Vara watched him for several moments, but she did not respond to his words until a few beats of silence passed between them.  It was not as if she thought Blackvayne was the good guy in all this.  There were no more “good” guys.  They died centuries before the world had gone to complete and utter shit.  Now there were just the ones left that held onto power and ensured you did not die a horrible, painful death.  Many other communities would have put her parents out to pasture, sent them off to die.  Her service to Blackvayne kept them safe.  If he had sent her out to die or be captured, then that safety was in jeopardy now.  She sucked in a breath and blew it out again.<br/><br/>“The ironic part is I know what you’re doing.  Empathizing, comforting.  Gods, it’s simple to see...” Vara had watched others do the same, only for them to turn on the subject of their feigned comfort once they got what they wanted.  She was caught, but his argument made logical sense.  Vara was a sacrifice.  A piece given up in the desire for something better.  Staying loyal was likely not going to save her anymore and it was not going to protect her parents.<br/><br/>“My mother and father are still back there, with him.  If I help you, then you have to help me get them out of there...” Information was the only thing she had to give.  She had no desire to live among the hypocritical witches, but she could not leave her parents behind either.  Perhaps, if Geraint was earnest, he offered another path to her, outside of the chessboard.  Or it was just another fantasy she was willing to let herself believe.  “What do you want?  His fortress is nearly impenetrable, he will use wolves and humans alike for shields if he needs to.  He lives for power.  Maybe that’s why he wants that vile stuff.  It was used as a form of power wasn’t it?”<br/><br/>Her gaze narrowed.  “And let’s be truthful with one another, it’s not as if those wolves will ignore my presence even if I give you what you want.  I’m likely dead either way, best not to sugarcoat it...”