Page 14 of Caller of Crows

"Be that as it may," Keegan continued, his expression turning serious, "I also found out about your mother. I'm sorry to hear that she's not doing well."

Sven's throat felt too tight for him to swallow down the thickness forming in it. "Was there a message from her? Did she try to call?"

"There was a missed call and a voicemail," Keegan said, studying Sven's face as he talked. "I didn't listen to your voicemail."

Sven glared at the vampire. Was he supposed to feel grateful for that? "I need to have my phone back," he said.

"You can have it back," Keegan said, surprising Sven, but then, naturally, the vampire followed his offer up with a condition. "I'll give it back to you as soon as you leave this place."

Sven blinked at Keegan. "You want me to leave?"

"This coven is no place for a mortal."

Sven took a moment to process that, trying to figure out what game Keegan was playing. "Altair would not let me leave," he said slowly.

"I'm not Altair," the vampire shot back. "Honestly, we don't even look similar. Pay attention."

"That's not how I meant it." Sven blew out an exasperated breath. "You guys are all about being loyal to your coven, and suddenly you want me to believe you'd go against Altair's wishes?"

"I don't believe in keeping prisoners."

Sven gave Keegan a long look, but the vampire's expression remained unreadable. "You expect me to believe that you'd help me escape out of pity?" Sven challenged.

"Not out of pity," Keegan said firmly. "But because it's the right thing to do. You don't belong here, Sven. You've got a life outside of this coven, and it wouldn't be right to keep you from it."

Sven's gaze narrowed at Keegan. He still found it hard to believe the vampire would act out of altruistic motivations. "I've got my reasons to want to be here."

"Your mother?" Keegan guessed correctly.

Sven grimaced.

"Does she know of your plan? Do you think she'd approve?"

"That's none of your business."

"Fair enough," Keegan allowed. "I'm only here to offer you a way out if you need it."

Sven's brows furrowed. Could he afford not to take that offer?

Could he afford to place any sort of trust in Keegan?

Truth be told, he knew nothing about the vampire.

"I'll give you some time to think," Keegan said. "But don't wait too long. You're scheduled for your first blood donation in a few hours."

Sven swallowed hard at those words.

Even after Keegan had left, the words he said sat heavy in Sven's stomach. He'd known that he would be giving blood when he came here, and yet…

How did you mentally prepare yourself for something like that?

Sven didn't even know how much of his blood the vampires would take from him. Probably as much as he could give without dying.

Sven shuddered, sitting back down in one of the armchairs.

He scolded himself for being so scared. Only one night ago, he'd been ready to do whatever it took to save his dying mother.

Now he was thinking about escaping?