"When you are a Roma, you are family," Vlad explained calmly. "There are many instances of those who are not Roma being... adopted, for lack of a better word, into our traditions, and as family, we are all 'cousin.' You do not have to be related by blood to be a cousin."
"Which means there is a matchmaker in every family who keeps track of the bloodlines and arranges marriages," Kaz said cheerfully.
"Arranged marriage has a sour taste to Americans, but when your gene pool is as small as ours, it makes a bit more sense," Vlad shrugged. "Of course, there are plenty of non-arranged marriages, as well, but they must be approved by the matchmaker just in case." He smiled faintly. "Not that you needed to know all that. In sum... you are now our cousin. No deception necessary."
~~
Claudius tipped his head and looked at her seriously. "I want to help you get away. How can I do that?"