Dean hadn't really been aware of how much trouble he was in. He was aware he wasn't exactly following the rules he'd been given when he left, but he didn't figure anyone would follow him all the way from Louisiana just to take him to task for it.

He won't make that mistake again.

He sat down at the table and scrubbed his hands over his face. "That was the vampire I'm supposed to be linked to in vampire society. He claims to be my maker to avoid scandal from the real story."

The last questions weren't ones he was looking forward to explaining, but there was no avoiding it now. "For all their song and dance about peace and trust between vampires and humans, most vampires still view humans as property. They either belong to someone or they don't. If a human belongs to a vampire, another vampires can't take them."

"Eric was interested in you because you're important to me. If I didn't claim you, he'd take you... at least bite you... and neither of us would be able to stop him. Now that I've staked my claim, the only way he can have you is if you go willingly or I give you to him."