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"YOU’RE CRAZY!" I YELLED, STUMBLING backward "There’s no way I’d beco!"

Mr Crepsley shrugged "Then Steve Leopard dies," he said sied, "there must be another way"

"The issue is not open to debate," he said "If you wish to save your friend, youfurther to discuss"

"What if I"

"Do not wasteon the table "I have lived in this dirty hole for teeks, putting up with fleas and cockroaches and lice If you are not interested in my offer, say so and I will leave But do not waste my time with other options, because there are none"

I nodded slowly and took a few-steps forward "Tella vampire’s assistant," I said

He s companion," he explained "You will travel withthe day You will guard me while I sleep You will find food for me if it is scarce You will take my clothes to the laundry You will polish my shoes You will look after Madam Octa In short, you will see to my every need In return, I will teach you the ways of the vampires"

"Do I have to become a vampire?" I asked

"Eventually," he said "At first you will only have some vampire powers I will make you a half-va the day You will not need much blood to keep you satisfied You will have certain powers but not all And you will only age at a fifth the regular rate, instead of the full vampire’s tenth"

"What does that mean?" I asked, confused

"Vampires do not live forever," he explained, "but we do live far longer than huular rate Which e one As a half-vae one year for every five"

"You mean, for every five years that pass, I’ll only be one year older?" I asked

"That is right"

"I dunno," I muttered "It sounds sketchy to me"

"It is your choice," he said "I cannot force you to beco, you are free to leave"

"But Steve will die if I do that!" I cried

"Yes," he agreed "It is your assistance or his life"

"That’s not rumbled

"No," he admitted, "it is not But it is the only one I offer Do you accept?"

I thought it over I wanted to say no, run away, and never return But if I did, Steve would die Was he worth such a deal? Did I feel guilty enough to offer hed "I don’t like it, but et the chance to betray you, I will If the opportunity arises to pay you back, I’ll take it You’ll never be able to trust h," he said

"I mean it," I warned him

"I know you do," he said "That is why I want you A va quality is exactly what drew erous lad to have around, I aht, when the chips are down, I am just as sure you will be a worthy ally"