10:30 p.m.

Kris wanted to melt into the cushion and disappear at his false accusation; almost mated was more like it. She crossed her arms over her chest defensively.

"Kris, I apologize for my husband's impoliteness," Alexis said. "He has a little trouble relating to the etiquettes on that subject." She looked at her husband and smiled at him; he returned her smile. "I understand your apprehension. I was in your shoes myself," Alexis said. "I, too, am saber-vampire. My husband is full-bred saber."

"I'm sorry, Kris," Vilgot said. "Alexis is constantly reminding me to be less crass. Please, tell me what you know, if you would."

Kris didn't know where to start. "I know nothing about my mother's side of the family, where we've figured I got the saber from. She died when I was four, and Dad died when I was 16, so I don't know if he knew. I was with a foster family until I was 18 and I've been on my own since. I never changed to saber until Pam changed me to vampire three days ago." She purposely kept the relationship between her and Pam to herself. "My first saber change was the next morning of the full moon. The second was when I drank from Eric the next night."

Alexis looked at Pam then back to Kris. "I see the resemblance now. How are you two related?"

Kris's head flew back in shock, though Pam showed none at all. "She … she is my aunt, her sister's 4th granddaughter." Kris was beginning to realize Alexis was more than she seemed.

Smiling warmly, Alexis said, "Yes, Kris, I am a telepath, but I can only read a thought or word here and there, and only with saber-vampires." Kris relaxed. "You cannot read me?" Kris shook her head. "Well, that's more than you knew before, right?" Again Kris nodded.

"Mr. Northman, you were with her during her change to vampire?" Vilgot asked, and Eric nodded. "It seems the union is complete."

"Wha'?" Kris asked. "No! We never …"

"Again, I apologize, Kris," Vilgot said. "It is also known as imprinting, but I'll explain that. Since you don't know much about your saber side, let me begin. It is true that saber tooth tigers did become extinct thousands of years ago."

"How are you full-bred saber, then?" Eric asked.

"Vampires and saber tooth tigers eventually intermingled, which was bound to happen. Vampires changed sabers when they were in their human form. The climate of earth at the time was becoming more difficult for the sabers to survive, and food for vampires was scarce. A select few of each species were buried together, though it was done in such a hurry there was no distinction between the two. Those that were not buried perished."

"What is a select few?" Eric asked.

"Less than a hundred, which was a great deal back in the day. After they rose they intermingled, living in packs for a time. The saber population is now up to a thousand, though that can't be confirmed with some in hiding or not completing the change."

"What did you mean by union?" Eric asked. He was just as impatient as Kris was.

"When a saber tooth has a litter, a surrogate would watch them while the mother went to hunt for food. If it were vampire, sometimes an instant bond would be made among certain sabers and vampires. The bond between the saber and its Maker never loses its power, though."

"Why did Kris change to saber after she had my blood?"

"Your vampire blood overrides the saber's blood. It simply speeds up the process, regardless if there is a full moon."

"Is there any danger to her?"

"No, but if any saber has too much, it could cause her to remain in her saber form forever."

Kris squirmed in her seat uncomfortably. Pam reached over and took her hand, squeezing tightly. "So, saber-vampires are made, not born?" Kris asked.

"Not necessarily. Alexis was already vampire, and after her Maker met the true death I took her in. It was almost twenty years before we conceived Arvid. He was born a normal, human child. What we've discovered with the research that is being done in Edinburgh is the saber gene is either dominant or recessive. If it's dominant, the change to saber is inevitable. If recessive, there is a chance it will eventually be passed down four or five generations later. In our case, both Arvid and Malte are human. There have been no full-vampire births that we're aware of."

"Vilgot, it is impossible for a vampire to sire a child or a female vampire to give birth," Eric said firmly.

"And yet it is possible that sabers exist, isn't it?" he pointed out.

Kris was slowing going into information overload. She put her head on the back cushion and closed her eyes. She didn't know how much more she could listen to, but she had so many more questions.

"What you need to know now, Kris, is that you'll change in the early mornings of the full moon. Your vampire side is still very much like a baby, up for a bit then right back down to sleep. When you are saber, the more full moons you go through the longer you will be saber."

"Vilgot, I think she's had enough for now," Alexis said, leaning forward in her chair, "We understand it's a lot for you to take in. But just know that the bond you have with Eric is real—" Kris shot a death glare at Eric, thinking he told them, though she couldn't fathom why he would. "Felines, regardless of their species, have scent glands, and I smelled it on you. I knew. What you make of it is up to you both, but it is perfectly acceptable. You don't have to worry about your heartbeat or breathing when you do … mate. It is completely natural for us saber-vampires. We are still sabers, and it seems sabers are ruled by their emotions."

She looked at her husband and smiled; he shrugged his shoulders and smiled back. Standing, he said, "That is sadly the truth. Mr. Northman, thank you for your hospitality." He walked to the end of the couch and looked at Pam. "Ms. Swynford Beaufort, we hope you will let Kris visit the school if she would like."

Pam nodded. "If she so chooses."

"I look forward to spending some time with you, Kris." She only picked her head up and tried to smile.

"Thank you for your time, Vilgot, Alexis," Eric said. "Let me show you out."

As they walked out of the room, Pam put her arm around Kris's shoulder. "Are you okay, honey?" Kris laid her head on Pam's shoulder.

"No. Got any catnip?" Kris asked.

"What?"

"We can't get high, right? I need something to calm me down."

Pam laughed. "That's my girl, making a joke."

"I don't feel very funny right now."

Suddenly a full glass of blood was in her hand. "Drink," Eric ordered, though his voice was soft.

As she did, she was starting to wonder who her Maker was. "Why do I feel like I still don't know anything?" she asked.

"Pam, may I take her?" Kris's eyes bugged out as she stared up at him. Finishing what they started upstairs was not what she needed. "Let me rephrase that. May I take her down to the lake?"

"God! What is it with you and fucking lakes, Eric?!" Kris snapped. "You are not my Maker! Just leave me the fuck alone!" She didn't just snap. She completely lost it.

Eric bent over her, his hands on the back cushion, his fangs an inch from her face, his mouth snarling. "You need to calm the hell down, Kris," Eric warned. "I've had enough of your shit. I'm just trying to help you, and I don't need your insolence. As a matter of fact," he said as he stood up, still towering over her, "I think I'll take your advice." He flew out of the room in a blur.

Immediately her body began to shake and she burst into tears, leaning into Pam's arms. She cried forever, and Pam let her, making sure her bloody tears didn't get on Eric's furniture.

After landing on the shore of Lake Tummel, Eric kicked the first rock he saw so hard it sailed almost to the other end. "Damn henne! Vad är fel med henne? Jävla präglande!"

Mr. Eric Northman was at a loss for how he was feeling. On one hand he did care about Kris, had gone out of his way for her, had wanted her, and she him. On the other hand she verbally attacked him more than once, then came back and apologized, and all was well? He didn't know what the hell he was even thinking. Well, Eric was going to put a stop to it. They might be imprinted, but he would put an end to it. He didn't give a damn about what it would do to her. He only needed to be rid of her.

Translation: Damn her! What is wrong with her? Fucking imprinting!