"It's time for you to learn the truth about yourself," Mr. Tiny said. "If you come with me, I'll reveal it and the nightmares will stop. If you don't, they'll continue and worsen, and within a year you'll be a screaming wreck."

Harkat trembled at that, but didn't rush to Mr. Tiny's side. "If I wait," he said, "will I have… another chance to learn… the truth?"

"Yes," Mr. Tiny said, "but you'll suffer much in the meantime, and I can't guarantee your safety. If you die before learning who you really are, your soul will be lost forever."

Harkat frowned uncertainly. "I have a feeling," he mumbled. "Something whispers to me—" he touched the left side of his chest "- here. I feel that I should go with Darren… and Larten."

"If you do, it will improve their chances of defeating the Vampaneze Lord," Mr. Tiny said. "Your participation isn't instrumental, but it could be important."

"Harkat," I said softly, "you don't owe us. You've already saved my life twice. Go with Mr. Tiny and learn the truth about yourself."

Harkat frowned. "I think that if I… leave you to learn the truth, the person I was… won't like what I've done." The Little Person spent a few more difficult seconds brooding about it, then squared up to Mr. Tiny. "I'll go with them. Right or wrong, I feel my place is… with the vampires. All else must wait."

"So be it," Mr. Tiny sniffed. "If you survive, our paths will cross again. If not…" His smile was withering.

"What of our search?" Mr. Crepsley asked. "You mentioned Lady Evanna. Do we start with her?"

"If you wish," Mr. Tiny said. "I can't and won't direct you, but that's where I would start. After that, follow your heart. Forget about the quest and go where you feel you belong. Fate will direct you as it pleases."

That was the end of our conversation. Mr. Tiny slipped away without a farewell, taking his Little People (they'd completed their repair work while he was talking), no doubt anxious to make that fatal volcano of his the next day.