The recording begins with the part I was still there for, but, as soon as I’m gone, Chase breaks into a terse whisper-shout. “What the h*ll are you thinking?”

“What do you mean?” Nick’s voice replies.

“He’s human!” Chase bellows softly. “He’s gong to get killed, either for knowing the secret or because the Bloodfangs kill him!”

“No, he won’t,” Nick says. “I know he’s not human.” That statement takes me aback. Could ...