"Because... you want to stay trustworthy. To protect your people and be clear to them that you're serious about it."

"Yes. I am serious. Very. Even all the vapid hotties he brought in, I'll protect; they're mostly useless but that's not the point."

"He has the whole family of vampires he leads. Can someone lead in his place? Or do we lose them?"

"Should be possible. I've asked an old empusa what happens if the first empusa to mutate into a vampire strain dies, and she said that one of his early turns should take over, but might not. Melissa has the potential for a weak witch, I'm going to offer her that."

"Might help?"

"Seems likely."

"Why tell me?"

"Because I was pretty sure you'd notice. Though you were quicker than I expected. And because I'm sure you can keep a secret."

"...That's not enough reason."

"You have the oracle's power, just like me. You'll see things. You're sharp. And... I am not entirely sure that when I have to confront him, I'll succeed."

"And you're picking me as your... insurance policy."

"Am I wrong? To count on you?"

"I... I feel like you must be."

"But you're already making a plan."

"More 'checking what I need to know to start planning.' But... yes."

"Good girl," Tesera murmurs, and kisses her again, her hands running through the long, messy hair, "I'm not wrong."

"I thought you couldn't stay in the mood?", Basia teased.

"Pretty ladies being dangerously competent gets to me, what can I say?"

"I don't think anyone's ever called me dangerous before. Let alone as flattery."

"Then they've all been very foolish, or you good at hiding it, or both."

"I didn't have much to hide. Just a little hacking. Now... it's a lot of information I can get ahold of."

"And knowledge is power."

"Magic is also proper power."

"And yet I think it's the less dangerous part. ...Will you mind if I treat you as just a favored lover in public, instead of showing you the respect you deserve?"

"I've hardly earned it. If you think I deserve it, that's your lookout." Not that it wasn't endearing to be told so. "To hide your insurance policy?"