Rhea pulled her head back. “What? Are you kidding me?" She felt tears sting her eyelids as she experienced a wave of emotions. “I thought you …you actually cared about me…" Arras sat back, “I'm not joking with you, this is real. I am real. This curse is real." He looked at her with tortured eyes, clenching and unclenching his fists. “I am only telling you because, for some reason, I feel like you would keep this secret. I do care about you, but caring about you will only lead to disaster." Rhea was taking short, shallow breaths, the confused feelings in her heart giving way to compassion and belief. She recalled all the strange moments and feelings she had had since first running into Arras Mordhas. “I…don't know much about…vampires…" Rhea said quietly. “But I do know if you care a