"A fallen angel," I said.
"Right," said Kingsley. "Something like that."
"I spoke to whatever's in you," I said. "He said you were his vehicle to gain entrance into the mortal world again."
"So you said before. Remind me to kick his ass if I ever meet him."
I tried to smile. Mostly, I was successful. I said, "Do you feel him inside you?"
"Not really, Sam. Then again, I don't necessarily feel much when I change."
"Do you feel anything?"
"I feel anger and hate and blind rage."
"But you didn't attack me in my room last year."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I knew it was you."
"But did you want to attack me?"
"A part of me did. Very badly."
"But you resisted," I said.
"With all my strength and will."
"What would have happened if you attacked me?" I asked.
"We wouldn't be here now."
"Because I would be dead."
"No...you would have survived. And I would have survived, too. Vampires are as strong or stronger than even a full-blown werewolf. I'm not sure our relationship would have survived."
I shrugged. I hadn't thought of that. I said, "So, I'm as strong as you?"
"Don't sound so pleased, but yes. Although my size factors into things, I would say you are particularly strong, even for a vampire."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. There's something going on with you that I haven't quite put a finger on."
"Oh, you put a finger on it."
He laughed. A sharp bark that startled me. "Anyway, even your everyday vampire at full power is nearly unstoppable."
"But you stopped Dominique," I said, referring to the events of seven months ago, when my son had been dying and I had faced down a particularly old and desperate vampire.
"I said nearly," said Kingsley. "That night could have quickly gone south for me."
I patted his hearty chest. I could have been slapping a side of beef. "Then it's a good thing you're such a big boy."
"Big has its benefits."