Sonia flashes a sharp grin. "Now, that's thinking like a vampire," she says. "The gentle encouragement, the slight influence. Before long, people are offering you their blood without you even having to ask."
"I think I'm supposed to make sure that there's less blood that's splashed about the place," you point out. "That was the brief, anyway."
"Well, you can't have everything," Sonia sighs. "But tricking everyone into some sort of lasting peace would be an impressive achievement. I'm sure that Romilly and Will would approve. They might even make you honorary Head Mortal."
Max snorts, and you walk on in what you hope is a dignified silence.
"Reckon Matron'll find any answers?" you ask eventually.
Sonia shrugs. "They've never failed yet," she says. "Whatever the malady or complaint, they've managed to cook something up that solves it, which is impressive when you're dealing with multiple species. I think the only question is whether we're going to be able to stop this once we know what it is."
"No wolf backs away from a challenge," Max says stoutly. "No matter how bad it is, we'll find a way to fix it."
Sonia manages, just, to suppress a sneer. "Meanwhile, us vampires are on the realist side of the spectrum," she says. "And thinking realistically, it seems that a team of schoolchildren might be slightly outmatched."
"What about your parents?" you ask, mildly curious. "You can't get them involved?"
"Mine are abroad," Sonia replies, shaking her head. "Away on business, making connections, consuming the odd traffic warden." She shrugs. "Being a vampire gives you a lot of leisure time; you'd be amazed how many of them take business trips."
You look at Max. "What about your parents? Any chance they could lend a paw?"
Max laughs. "Some hope. I can't get Mum and Dad to show up to parents' evening, let alone to solve a world-threatening catastrophe. Anyway," he adds, "by the time we got hold of them, I imagine it would be a bit too late. I think it's up to…" His voice dies away, then he stops, holding up a hand.
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