“A vampaneze?” Wester barked. “She consorts with them too?”

“She meets with all creatures of the night,” Seba said calmly. “Evanna makes no distinction between us. The vampaneze are as dear to her as we are. She tries to keep us apart — she will move to a new site soon, I think, where she will meet with our blood-cousins — but if a vampaneze came here we would have to treat him with respect.”

“I wouldn’t,” Wester snarled. “If I spot any of those scum, I’ll —”

“— do nothing but bid him a good night,” Seba said bluntly and there was an edge to his voice that his assistants rarely heard. “If you anger Evanna, she will crush you. Never let her charm blind you to the fact that she is Desmond Tiny’s daughter. Respect her wishes when in her presence, Wester, or no words of mine will be enough to save you.”

Wester glowered at his master. To ease the tension, Larten asked how Seba had known that Evanna would be here.

“She led me here,” Seba answered vaguely. “Those who seek Evanna simply follow their feet. I did not know this was where we would end up when we set out. Al I knew was that we would find her wherever she wanted to be found.”

“And you really hoped that one of us would seduce her?” Larten pressed.

Seba chuckled. “I doubt if anyone will ever seduce Evanna. But you made a good attempt, Larten. I did not know you were so smooth with the ladies.”

“I am usually more successful,” Larten grunted sourly. Al of his flattering words, sideways looks and tricks had fal en flat on the witch. She had been kind to him and laughed at his jokes, but never gave the least hint that she might consider him as a mate.

“Do not be too hard on yourself,” Seba said. “Many fine vampires have been rejected before you, and many will be in the future too, I am sure. As I was about to say before Wester interrupted, we believe she will choose a mate eventually, but we do not know which qualities she is looking for, or even if she is looking — maybe she is waiting for a certain time or event.