Jett paused, then looked at Myrna - his brown eyes met hers.

  "Okay, but what about Renja? Why was she so interested in me? Why did she turn me into…this?"

  He pointed at himself for further emphasis.

  Myrna sighed, her expression was thoughtful.

  "Renja…she is a complex individual. She is old, even by our standards. She has seen much, experienced much. She is particular in her interests."

  Jett raised an eyebrow. "Particular? What does that mean?"

  Myrna hesitated. "Renja…she can be solitary. She often keeps to herself. But when she finds something…or someone…that interests her, she can become quite focused."

  Jett frowned. "So, I was her new shiny toy?"

  Myrna shook her head.

  "Not a toy, Jett. You are different. You have a unique energy, a unique scent. It is something that attracted her. And when she learned that you were a Veschar, it further intrigued her."

  Jett blinked. "Wait, how did she know I was a Veschar? I thought that the reason for my transformation - was because she drank from me."

  Myrna shook her head.

  "That is part of it. But your Veschar lineage was already present within you. It was…dormant. The Carcinoma Strain - as it is called - was lying within your body."

  Jett frowned. "So, I was already a Veschar?"

  Myrna nodded. "You carried the potential. Renja's actions…they activated it. The transformation was triggered when she fed from you."

  She paused, then added:

  "And I believe encountering the Gloom Goblin may have also played a role. Seeing a creature like that…it can awaken dormant abilities."

  Jett held his head in his hands, his expression was a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

  "Oh my god," he groaned. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"

  He looked up at Myrna, his eyes were wide and his face was losing it's color.

  "So, you're telling me I was walking around with a dormant vampire inside me? Like some kind of…time bomb? And Renja and a Gloom Goblin were the ones who set it off?"

  He shook his head, his voice began rising in pitch.

  "This is too much. This is way too much. I can't even…I can't even process this. It's like my life is a really bad horror movie, and I'm the clueless protagonist who keeps stumbling into increasingly ridiculous situations."

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  He started pacing again, his hands were waving about wildly.

  "A Gloom Goblin! I saw a Gloom Goblin! And now I'm a dormant vampire time bomb? And Renja is my sire? And there's a vampire court? And the Iron Crown? And Murk?"

  He stopped pacing and looked at Myrna.

  "Can this get any weirder? Please tell me this is the end of the weirdness. Please—tell me my life is going to go back to normal! Please tell me I can just deliver pizzas - play video games without running into monsters - and vampire royalty!"

  He paused, then added:

  "Oh, and how much am I supposed to remember all of this?"

  Myrna watched him, her expression was calm and reassuring.

  "You will remember what is important, Jett. The rest…it will come in time."

  She paused, then added:

  "And as for your…situation…your new life…it may seem overwhelming now. But you will adapt. You will learn to accommodate yourself to this world. It may not be the life you expected, but it can be fulfilling."

  Jett stared at her, his expression was still troubled.

  "Fulfilling? How can any of this be fulfilling? I'm a vampire, I have a monster rat, I'm caught in the middle of some supernatural power struggle. How is that fulfilling?"

  Myrna smiled, and continued:

  "Because, Jett —you are more than you think. You have potential, resilience, and a unique perspective. This new life…it will challenge you, but it will also reveal things about yourself that you never knew."

  She paused, then added:

  "And you are not alone. You have Brenda, you have Murk, and you have me. We will help you. We will guide you. You will come to accept this, eventually. I understand that this is a lot to take in. Why don't you take a moment? Have some tea. Pet Garfield. Just…breathe."

  She waited until Jett had taken a few calming breaths and had resumed petting the ginger cat.

  "Good," she said. "Now, when you are ready, I will explain more about Renja. About her past, and how she came to be…who she is."

  Jett nodded slowly, he furrowed his brows in contemplation.

  "Okay. I'm…listening."

  Myrna steepled her fingers, her violet eyes gazed into the distance as if looking back in time.

  "Renja…she was born a princess. In the Kingdom of Serbia, many centuries ago. It was a time of great upheaval, of shifting alliances and tensions in the Balkans."

  She paused, her voice took on a more somber tone:

  "Her father, Aleksandar Obrenovi?, was the King. Her mother - Draga Ma?in - was his Queen. Their reign was…tumultuous. There was much political unrest, and the people were divided."

  Myrna sighed softly.

  "Renja was young when tragedy struck. In 1903, a group of army officers - known as the Black Hand, staged a brutal coup d'état. They stormed the palace and…assassinated both King Aleksandar and Queen Draga."

  Jett's eyes widened in shock. "They were murdered?"

  Myrna nodded sadly.

  "Yes. It was a horrific event. The entire royal family was targeted. Renja…she was spared and hidden away by loyal servants. But her life…it was forever changed."

  She continued:

  "The assassination marked the end of the Obrenovi? dynasty and brought about a new era in Serbian history. It was a time of great instability, and for a young vampire princess…it was incredibly dangerous."

  Myrna looked at Jett, her violet eyes were filled with a hint of sorrow:

  "Renja was already…different. Even before the coup, her Veschar nature was manifesting. After the death of her parents, she was alone - hunted. The events of that time…they shaped her. They forced her to become the solitary, guarded individual you have encountered."

  She paused.

  "The Veschars were never numerous, even in those times. The combination of her lineage and the tragedy she endured made her…one of the last of her kind."

  Jett frowned. "So, that's why she's so…intense?"

  Myrna nodded. "Partially. The trauma of her past…it lingers. But there is more to it than just that."

  She lowered her voice slightly - her voice dropped.

  "The forces that orchestrated the downfall of the Obrenovi? dynasty…they did not simply vanish with the passage of time. The organization known as the Black Hand…it still exists today."

  Jett's eyes widened. "Seriously? They're still around?"

  Myrna nodded with a grim expression.

  "They have evolved and adapted. Their goals may have shifted - but their methods remain the same. They are a malevolent organization - involved in various clandestine activities across the globe. And they still harbor a particular…interest in the remnants of the old Serbian monarchy, including Renja."

  Jett stared at her, his mind was racing.

  "So, Renja's not just dealing with being an ancient vampire princess, she's also being hunted by a centuries old secret society?"

  Myrna sighed.

  "It is a complicated existence, Jett. One filled with constant dangers. Her interest in you…it is likely multifaceted. Perhaps she sees a connection, a kindred spirit. Or perhaps…"

  Myrna's gaze shifted towards the window for a moment.

  "Perhaps it is something more strategic."

  Jett frowned, he leaned forward.

  "Strategic? What do you mean by strategic?"

  Myrna hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully.

  "The Black Hand…they are a persistent threat. They have sought to eradicate the remnants of the Serbian royal family for over a century. Renja, as one of the last, is a target."

  She paused, her violet eyes became fixed firmly on Jett's.

  "Your sudden appearance - your unique nature as a Veschar…it could be seen as a…resource. A potential ally. Someone unburdened by the long history and the many enemies Renja has accumulated."

  Jett stared at her, his mind was working to piece together the information.

  "So, you think Renja turned me into a vampire…not just because she was interested, but because she thought I could be useful?"

  Myrna nodded slowly.

  "It is a possibility. Renja is pragmatic. She does what she believes is necessary for her survival. And perhaps for the survival of her lineage."

  She then added softly:

  "Or perhaps…it is both. Perhaps she is genuinely intrigued by you, and she also recognizes your potential…in the conflicts to come."