"Relax, little one. I know this knowledge is shocking to you," he murmured, frowning as he saw the precious blood seeping from three of the four wounds. He lifted her, cradled her in his arms, close to the shelter of his heart. Her plea sounded in his mind, echoed in his heart. "Never." Mikhail's harsh features were an implacable stone mask. He looked at the doors over their heads. The doors responded, flying open at the touch of his will. Raven closed her eyes. "You have no idea what I am," he said gently, floating up to the next level so nothing would jar her body. "Humans mix up the truth about my species with stories of the undead, stealing babies, killing, tormenting victims. I could not have saved you if you were dead. We are a race of people who belong to the earth, the sky, the wind, and the water. Like any other people, we have our talents and our limitations." He did not go into details about where vampires came from. She needed truth, but not everything at once."