"In this matter, that which one needs to know, and that which one would scour one's mind with a wire-brush to un-know, lie far too closely together," Teja says. "He and this vampire are not anything; it would be the vsmpire's wish they should even be spoken of in the same sentence, but I assure you, they ought not."

Teja looks at him almost ruefully, as Iif the metaphorical offer of said wire brush was now in order.

"I would hope that he gives you answers; for he is a true master of dogged silence and the refusal to speak. Until then, one must infer and guess. You should indeed speak with him, if you are not wholly enemies in that way. Two things, though, I would ask of you in this."