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"Oh? "I frowned

"Seba has offeredit"

"I thought nobody liked becoht after," Mr Crepsley agreed, "but quarter of Vareat responsibility It can also be richly rewarding - for hundreds of years you are capable of influencing the lives of every new Vampire General"

"Why did he offer the job to you?" I asked "Why not one of his assistants?"

"His assistants are young They drea a mark of their own It would be unfair to tear one of them away from his dreams when I am at hand, ready and able to step into the position"

"You want to do this, don’t you?" I asked, reading his desire in his expression

He nodded "A decade or two ago, it would have been the furthest thing from my wishes But life has been aimless since I quit the Generals I had not realized howpart of the clan until I attended this Council This would be the ideal way for me to reestablish o for it," I encouraged him

"But what about you?" he asked "As my assistant, you would have to reh to leave by yourself Do you like the idea of spending the next thirty years of your life walled up inside this mountain?"

"Not really," I said "I’ve enjoyed row boring after a couple of years" I ran a hand over th about it "And there’s Harkat to consider Hoill he get back if we stay here?"

"I will stay with you if you decide to remain," he said

"You will?" I asked, surprised

"Part of my memory has come back Much is still blank, but I recall Mr Tiny telling me the only way I could find out who I was before I died was by sticking with you"

"How can I help you find out who you were?" I asked

Harkat shrugged "I do not know But I will stay by your side, as long as you will havecooped up inside a mountain?" I asked

Harkat smiled "Little People are easily pleased"

I lay back and considered the proposal If I stayed, I could learn more about the ways of the vampires, perhaps even train to be a Va a General appealed toa troop of vampires into battle with the vampaneze, like a pirate captain or an officer in the army

On the other hand, I’d maybe never see Evra Von or Mr Tall or ain Nofor audiences, or luxury co Chinese take-out - not for thirty-odd years at least!

"It’s a huge decision," I mused aloud "Can I have some time to think it over?"

"Of course," Mr Crepsley said "There is no rush Seba expects no answer until after Council We will discuss it in further detail when you have concluded your Trials"

" If I conclude therinned nervously

"When," Mr Crepsley insisted, and sly