The vampires around the light jumped up, hands on their weapons. Jorick readied to fight. Jamie reached for a sword that wasn't there. Katelina grabbed a folded chair that leaned against the wall, ready to smash it into someone's head.

Sorino spoke up, "You'd only be saving Malick time."

The boy signaled the others to wait and stepped forward. His chin rose a notch and he swept back his robes. Around his neck hung a large gold amulet imprinted with a dragon like symbol. ...