A shiver went down his spine. Kieran had never been afraid of Ishmael before, but now - now, all the rules of engagement had changed. The balance of power had always been in Ishmael's favor, but the scale was never as tilted as it was now.

"Oh, you know," Kieran said. He tapped his fingertip against his glass. "Same as usual."

He took a sip. "And yourself?"

He could just, you know, make small talk with a vampire. Surely this could be -- fine.

---