The new deal

"Please, have a seat." He said, casually, as if we were old friends catching up. I scented the air around me, but I could feel the protection charms around him, blanketing his true scent. I stiffined, yanking my hand from his.

"Who gave you those protection charms?" I demanded, readying for an attack. The most likely explanation was that he was already part of the vampri alliance with the shadowmoon, which meant I had walked directly into a trap.

"Your mother." He grinned widely, and aside from his cuspids, also known as canine teeth, being a little sharp, there was nothing alarming about his mouth. "Ah, don't worry, I won't use them on you, not unless you ask." He paused, thoughtful. "Not unless you ask, nicely." And he grinned again, tugging me to the sofa. It occured to me that I should shield myself, but a warm, relaxed feeling washed over me, and I found myself eager to hear him speak again.

"You are Heleos?" I asked, then without waiting for an answer, "When did my mother give y