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We swivel around to see Maren standing at the entrance of the galley. She slowly walks down the aisle, taking note of our expressions. “What’s going on?”

Ramsay walks over to her with an impassioned look, gripping her face in his hands. “If you could live forever, just like me, as a Vampyre, would you do it?”

“But of course,” she says quickly. “We’ve talked about that. But that’s never been an option.” She glances over at Priest. “Because of what I’d become.”

“What if it didn’t have to be that way?” I say to her. Ramsay drops his hands from her face as she squares off toward me. “What if Priest had the ability to turn you into a Vampyre and only a Vampyre?”

“Because he’s a witch?”

“That might help,” Abe notes.

“Because I’m already a beast,” Priest says bitterly. “Because I was turned. According to the doctor, it’s a gift of sorts.”

“And I still think the fact that we’re already monsters, Syrens, means we’re used to staying in control,” I tell her. “We were never human to begin with.”

Maren walks over to Priest, and I can see the hope building in her eyes with every step. “You could turn me into an immortal? A blood-drinker? You would do that for me?”

Now Priest seems to be pushed into a corner. “I never said I would.”

Her eyes spark with determination. “But would you? I’m asking you, Aragon.”

He doesn’t say anything for a moment, and I don’t know what he’s thinking.

“It’s a risk.”

“I like risks,” she says with a slow grin. “Taking risks has gotten me the life I wanted.”

“Do I have to beg you?” Ramsay says. “Get down on my knees and take your wee cock from your pants?”

At that, Priest bristles, giving him the most offended look while Abe and I burst out laughing.

“I’d do anything for my lady,” Ramsay adds, putting his arm around Maren’s waist and holding her to him.

Priest looks around the room. So far, he’s the odd man out.

There’s a battle inside him, a need to stay pious, a need to avoid guilt.

Then, he closes his eyes and runs his hands over his face.

“Fine,” he concedes.

Maren and Ramsay let out happy sighs.

“But you won’t be happy when she becomes a monster,” he grumbles.

“I’ll take her in any way, shape, or form,” Ramsay says with a smile.

“Alright, so,” Abe says, clapping his hands together, “I reckon we should get started.” He pauses. “How should we get started?”

“Well, I have to kill her,” Priest says.

“This is macabre,” Thane mutters under his breath.

“And then bring her back to life,” Priest adds.

“Hmmm,” Abe says. “Kill her or bring her to the brink of death? That’s a fine distinction to make.”

Priest looks at me. “And you’re just okay with me doing this to your sister?”