Now that he's between bloodbags and has no one to protect him, Joss has taken to carrying the stake with him wherever he goes. He produces it now, showing it to Jean-Claude. It's worn almost smooth over centuries of use, stained by the blood of an uncountable number of vampires. Nearly a century and a half ago, Joscelin had used it to kill his rivals, consolidating his power until he had become the leader of the Islington Nest. That was all in the past now, but the piece of wood still held a lot of sentimental value.

"I prefer other means of protection, of course, but this old thing does occasionally come in to use. I saved Coward's life with it just a fortnight ago, in fact. I am far faster and stronger than I look, you know."