The covens' basement was dark. The only light came from a feeble candle held by one of the bearded vampires. It revealed the outline of five large wooden boxes and the rough texture of an unfinished dirt floor.

"There is space enough, if you are friendly," the vampire said in his thickly accented voice.

Fethillen nodded. "It will do. Thank you." She motioned to her followers and they fell into line and laid down in rows, as if by practiced maneuver. Ume hesitated ...