"Even if you keep your son safe, what do you think will happen once he grows up? How will you explain to him why he's not allowed to fall in love, tell others about his heritage, or have children of his own?" Lith asked.
Althika's rage died, and her face turned pale green. Tears of desperation streaked down her cheeks; the joy she had experienced a few seconds ago for being freed of the Vurdalak blood seemed a distant memory already.
"I'm sorry, child, but I haven't changed my mind." Baba Yaga bowed her head deeply in apology. "Lith is right. We can't allow a Vurdalak to live. No matter whose child they might be."
"How many times do I have to say that I'm not going to kill the baby?" Lith snarled. "I won't deny that once I step on the battlefield, I become a murderer, but this is a hospital ward, and I've come here as a Healer.
"My role is to protect lives, all kinds of lives. Not to take them."
