I can't stop thinking about vampire hunter Neil.
Neil, who is both Wesninski and Hatford, two of the oldest vampire hunting clans to still exist. Neil, who was taught the art of the hunt by his mother, but the only thing he learned from his father was brutality and fear.
Neil, whose father turned traitor and gave himself to the Moriyama coven, becoming a vampire in pursuit of power. Neil, who was going to be turned too, whose mother took him and ran before that could happen
Neil, who's never stopped moving. never stayed in one place too long, never settled anywhere. Who's killed more vampires and thralls than he can count, most of whom were acting on his father's orders. Neil, who sleeps with a stake under his pillow and keeps silver bullets in the chamber.
Neil, whose bullets are blessed and who carries holy water, who believes in God and hates Him, blames Him, but will use whatever tools are at his disposal to take down a vampire, faith and belief be damned.
Neil, whose mother kept him alive until she was bitten, whose mother ordered him to kill her before she turned. Neil, who was taught to trust no one, vampire or human. Neil, who couldn't bring himself to keep running after Mary was gone, who wanted nothing more than to stand still for once, just to see what it was like.
Neil, who met a vampire that offered him protection, whose old friend convinced him to stay. Neil, who fits right in with this coven of misfits, this family. Neil, who realizes that not all vampires are monsters, who knows that humans can be monsters too.
Neil, who sees how Andrew takes people in, how he keeps them safe and shields them, and wonders who is shielding you? Neil, who sees what no one else does, who understands how terrified Andrew is of being left behind.
Neil, who shares his knowledge of hunting vampires, bit by bit, teaching his new family how to defend themselves. Neil, who finally has a place, a home. Who is, for the first time in his life, happy.
Neil, who risks everything to protect his family. Neil, who hands himself over to Riko, knowing he'll be turned and enslaved for eternity, that he won't be able to escape like Kevin did. Neil, who by some miracle, escapes anyway, with Riko dead and his humanity still intact.
Neil, who gives Andrew his heart and his blood and everything he has, and Andrew giving his in return. Neil, who will never become a vampire but will stay with Andrew forever, or for however long forever lasts.
