"Yeah.  I can't think of a single time that I even heard about a vampire doing something that made someone happy," Geraint said.  "And he made us stronger.  That's a bad strategic move.  Maybe if there's enough in it for him, but... if he's such a clever manipulator, why hasn't he predicted that we're going to have this conversation?  That we're going to talk - in practical terms - how to get him to play for us, to avoid his strings and entanglements.  At best, all he has is your parents.  It's a good card, but he can only play it once.  Assuming they're still alive - and that's a big assumption - if he kills them, you're going to be totally intractable.  You will hate him on a personal level that has no boundaries.  His leverage over you is gone unless he can snap up me.  I don't know what's going on in his mind, or what he knows or doesn't know, but I'm not sure we should assume he can't make mistakes, that he's not making this up as he goes along, playing with that vampire mystique he's got.<br/><br/>"I mean, he's made it this far.  He's got what it takes to thrive in this world.  But... the appearance of strength is not the same as the possession of strength.  If you look strong, your enemies might leave you alone, but you're not sure if someone is strong until you test them.  I'm in a testing mood."<br/><br/>He nodded about how hard it would be for them to find leverage over him.  He shook out the sheets he'd brought, started to fold them up.  He said, "Part of me thinks that maybe we should still just make a break for it.  If we put enough distance, maybe that thing where he can talk to you in your dreams will be gone, or we can find someone to help us get rid of it.  Just deny him what he wants.  We can't fight him and we don't have anything on him.  What's so bad about running?  Except... your parents."