Page 77 of Those That Defy the Realm

“Maybe. It’s difficult to say. Ty gave me the information on the women he targeted before me and they have no link to the orphanage whatsoever. I’ve been working on this for several weeks now, trying to prove my lineage, and I can’t connect the others at all.”

“But surely not all the children in that orphanage were from vampires?” I look closely at some of the other names and the pattern of initials breaks.

“No, I don’t think they are. At least, some are not renamed in the same way. But I’m pretty sure there are eleven children that were placed in the orphanage by vampire parents. Meaning they would’ve been able to be turned once they reached adulthood.”

Which means there are unturned vampires out there, not knowing what they really are. More if some of them married like Rory’s or Claire’s parents did, and had children. Less, if any of them met the same fate as Rory’s parents.

“Are any others still alive?” I ask.

“We’re not sure yet. Obviously, we know about my mum and dad. And we know Claire’s too. Which makes four of the total eleven. I’ll need some more time on the others to research more. I’ve put in requests with Mitch to see if he can trace the names.”

“What does this mean for me?” Claire interrupts, rightly so as Rory and I get sidetracked. My full attention turns back to my female.

“It means,” Antares answers before either of us can, “that you can get a pointy set of fangs like the rest of us whenever you want.”

“Would you want that?” Rory asks.

Nerves flutter in my stomach as Claire doesn’t answer right away. She looks at each of us once, twice, then drops her head to look at the wooden flooring. “I don’t know.”

“I know it’s a shock,” Rory says. “And you don’t have to decide anything now. But we can turn you, when you decide.” I note her use of when, not if but when.

“It would solve your problem,” Antares says.

Claire’s head snaps to him. “What problem?”

“The ‘you're a human’ problem.”

“It’s not a problem,” I snap, feeling Claire tense at his words.

“But it is, though,” Antares continues. “You’re together, it's so obvious you’re all in love. Surely you and Ash don’t want the heartbreak in half a century when Claire dies! This resolves that issue completely! You can’t tell me you haven’t already thought about it.”

“It’s been like five minutes,” I growl. I’m going to punch my friend if he doesn’t shut up. This is a big shock and Claire doesn’t need any pressure.

“But you’re not denying it.”

Claire shifts in my grasps once more. “Henry? Do you think I should turn?”

Her question has me clenching my jaw. Anger boils in my veins at Antares flippancy. And I’d just been praising him for his tact. Of course I’d love to have Claire for centuries— millennia—instead of decades. If this was down to me, I’d offer her my blood right now and change her into one of us.

But I can guess that this is bringing up a lot of her insecurities. I want her in whatever way I can, human or not. I will love her for eternity whether she remains in this life for all of mine or moves on to whatever’s next. I’ll find her in the next life when I get there, whatever it looks like.

This needs to be her choice.

“Claire, we’ve just received this information. Let’s process it.”

“You don’t want me to change?” She misinterprets my words.

“That’s not what I said.”

Claire stands in a sudden burst of movement. She steps over Rory, where she’s still kneeling in front of the sofa and begins pacing. “It’s a simple question Henry. Either you want me to become a vampire just like you or you don’t?”

I stand as well, but don’t move towards her despite every muscle in my body poising to do so. “It’s your choice, Claire. I don’t want to influence you.”

She stops like I’ve made a physical blow, leaving me scrambling as to what I’m doing wrong.

“If it was your choice, what would you choose?”

“You.” I do move towards her now. “Every time, I’d choose you. I hope you know that. I would love for us to have all the time in the realm, centuries if we’re blessed. But you have to know I don’t care what species you are. I just want as much time with you as possible.”