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THE POSSIBILITY of refusing the challenge never enteredvampires had filled me with their values and beliefs Any vaood of the clan Of course, this wasn’t as si one’s life - I had a mission to fulfill, and if I failed, all would suffer - but the principle was the same I’d been chosen, and a vampire who’s been chosen does not say ’no’

There was a short debate, in which Paris told Mr Crepsley and me that this was not official duty and we didn’t have to agree to represent the clan - no shame would befall us if we refused to co-operate with Mr Tiny At the end of the debate, Mr Crepsley stepped forward, red cloak snapping behind his, and said, "I relish the chance to hunt down the Vampaneze Lord"

I stepped up after hi my impressive blue cloak, and said in what I hoped was a brave tone, "Me too"

"The boy kno to keep it short," Mr Tinyat Harkat

"What about the rest of us?" Mika asked "I’ve spent five years hunting for that accursed Lord I wish to accompany them"

"Aye! Me too!" a General in the crowd shouted, and soon everyone was bellowing at Mr Tiny, seeking permission to join us in the hunt

Mr Tiny shook his head "Three hunters must seek - no more, no less Non-va, they shall fail"

Angry reeted that statement

"Why should we believe you?" Mika asked "Surely ten stand a better chance than three, and twenty ers There was a sharp, snapping sound and dust fell froed cracks appear in the ceiling of the Hall of Princes Other vampires saw them too and cried out, alarmed

"Would you, who has not seen three centuries, dare to tell me, who measures time in continental drifts, about the ly He clicked his fingers again and the cracks spread Chunks of the ceiling crumbled inwards "A thousand vampaneze couldn’t chip the walls of this Hall, yet I, by clicking ers to click theize! I didn’t mean to offend you!"

Mr Tiny lowered his hand "Think of this before crossing rowled, then nodded at the Little People he’d brought with him, who headed for the doors of the Hall "They’ll patch the roof up before we leave," Mr Tiny said "But next ti you and your precious Stone of Blood to the whi dust off his heart-shaped watch, Mr Tiny beaain "I take it we’re decided - three it shall be?"

"Three," Paris agreed

"Three," Mika muttered bleakly

"As I said, non-vampires may - indeed, must - play a part, but for the next year no vampire should seek out any of the hunters, unless for reasons which have nothing to do with the search for the Vampaneze Lord Alone they must stand and alone theyto a close Disant wave of his hand, he beckoned Mr Crepsley and rinned at us as he lay back on my throne He kicked off one of his wellies while he was talking He wasn’t wearing socks, and I was shocked to see he had no toes - his feet ebbed at the ends, with six tiny claws jutting out like a cat’s

"Frightened, Master Shan?" he asked, eyes twinkling mischievously

"Yes," I said, "but I’m proud to be able to help"

"What if you aren’t any help?" he jeered "What if you fail and daed "What co the creatures of the night

Mr Tiny’s srumbled, then looked to Mr Crepsley "What about you? Scared by the weight of your responsibilities?"

"Yes," Mr Crepsley answered

"Think you ht," Mr Crepsley said evenly

Mr Tiny pulled a face "You two are no fun It’s iet a rise out of you Harkat!" he bellowed Harkat approached automatically "What do you think of this? Does the fate of the vampires bother you?"

"Yes," Harkat replied "It does"