"Wiped out. Yes. That is the polite version. The accurate version involves pyres and drownings and the systematic extermination of every half-blood child born of vampire and mortal union for three hundred years. The Covenant calls it 'purification.' The Great Houses call it 'maintaining the bloodline.' The rest of us call it what it is — murder. Generational, institutional, sanctioned murder, carried out in the name of purity by creatures who have not been pure since before the fall of Rome."
She stood. Walked to the portrait. Pressed her hand flat against the canvas, against the painted face of the girl she had been.
