“The drawback of this disease is that we thirst for blood. We need it to survive, and the hunger for it is terribly hard to control. Over the years, we’ve become better at it, trying to use farm animals whenever possible, and we’ve also discovered if we can knock our victims unconscious, we can feed and not kill them in the process. Nonetheless, it is rather difficult not to take all they have once we start.

“I need you to understand, though, that none of us asked for this, and at times I’m appalled by my own nature; however, just like a student can learn from a book, a vampire can learn from time. Over these past few years, though, I believe I’ve proven just that because you’ve seen more of the man and less of the monster. Haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“And it is that man who is sitting before you right now, a man prepared to be totally honest with you, for I feel you could be my salvation.”

“How?”

“Because you’re smarter than you realize,” Max said, looking Bennett in the eye. “For almost forty years, the only intellectual conversations I’ve had were when my peers have visited. They, like me, received a proper education prior to becoming vampires, yet those who’ve become like us since that time, well, unfortunately, their interests are far more rudimentary.”

“Rudimentary?”

“Yes...straightforward or…or basic.”

“You mean simple?”

“Exactly,” Max said, bobbing his head. “Anyway, from what I’ve seen from you, I have no doubt that in time, at least when it comes to intelligence, you could become my equal, someone with whom I could discuss not only literature and religion but astronomy and art as well. So, what I’m proposing is that you become my student, my only student. If you agree, your situation under my roof will improve, of that, I can assure you. Among other things, you’ll receive better food and lodging.”

Max was right. Bennett did process things, and at the moment, her mind was sorting and separating like it had never done before. She paid no mind to the seconds that turned into minutes, and then she anchored her gaze to his. “No.”

Max pitched forward in his seat and gaped at Bennett. “I’m sorry. Did you just say no?”

“It’s a word I think we both understand.”

A long moment passed before Max got to his feet. He poured himself some brandy and then sat back down. “Why?”