was more than screwed. I was likely a dead vampire walking.
"Didn't Thomas tell you that he couldn't compel you to join a clan, but that you could join one of your own volition," Inara said. "Perhaps your hiring Connor and letting him stay was enough of an opening for him to authorize your House."
That was an awful small opening.
"It’s not be an entirely bad idea. With you in a house, others will be less likely to attack." Inara pointed at Connor. "Especially if he's part of your House."
He frowned at her.
Seeing my confusion, Inara rolled her eyes. "I did a little digging on your vampire brother. Before he got caught in Niamh’s web, he was considered as deadly as Liam. Even the Fae have a name for him after all these centuries. The pale reaper."
I considered Connor, unable to help my curiosity over how he’d managed to get a name like that.
His expression gave nothing away.
As much as I hated to admit that anything Thomas did might benefit me, Inara was right. Having Connor affiliated with me in an official capacity would keep some of the riff raff off my back.
"I need to think about this," I said.
Inara snorted. "It sounds like it doesn't matter what you think. It's a done deal. Right, vampire?"
Connor dipped his chin. "If the master of the city has decreed it, we will not be able to undo the house's formation."
That wasn't what I wanted to hear.
Connor hesitated. "What is this deal with the sorcerer? Why would you think it would keep you from a house?"
Inara laughed. "He doesn't know of your stupidity. This should be good."
I sent her a flat look that said shut up.
"Go ahead, show him." Inara tilted her head at Connor.
"Show me what?" Connor asked.
As if sensing it was the topic of conversation, my mark pulsed once.
"Her sorcerer's mark." Inara's lips twisted in disgust.
Not that I could fault her for that outlook. The mark had been a source of trouble from the start. It hadn't been nearly as helpful as I'd hoped.
