Vampires society was more political than even the governments they operated secretly under. Perhaps most vampires were unable to stay sane believing themselves at all human, even in the past. So they worked to prove themselves no longer human in any way. Tao knew this, had always known it, and had worked to make sure anything that would make him appear weak, was done under cover of a quest for power. Rules he developed while he still had some feeling, some anger, in mind.
Closing his eyes as Wolfram began to undress he let his head drift back again. "No. I have never marked any one. I have seen it. Once. By the fourth mark, the human died. Taking the vampire with him." The vampire, was just barely a master, and not strong enough. He was also selfish, and had taken too much, given too little.
His face flickered worry or anger before he opened his eyes and frowned. "You are injured." He pushed to standing along side the chaise and reached for his arm. "You said you weren't going to start the challenges yet." A growl underlying his words as he went to remove the bandage.