The waitress interrupted to offer them menus. Verchiel ordered two pints of blood for himself and his friend while Katelina chose roast beef and vegetables. Sorino ordered a sandwich and fries for Kai, then waited until the woman disappeared before he continued.

"As I was saying, I'm not the only one looking for it. Traven has been seeking it since it went missing. One would assume he'd have had inside information, being Jorick's brother-in-law, but after the incident with his ...