"Charmed," the little boy replied, leading Kenzi back to his booth (and his milkshake). "You can call me Joss, if you wish. All my friends do, or would if any were still alive. Joscelin is also suitable."

He took another look at the girl. "I must say, I was quite surprised when I heard that Jean-Claude had turned someone new. Excuse me for saying it, my dear, but you're not our gracious host's usual type, if you understand my meaning." For the many, many years Joss had known Jean-Claude, he had seen him take more beautiful young men under his wing than beautiful young women.

"It's all a bit strange at first, isn't it?" He asked Kenzi, not unkindly. "I hope the hunger isn't too unmanageable? I drank my way through an entire country manor, when I was first turned."