[ There's a long silence following his acquiescence, punctuated only be a couple of deep, steadying breaths. And then, finally-- ]

I'm... not human. My grandmother and my mother weren't, either-- I'm--

[ the words lock up in her throat and Mary coughs, trying to force them out. ]

I'm what the stories would call-- what people would call a... a monster. I can make people stop moving when I look at them, and I-- I'm sorry! [ Her voice cracks this time, on a thin whimper. ] You were so nice, a-and you said I was family, and I didn't tell you anything!