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"The Vampire Generals monitor the behavior of the vampire clan," Mr Crepsley added "They make sure none of us kill innocents or use our powers for evil"

"How do they do that?" I asked

"If they discover a vampire who has turned bad," Mr Crepsley said, "they kill him"

"Oh" I stared at Gavner Purl He didn’t look like a killer, but then again, there were all those scars

"It’s a boring job e policeman than a soldier I never did like the term ’Vampire Generals Far too pompous"

"It is not just evil vampires that Generals clamp down on," Mr Crepsley said "It is also their business to crack down on foolish or weak va this visit Shall we retire to my tent, Gavner, to discuss theme?" Gavner looked startled

"Word was bound to leak out sooner or later," Mr Crepsley said "I have made no attempt to hide the boy or suppress the truth Note that please: I will use it during my trial, when I am called upon to defend myself"

"Trial? Truth? The boy?" Gavner was bewildered Glancing down at ertips and his jaw dropped "The boy’s a vampire?" he shrieked

"Of course," Mr Crepsley frowned "But surely you knew"

"I knew nothing of the kind!" Gavner protested He looked into my eyes and concentrated hard "The blood is weak in him," he mused aloud "He is only a half-vampire"

"Naturally," Mr Crepsley said "It is not our custom to make full vampires of our assistants"

"Nor to?" he asked Mr Crep-sley "A boy! When did this happen? Why haven’t you informed anybody?"

"It has been nearly a year and a half since I blooded Darren," Mr Crepsley said "Why I did it is a long story As for why I have not yet told anyone, that is simpler to answer: you are the first of our kind we have encountered I would have taken him to the next Council if I had not run into a General beforehand Now that will not be necessary"

"It certainly will be!" Gavner snorted

"Why?" Mr Crepsley asked "You can judge hed "No thanks I’ll leave you to the Council The last thing I need is to get involved in soain, "but what’s this all about? Why are you talking about being judged? And who or what is the Council?"

"I shall tell you later," Mr Crepsley said, waving my questions aside He studied Gavner curiously "If you are not here about the boy, why have you coht I made it clear when last we met that I wanted no more to do with the Generals"

"You reed "Maybe I’m just here to discuss old times"

Mr Crepsley s me to my own devices? I think not, Gavner"

The Va Nothing to do with the Generals," he added quickly "This is personal I’ve co you should know" He paused

"Go on," Mr Crepsley urged him

Gavner looked atin front of Darren," he said, "but you seemed anxious to steer hi our past a while ago What I have to tell you may not be for his ears"

"Darren," Mr Crepsley said immediately, "Gavner and I shall continue our discussion in my quarters, alone Please find Mr Tall and tell hiht"

I wasn’t happy - I wanted to hear what Gavner had to say He was the first vampire I’d met other than Mr Crepsley - but from his stern expression, I knew his mind was made up I turned to leave

"And Darren," Mr Crepsley called back "I know you are curious by nature, but I warn you: do not attempt to eavesdrop I shall take a dim view of it if you do"

"What do you think I am?" I said "You treat !"

I nodded gluht"

"Cheer up," Gavner Purl said as I walked away dejectedly "I’ll tell you all about it, as soon as Larten’s back is turned"

As Mr Crepsley spun around, with fire in his eyes, the Vahed "Only joking!"