"It is not hard to see," he said, with a slight, lopsided smile.  But even if the person knew what he was trying for, it usually worked.<br/><br/>When she explained her situation, he went out of her sight and put the jar back in the cabinet where he'd gotten it, in thought.  He returned to her field of view with a set of keys, wearing a pair of leather gauntlets.  He unshackled her.  Armed and armored, he thought he would have the advantage if she decided to attack him, but there was a risk.  But it was time.  She'd given him something big and he needed to show he was trustworthy.<br/><br/>He crouched down in front of her, his hands on her thighs, looking into her eyes.  "I can help you get them out.  Why don't we get them out, first, and then we can talk about what I want from you.  Maybe removing you as Darkvayne's pawn is enough.  And if I wanted to kill you, Vara, I could have done it already.  I don't want to kill you and there's no particular reason you have to die.  The truthful part is that the path to your survival is treacherous and all uphill.  It's going to take smarts, strength, and more than a little luck to see you alive at the end of all of this.<br/><br/>"Maybe it was used as power, I don't know.  That's my interest in all of this.  If I can get into his fortress, I hope to be able to find out.  Someone must know.  I'm sure Darkvayne knows.  I've been told that he's been around since the Old Days, that he was there, and he understands many things that have been lost to time, decay, and ignorance.  But I think he's got some scholars, too, and if I can get to one... I do not think it would take me long to get the truth from them."  He had a power that he could use, a kind of magic, but it was not reliable against werewolves and less so against vampires.  But against people?  It worked like the charm it was.  "But getting your parents out would be the priority.  Otherwise, you'd just think I'm a fucking liar using you to get what I want.<br/><br/>"I have a way of making it so werewolves smell like humans.  It's a preparation, easy enough to make if you know the lore of it.  Which I do."