"Ugh," Thom said, at the mention of the vampire case. "Good. It doesn't do your reputation any favors, you know, muddling about with vampires," Thom pointed out. He knew that nothing he said was going to stop August from going and doing the same thing in the future, but he felt obligated, as his friend, to point these things out every once in a while.

"You keep on with too many of these things and you'll find yourself dis-invited from all of the parties except mine," Thom teased lightly. "And you know my quota of questionable party guests has no trouble filling itself."