Aaron728

It's not a strategic benefit to simply leave Dani alone in the world, not knowing anything about him or his motives. Vinicius sheltered him from the world and limited his interactions with people. One could assume how Dani would respond based on Vinicius's personality and belief system, but it would only be an assumption. Dani could have easily gotten lost in his gift and become and uncontrollable killing machine. Emotions are a bitch and the psyche of a teenager is at best unpredictable. The goal would have been getting to Dani - but ultimately no one could have known what they were going to get when they actually did get to him. Even 33 chapters in, we still don't know which way Dani will go. A strongly gifted, emotionally wounded, naïve, scared teenager is a lot to take in consider when plotting. It just so happens that the people on Vincent's side are the ones who were kind to Dani. Had the state even attempted a kind facade or feigned caring about Dani, we would assuredly be looking at an entirely different storyline. But, that is just my take on it.

The Danish gambit is relic, being that black can easily defend against it, and in some cases take the pawns for no cost. However in chess both opponents know they are playing, so in real life it may be an option. But, who are the pawns that are to be sacrificed? I'm not sure Dani is going to be in for a plan that simply throws lives away in the name vengeance. I liked this chapter and the plot development. I also like Dani's character progression.

Ciprian hid himself in hole for a couple decades. He may lust for power and domination, but clearly he can temper that with good judgement. Why would he fall of the face of the planet and let fate take over? Buying time? He's immortal. I don't think he is as bad or unreasonable as people may think. Strategic and unpredictable maybe. But probably not crazy and definitely not foolish. If any of the other Carandinis had the ambition or ability to take power, they wouldn't have waited till Vincent was almost an adult to step up. They basically sat on their thumbs and allowed the state to build and mature weapons to use against them. Even if they could guarantee Demetrius and Luciana would align with them because of loyalty from their mentors, its still left to chance that the state ends up with three equally powerful weapons. I'm not sure we have been introduced to all the players in the game. I cannot think of a single good reason for the death of Vinicius, in the timing window which it occurred, that would give an advantage to any of the players we have seen. Then we have the rebirth thing and the brutal slaying of Dani's visitor. It feels like their are moving parts that we haven't seen yet.

The trials made it pretty clear where her loyalties lie. She has a massive crush on Demetrius. The other two were already pretty friendly with Dani, and their mentors showed the upmost respect for Vinicius. If Demetrius truly sided with Dani, it wouldn't be hard to fathom the 5 specials uniting. That would be an excellent way to temper whichever side wins the immortal war. Though, if we are being honest with Dani's gift, he could essentially master the gifts all the other specials have. When you look at it, all the specials simply alter or manipulate energy. Dani is the only one who can do it without the limitations. Thats why I believe Dani is rebirth incarnate. Humans are just matter strung together by chemical and electrical energy. I'm not sure what the physiological process of becoming a vampire consists of, but I suspect it is a matter of a virus/bacteria converting the electrical and chemical impulses in the body. Dani could theoretically using his gift simply undo the conversion. Though, I also suspect Dani is not a true vampire. I suspect he is a vamp/human hybrid. (VAMPIRES DONT GET SICK).

I'm glad that Demetrius seems loyal to Dani. The first in the entire story that seems to have realized the power within Dani, and pledged his allegiance to him. So many others looking for his allegiance, instead of pledging theirs. I smiled when I saw Dani put Maratoni in his place. Hopefully a little time with Demetrius will have him developing his gifts and his confidence. Good chapter. Thank you.

This was the chapter I needed. Thank you. The only other thing I truly wish to see, for Dani's sake, is Dani awakening to the fact that the key to him controlling his own destiny, rather than being a pawn, is understanding the gift Vinicius gave him. If he cannot learn to control himself, he will always be subject to the control of others. People are scared of his potential, not his actual threat level. He needs the other players in the game to respect his ability, not just fear his capability. Before this chapter I saw Dani's future as being simply a pawn for either the state or the monarchy. Things look a little different now. As always, good read, and thank you.

The choices as presented: The state - A pawn whose life is dictated by corrupt leadership devoid of an morals. The Monarchy - A pawn ruled by the one he loves. From what we've seen Ciprian is no better than Arani. The both regard dani as child who is simply beneath them. Neither of them care for him or his well being, and it seems as either of them would off him if he were to become an inconvenience. The relationship between Dani and Vincent has not developed enough for us to know where Dani actually stands in Vincent's eyes. Does Dani come before or after Ciprian on Vincent's list of priorities? It seems like the whole driving force behind Vincent is revenge and reclamation. Arani, Ciprian, Vincent are all power hungry. Dani is power. In either of the choices we have, Dani ends up being used a tool of war. If he doesn't make a choice he ends up a casualty of war. ..... is there a third choice?

I feel like she is scared that her immortality and thus her power would be stripped away from her by forcing her to revert to human.

Dahlia was erased from history. Rebirth was erased from history. I wonder if they are linked? It seems Deadnus has a history of abusing her authority, and we see a documented history of her throwing out unfounded accusations against minors with absolutely no evidence. Even in a corrupt government, surely there is a legal way of removing her from her position. No government can exist without the consent of the governed. Those with the power to replace her - even if corrupt - surely see the optics of her antics and how that could be a problem for them. 3/5 of the specials would never work for her under any circumstance. Surely that carries some weight, even if they are seen as simply angsty teens with government property stamped on their heels? My final thoughts are of Dani. Is Dani rebirth? Or, at the very least a catalyst for the rebirth process? Vampires don't get sick. Humans get sick. Has the awakening of his powers sparked the awakening of rebirth within Dani? Very good chapter. I look forward to the next.

Very good chapter.

Very good chapter. Loved the character development and inner struggle of Dani.

My comment was not in reference to Dani's power. I wholly understand you don't give that kind of power to a child. I was speaking more about the sheltered upbringing. Dain's naivety. His lack of contacts. His lack of perspective. Teaching a child to figure out the difference between right and wrong, and to choose right is noble. But, over the story Dani's theme is that everyone is redeemable. While, that is a great character feature, it should be mentioned that some people's redemption may not be worth the cost. Especially when Dani's decisions will ultimately decide the fate of the world. I fear in the end he is susceptible to making the emotional choice, rather than the logical one, or better yet striking a balance between what his heart wants and his head knows to be right. At the end of the day, trustworthy confidants who could act as a sounding board would have served him far better than a normal life. Considering that as you said, he is the most likely to be used of all the specials. People around him that he trusts, that have no desire to use him, but are motivated by his happiness.. that is the resource he needed. For what its worth... Dani's life was far from normal. From my experience, a "normal life" contains experiences of loss, pain, anguish, and stress. Everyone has problems. Everyone. Dani was sheltered until Vicinius died. That is not "normal". I get it that Dani wouldn't walk away. I was just stating what I would do. Different strokes for different folks. This is in no way a critique of the writing. Just musings about the story.

The story quite literally could go anywhere. But, these are my takes as a reader. 1. Dani's mentor left him completely unprepared for the storm that is coming. 2. Dani is being manipulated by ever single person in his life. The state's intentions of manipulation are clear. Vincent has been deceitful of his intentions. We have yet to see full extent of his mentor's intentions, and by proxy Graham's intentions. 3. Dani is the single most powerful being to ever exist. Even if he fails to realize it yet. There is nothing stopping him from wiping out the state and the Carandini family. His only true master is his conscience. 4. While this last chapter seemed to take a bit of a dark turn, we still don't know Vincent's true intentions. Was his talk in this chapter true, was it bravado, was it a mixture? If I were in Dani's shoes, I would be pissed. I would be mad at the state for forcing me to exist solely so they could manipulate me. I would be mad at my mentor and his attorney for the cloak and dagger bullshit that left me unprepared to fight what is coming. I would be mad at Vincent and Demetrius for their deceit and doubly at Vincent for his attempts to manipulate. Honestly? I'd likely walk away. Let the players play. Let pieces fall where they may. I would begin living my own truths, and seeking my own destiny. I owe no one my loyalty, especially when all involved either want to own me, use me, or keep me in the dark. Screw that, and them. I'm just trying to exist. I'd leave the fighting to those who have a horse in the race, and become my own master. After all, who could stop me?

I wonder if the property that Dani inherited has any meaning? A secret hiding place for a mentor?