"The vampire orphan from Europe was freed from his obligations to the council ahead of schedule and will be joining us Friday as well. And I've decided on the last two candidates to be brought over --"

"Cool!" Lillian said.

"Well, Pierre for one."

"Hmm, Pierre," Lillian cooed.

"I thought you were gay," Shamira said, amused at the schoolgirl-with-a-crush sound the necromancer had just made.

"I am, but Pierre is just . . . hmm."

"He's a submissive, but he's also a helpless romantic," Clara filled in with a smile. "He's also former French Intelligence, and he's been living in D.C. for a while. He's a good choice," she said,...