“Where are her parents?”

He hesitated. “That’s unknown. They fled shortly after Margola’s death. I think they were afraid Aveoth’s father would kill them for allowing her to die.”

“It sounds like they were responsible for her death or something? Were they?”

“No. Aveoth’s father was a full-blooded Gargoyle and cold as ice. He did blame them; felt they should have watched her better since she was promised to his son. She loved to take walks in the woods, and they allowed it. She ran into a group of hunters who must have thought she was an animal, since she was in her shifted form. They opened fire on her. She escaped them but died before the clan found her. They’d gone searching when she didn’t make it home. Lord Abotorus was enraged, since he’d allowed Aveoth to feed off her. He hadn’t wanted to but Margola’s parents had insisted. Afterward, Aveoth supposedly showed signs of withdrawal from her blood.”

“Let’s get back to the ‘kill her soul’ part, since you’re just confusing me more. Why would that have happened and how?”

“Gargoyles aren’t the friendliest beings you’ll ever meet. VampLycan women usually crave tenderness, and a man who will see to their emotional needs. Without it, she could lose the will to live.” He frowned. “Margola’s parents believed drinking her blood would teach Aveoth to want more from her than just sex. It was important to our clan to cement an emotional bond between them so he’d keep her happy. His father hit the roof when his son suffered withdrawals after her death, as if he’d become addicted.

“That same blood runs in your sister’s veins, and probably even in yours. Your bloodline is the taste we believe Aveoth craves the most. If it’s true, he’ll do anything to have that again, even go against his own beliefs. He hates Filmore, everything he stands for, but his weakness is the blood.”

“Doesn’t all blood taste the same?”

He shook his head. “No. Not only are we able to distinguish between types, but we can differentiate family bloodlines. Think of his addiction as a human’s preference for a favorite fine wine. The others pale in comparison.”

“Gross.”

“You asked.”

This is such a crazy story, Dusti silently sighed. It can’t be true. “So why would Aveoth even need someone else to find him a lover to begin with? Is he really hideous looking or something? Why would any parent want to hand over their daughter to this guy?”

“I’m certain he could find one on his own, but the arrangement would have helped strengthen the alliance between VampLycans and the GarLycans. Aveoth expressed a desire to have a lover and one was found. There was no need for him to search or have to worry that she would be surprised by what he is. His Gargoyle blood might make him cold, but he’s still a man. He wanted a warm, willing female to share his bed until he found his mate. Aveoth’s father arranged it with Margola’s parents.”

“So she was whored out to him?” It left a bad taste in Dusti’s mouth to even say it.

Kraven scowled. “I guess you would see it that way. She wasn’t forced to agree to become his lover. It was considered an honor to sacrifice the years she would have spent with him to keep peace between his clan and ours.”

“But she died before it happened. So who took her place?”

“Her name was Lane and she died recently. That’s why Decker sent for Bat. Aveoth needs a new lover.”

“Was Lane a relative of mine?”

“No, but she was willing to become Aveoth’s lover.”

“But you were talking about blood and how this Aveoth wants Bat because she’s related to Margola. Help me out here. I’m so confused.”

Kraven drew closer. “Aveoth settled for Lane. Once he learns about Bat, he’ll want her more than anyone else who might volunteer to become his new lover. Is that clear enough for you?”

“Bat isn’t going to volunteer for that.”

“Decker won’t care, and Aveoth might want her enough to overlook the fact that he has to force her to stay with him.”

“Because she’s a relative to Margola.”

“Yes.”

“Wow. So you’re saying my grandfather wants to turn Bat into a sex slave and this guy might go for it. Your world is totally fucked up. My sister would castrate the bastard if he tried to force himself on her.”

“You’re both too weak to defend yourself.”

“My sister is a shark. Never forget it. They don’t call attorneys that without cause.”

“Sarcasm is not an attractive trait in a woman.” Kraven softly snarled the words. “Bat wouldn’t stand a chance of stopping Aveoth from doing or taking whatever he wanted from her. You asked, and I have answered.”

“If Decker is so bad, why didn’t he just hand over his own wife to this Aveoth, if they were sisters? They might have tasted the same.”

He grimaced. “I’m certain he considered it, but Aveoth would never have allowed him to live. She was already mated to Decker when her sister died. To take a woman from a mate would mean killing him.”

“You gave me the impression Decker didn’t care about Marvilella, if he really did kill her, so he wouldn’t have fought to keep her.”

“It’s about pride and instincts.” Kraven sighed. “Aveoth would have killed her mate just to make certain she didn’t hold a bond to someone else. She was also already pregnant when her sister died. Aveoth wants a woman without offspring.”

“He sounds really picky. What’s wrong with being with a woman who has a kid?”

“Perhaps he doesn’t want to raise another man’s child. I don’t know. You’d have to ask him. But trust me, he’ll crave Bat’s blood.”

“You make it sound as if he’s going to salt her down and serve her up for dinner.”

“No, but if Aveoth is really addicted to the bloodline, it’d be a bonus if he can fuck her and drink her blood at the same time.”

“That’s really gross and demented.”

A grin curved Kraven’s features. “Remember you said that.”

“What does that mean?”

He rose to his feet slowly while he gave her an amused look that left her feeling unsettled. “That’s a discussion for you and my brother to have.” He spun away, striding toward the fire.