Our pack grew stronger. We no longer tensed at every rustle beyond the border. On clear days, our members traveled into human towns in groups—mingling with the crowds, exploring the unfamiliar, and finding it endlessly fascinating.
Sylus and I occasionally took time away for ourselves.
We flew to nearby cities to see what new wonders humans had invented.
We admired the elegant displays in store windows, followed the scent of food drifting from street vendors, and watched children chase balloons through the crowd, their bright laughter ringing around us.
I had never doubted that most humans were kind and harmless.
I also believed that not every vampire was a bloodthirsty monster. There were good ones too.
No matter how far we traveled or how much peace and excitement we found outside
