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“Hey, girl.” Running his two fingers down one of Syn’s silky wings, tears gathered in the corner of Carver’s eyes. How stupid was it that he’d missed the small raven that he’d only met one time for a very brief interaction.

Hopping up, Syn brushed her sharp black beak over Carver’s cheek.

Closing his eyes as peace filled him, along with a warm feeling replacing the anxiety, Carver nuzzled back. This was nice. Could he take Syn with him once Dante was gone? Or would she fly away never to be seen again?

She warbled in the back of her throat and Carver opened his eyes.

“I’m okay,” he told her. “I just don’t know what to do. Everything is messed up and no matter what I decide, I’m going to end up hurting someone. Someone important.” At least Carver felt like Dante could be important to him.

Were they wrong about the vampires?

Sure, Carver hated his new life, but was it fair to blame Dante? That night had been bad for everyone involved. Dante didn’t act like the clan went around changing humans at random. Jesse, Nicholas’s partner, was human and seemed to really love his life.

Chewing on his thumbnail, there was one thing for certain: Carver really needed some answers. But how could he ask Dante anything without revealing what Carver’s mission had been? Dante would no doubt kick Carver to the curb as soon as he learned how deceitful Carver was.

But what if Owen and Kenny were right? Carver had been so sure that the bloodsuckers deserved their hatred.

No! All this back and forth was going to drive Carver insane.

He didn’t want to be a vampire. No one had asked his permission. Carver’s entire life ended the night that he’d been left in that dirty alley, drained, and on the verge of death. That was what he needed to remember. The pain, the hunger, the loss of everything.

“I’m sorry, little friend,” Carver said to Syn. “I can’t let what happened to me happen to anyone else. I can’t.”

They were hoping once that Dante, the clan leader, was gone, the rest of the bloodsuckers would run in fear knowing they were probably next. There was no guarantee but even if that didn’t happen, Carver could take the rest out eventually.

With a new resolve, Carver caught Syn gently in his hands before straightening his legs. He didn’t want the precious raven anywhere near what Carver was tasked to do. She didn’t deserve to see that.

“Go, baby girl,” Carver ordered. “Fly away now.”

Syn ruffled her feathers, then hopped from the palm of his hand to his wrist.

Carver shook his head. “Please? I need to find Dante and finish this. I’m so sorry.”

She croaked at him.

What was he doing? It wasn’t like this bird was understanding anything that Carver was telling her. He was just being silly.

Carver quickly turned his head to the side as a branch close by snapped, echoing in the quiet.

He scrambled to his feet while tucking Syn to his chest. “Who’s there?” he demanded. Like Carver had any right to be hiding in the trees in front of the clan house.

“It’s just me,” Dante replied.

Carver stiffened. How long had the older vampire been there? Carver hadn’t sensed anyone close but that didn’t mean much. He really was bad at this whole vampire thing.

Dante stepped into view and Carver’s breath caught.

It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since Carver had seen Dante, yet it felt like so much longer. Carver had to lock his knees so he didn’t run into Dante’s arms, which was what every instinct was screaming at him to do.

“Hello, boy,” Dante said warmly. “It’s good to see you.”

“How’d you know I was here?” Carver questioned. Was this another vampire trick that Carver didn’t know?

“I will always know when you are close.” Dante patted his chest. “I can feel you.”

That didn’t make sense. Carver shook his head. “What’s that mean?”

“May I come closer?” Dante requested.