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"Humans are animals, too," he told me "If a vampire kills a human, then yes, he is evil But one who just takes a little blood to fill his ru bellywhere is the harer knehat to believe I was at his mercy, alone and defenseless

"I see you are not in the mood for a debate," he said "Very well I will save the speeches for another time So tell me, Darren Shan: what is it you want if not my spider?"

"She bit Steve Leonard," I told hi "A nasty business Still, little boys who play with things they do not understand can hardly complain if"

"I want you to

"Me?" he asked, acting surprised "But I am not a doctor I am not a specialist I am just a circus performer A freak Remember?"

"No," I said "You’re more I know you can save him I know you have the power"

"Maybe," he said "Madam Octa’s bite is deadly, but for every poison there exists an antidote Maybe I do have the cure Maybe I have a bottle of serum that will restore your friend’s natural physical functions"

"Yes!" I shouted gleefully "I knew it! I knew it! I"

"But er to silence me, "it is a small bottle Maybe there is only a tiny amount of serum Maybe it is very precious Maybe I want to save it for a real eency, in case Madam Octa ever bites me Maybe I do not want to waste it on an evil little brat"

"No," I said softly "You have to give it toYou can’t let hihed "What is your friend to ht he was here: he said he would becorew up!"

"He didn’t ry"

"Perhaps," Mr Crepsley ain, I ask: why should I save Steve Leopard? The serum was expensive and cannot be replaced"

"I can pay for it," I cried, and that hat he had been waiting for I saw it in his eyes, the way they narrowed, the way he hunched forward, s This hy he hadn’t taken Madaht This hy he hadn’t left town

"Pay for it?" he asked slyly "But you are only a boy You cannot possibly have enough money to buy the cure"

"I’ll pay in small a as you want I’ll get a job when I grow up and give you all my money I swear"

He shook his head "No," he said softly "Your money does not interest me"

"What does interest you?" I asked in a low voice "I’m sure you have a price That’s why you waited forone and your note in her place I said to oes a oes a boy who is going places?

"Quit with the bull and tell rew serious "You remember what Steve Leopard and I talked about?" he asked

"Of course," I replied "He wanted to beco, so he said he’d becoht by you, but then you found out he was evil, so you said no"

"That about sureed "Except, if you recall, I was not too keen on the idea of an assistant They can be useful but also a burden"

"Where’s all this leading?" I asked

"I have had a rethink since then," he said "I decided itafter all, especially now that I have been separated from the Cirque Du Freak and will have to fend for myself An assistant could be just what the witch doctor ordered" He smiled at his little joke

I frowned "You mean you’ll let Steve become your assistant now?"

"Heavens, no!" he yelped "Thatwhat he will do as he matures No, Darren Shan, I do not want Steve Leopard to be ain, and I knehat he was going to say seconds before he said it

"You wanthiht