He gave a cynical shrug. “He’d been known as a holy man who performed miracles of healing on their prince, but they didn’t call that magic. They called it religion.” After a pause, he continued. “Then there was a revolution—well, two, actually—and the royal family was slaughtered. The world went to hell. I escaped in the chaos and eventually relocated here. I soaked up every scrap of magical knowledge I could find and studied law. I trained to become the best fighter I could and a crack shot, and when I got enough experience, I started a careful, patient search for him.”

“You’re sure he’s still alive?”

“I’m positive.” His expression turned thoughtful. “I wasn’t his first victim, and I was far from his last. I’ve been able to build up a network of support from some of his survivors. We’ve been hunting him for a long time, and it led us here.”

“That sounds crazy,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I believe you, but things like that don’t happen here. What would you call him, a vampire witch?”

“Like I said before, I’m not into labels.” He shrugged. “But that one fits well enough.”

She waved a hand. “You get my point. Woo-woo stuff happens somewhere else. It’s astonishing that what started so long ago in another part of the world might be coming to a head here, of all places.”

“That may be precisely why it’s coming to a head here. Think of this big, beautiful city filled with humans crowded together like so many sheep. It’s not the seat of an Elder Races demesne, and it has no other major competing Power. Charleston is a bit close, but the Elven High Lord is well known for being disinterested in matters that lie beyond his Wood. And there’s a distaste for magic here that adds blinkers of denial to the public eye. You said it yourself—magical events happen elsewhere, not here in good old Atlanta. That kind of denial makes an excellent hunting ground for an old, rapacious wolf.”

She shuddered. She was beginning to feel shaky again, so she pushed to her feet. “I think I’d better do as you said and eat something.”

He unfolded from his chair. “As soon as you have, I’ll cast more healing spells, but right now I’m going to start acquiring your documents, money, and a new vehicle.”

“And a new phone,” she added quickly. “Or at least a new phone card. It’s only fair, since you destroyed my last one.”

He sighed. “And a new phone.”

She drew to a halt and looked up at him. “You’ve already done a lot, and you’re continuing to do so much more. I won’t forget this, Josiah.”