When the gala was its height, Sadihra found Cyprus hiding in a corner. Strands of hair had fallen from her up-do, and her face was creased with annoyance. "Will you accompany me?"

He tried to look everywhere but her. "Accompany you where?"

"Away from here. And from him." She nodded to a vampire who was already coming towards them. "I've told him to get lost a dozen times already."

Cyprus' eyes narrowed and his jaw twitched. "Do you want me to kill him?"

"No, ...