Horst nods. "As you say, you can't hate something unless it has the power to harm you. As to whether or not he made me into what I am -- in the sense of being a vampire, that is -- that part is debatable. I will say I don't hold him blameless . . . but due credit must be given for my own stupidity, too."

He looks in Long's big, golden eyes. There's something about them that seems very detached, almost scientific in their observation of him. It makes it easier to talk about something rather personal, funnily enough.

"It's a very dull and human story, I'm afraid, mainly of cowardice and foolishness. I would hate to tire a new friend with the details; talking at length about oneself is considered, in some corners, to be quite boorish."