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“I don’t think so,” Catrin said from beside him.

The words didn’t make sense and he glanced at her. “What?”

“I’ve been doing some reading up on the subject since Regan was bitten. A human woman could never have carried you to term. No, whatever you are, it isn’t human.”

Caleb held himself very still, as though if he didn’t move he could ignore the shock pouring over him, choking him. It was a lie. How could she possibly know? He’d always clung to the belief that his mother was human, and Ethan had never denied it. Caleb had embraced the idea of that humanity. All through his childhood, it had given him strength to know that he didn’t belong completely in Ethan’s world. And when he’d turned his back on his father, he thought he had a right to a life among men. Maybe he had no right at all.

What else could his mother be?

He looked across the table, where two vampires sat watching him, then glanced to his side, where a witch sat, staring at the table. The fact was, far more existed in this world than he’d been willing to consider. The wolves had always kept to themselves, and he’d never encountered any other supernatural beings before. He’d suspected they existed, but never gave it much thought. As long as they left him alone, he’d wanted nothing to do with them.

He pushed back his chair and rose to his feet.

Darius regarded him curiously. “Don’t you want to know what she was?”

The question brought him up short. Could the vampire actually tell him, and did he was to know?

“Do you know what she was?” He had to force the question out.

“No. But maybe I could find out.”

“How.”

“I could taste you.”

For a second, Caleb didn’t understand. Then anger rushed through him. The vampire meant his blood. No way was he letting a bloodsucker anywhere near his neck.

“Fuck off.”

Darius laughed softly. “It won’t hurt, and it won’t be in any way”—he glanced at his wife and something passed between them—“sexual.”

“Jesus,” Caleb muttered. “It never occurred to me that it would be.” He shook his head. “I’m out of here.”

Nobody tried to stop him as he left the kitchen, stalked down the hall. He pushed open the front door, then came to an abrupt halt. Regan stood on the other side.

She raised an eyebrow when she saw him, a small smile curling her lips. “Well, well,” she murmured. “Come back for some more of that love potion?”

He couldn’t take this right now. “I’m just leaving,” he muttered and strode down the stone steps without waiting for another word.

“Caleb.”

Catrin spoke from behind him, and he turned to see her framed in the open doorway beside Regan.

“What?”

“You’re a good man; don’t forget it.”

“Actually, it appears I might not be a man at all,” he said and stalked away.