Brad happens to be an extremely talented musician. He's the kind of person who can just pick up any instrument and manage to play it. He was playing a song that he had written, a melancholy love song. Russ didn't seem to notice; he was too busy checking out the house. For my part, I just stared.

Nicholas whispered to me, "Your boyfriend is very talented."

I nodded, too intent to reply. I just let the boyfriend comment pass.

Nicholas leaned very close to me, his voice little more than a sigh. "Don't even consider the idea of embracing him yourself, dearest Morgan. Embracing for love always leads to disaster and disappointment. When the time is right, when your boyfriend is ready, I'll come for him."

Brad's passionate playing faded to the end of the song. He didn't look up for a few moments, and when he did, he wouldn't meet my eyes. I didn't know what was going on, and I couldn't ask him, at least, not then.

It was a few nights later when Brad came pounding on the door. Nicholas had me practicing on the baby grand. I'd never had any formal music teaching before, and he was determined to correct that. I stopped playing as Nicholas went to the door.

He opened the door, a little vexed at the interruption. "Oh, hello, Brad."

I went to the door just as Brad pushed his way past Nicholas. He had a bunch of roses in his hands. He looked over at me. "Did you forget we had a date tonight, Morgan?"

"I'm sorry,"I lied, putting on my best poker face. "I completely forgot about it with moving and all." I looked over at Nicholas.

Nicholas shrugged. "Go ahead, but don't keep her out too late."

It was all I could do to keep silent as we got in Brad's car and drove off. None of this was like Brad at all, and I didn't know what kind of game he was playing or why. "Where are we going?"I finally asked.

"Back to my place," was the answer, which made it all the weirder to me.

Neither of us said another word until we were inside Brad's apartment. He had books piled everywhere on his table, and his monitor gave an eerie glow to the room until he switched the lights on. "We need to talk," he stated.

"I think that's the understatement of the year! What's going on? What are you up to? We both know we didn't have any date."

He nodded. "Yeah, I appreciate you following my lead like that. I had to get you away from there so we could talk.... away from him."

He turned away. When he turned back to me, he was holding a crucifix. "I've gotta know, Morgan. Part of me already knows, but I've gotta know for sure. You're a vampire now, aren't you? And all thanks to buddy Nicholas."

What could I say? Nicholas had talked at length about preserving the Masquerade, but this was different, or, at least, it was to me. I nodded.

He slammed his fist against the table. "I knew he was trouble when I first saw him! I told you to be careful, Morgan. I warned you. But you were so sure of yourself... and look where we are now."

He held out the crucifix. "Does this bother you? Or garlic? You've got a reflection, so that's ok."

"Fire and daylight are the only two things I can think of that bother me." Then I grinned mischieviously."Well, and a stake through the heart."

"Damn it, Morgan! This is serious. We've always covered for each other, and I'm not gonna stop now. But I have to know. I have to understand."