My new vampire friend untied the rope that held me to the chair. “Thanks,” I said, rubbing my wrists to get the blood flowing again. “So, what’s this better idea of yours?”

He cut the rope and held up the smaller piece. “Give me your hands.” I arched an eyebrow in protest, but he said, “We can go where we want if you’re tied up. I’ll make the knot loose so you can get out if you need to.” I sighed, holding out my arms.

“Your weapons are in the quarantine, thanks to the dead man’s blood. One of the cattle would have washed them clean by now.”

“Cattle?” I asked.

“It’s what the Alpha calls the Humans we keep for food. They also do the shit work we can’t. I feel sorry for them, hence the reason for the transfusion bags. I drink blood, not people,” he explained.

“Is this quarantine far? My family’s coming for me, but I’m not exactly the damsel-in-distress type,” I asked.

“It’s just down the hall. Most of the nest should be out by now,” he said, patting my wrists. “Let’s go!”