"Wait, you're surprised the guy you rejected might do something to hurt you?  Ha.  That's funny," he said.  "He didn't set you up despite his feelings but because of his feelings.  No one likes getting rejected, and I double-plus bet that's true of vampire lords.  How many people turn down Blackvayne?  You insulted him, Vara.  Damaged his precious, delicate ego.  But that's good to know, that he wants to fuck you.  That gives you leverage.  We need to find a way to let him know that you lived, find a way to circulate a rumor that we've captured you, make the details lurid.  Then if you escape... he'll welcome you back with open arms."  It made saving her parents more problematic.  Once it was noticed they were gone, the assumption would be they went to be with Vara.  He still had a bit to think about that, though.  He was sure it could be overcome.  Something as simple as a fire, though they'd need to get some bodies.  Werewolves would be able to tell if there were a fire and no one got burned, though distinguishing between two badly burned human bodies was hard, even if someone would want to dig through smoldering ash to try.  But they'd need bodies... which were, in Geraint's experience, easy to find or make.<br/><br/>"But you kind of are a zealot.  Not necessarily a vampire zealot, but tell me what you think about the Gaian witches, again?  From your no doubt vast experience with them... though even at a distance, it's pretty clear that you've lived closer to humans than any werewolf I've met.  I bet you... like them.  Not individually, either.  But the idea of there<i>being </i>humans.  There's all kinds of zeal.<br/><br/>"My head's not clear.  I'm naked in a pool of water with a stunning young woman.  I'm not thinking properly at all."  He winked and went to the edge of the pool, pulled him out to sit down.  From his pile of clothes, he produced the jar.