Alec snarled behind him. “You’ll pay for that with your blood, mortal.â€?

Blake turned around and saw a rather shabby-looking priest with big teeth and bloody eyes. “I just beat an archangel to a pulp, padre, and you’re threatening me?â€?

Alec narrowed his eyes. Was the human bluffing? He sniffed the air, smelled blood and… possibly…

“I’m sorry,â€? he said. “Did that sound like a threat, my child? I only meant –“ his eyes widened.

“What?â€? Blake said menacingly, “Go on.â€?

“I think,â€? Simon observed, “that somewhere in this time zone, a cock just crowed.â€?

“Gotta go!â€? Alec said brightly. “Nice meeting you! ‘Bye!â€? He turned and ran down the street.

“So that was our vampire,â€? Blake said.

“Yep.â€?

“He seems like a shabby, sawed-off bastard. Hope he falls on a picket fence on his way home.â€?