52 A Veil of Deception (AVOT)

The single word hung heavy in the air between them - 'care.' It was stripped now of its companions - 'love' and 'protect'.

"Is that what you want to ask of all? Have you not realized yet what I am?" Rhain responded, his tone heavy with frustration.

"A vampire! I know!" she shot back. "But you can care."

"Care for my food?" he replied, his words sharp like razors.

A flash of fury blazed in her eyes, and she reached out to grasp his collar. "Are you saying you don't care?" she demanded.

"Yes. I am merely bringing you soup to replenish you," he said calmly, attempting to remove her grip from his collar. But she held on, her knuckles turning white with effort.

"You are lying," she stated, her voice barely a whisper.

He stiffened at her accusation.

"You lied about everything. It must be fun for you to lie as well," she spat.