Chapter 7

The boys' words brought my heart to a halt. If I had known that Steve had been bitten I would not agree to this bargain…when a thought came to me. Either a worthy ally or a dead future enemy…I get what I want no matter what…

"The one known as Steve Leonard…" I replied to Darren, "A nasty business, still little boys who play with things they do not understand can hardly complain if--" I began when Darren cut my sentence. He looked angry--but more desperate…

"I want you to make him better."

"I?" I asked acting surprised. "But I am no doctor! I am no a specialist…I am just a circus performer, a freak…remember?"

I watched him shake his head determinedly, he knew I could help Steve just as much as I knew that he would become a vampire. "No…you're more! I know you can save him. I know you have the power."

I stood now, I was very much taller than Darren Shan, but I had always been tall for my age. "Maybe…" I shrugged, trying to hide my smile. "Madam Octa's bite is deadly, but for every poison there exists an antidote…maybe I do have the cure…Maybe I have a bottle of serum which will restore your friend's bodily functions…"

I watched Darren smile, "YES!" he said gleefully, almost jumping in the air. "I knew it! I knew it--"

"But maybe--" I cut in, I raised a finger and his smile faded "It is just a small bottle. Maybe I want to save it for an emergency, in case Madam Octa ever bites me! Maybe I do not want to waste it on the evil little brat!"

He looked distraught at that moment, "No!" he said desperately, "You have to give it to me! You have to use it on Steve! He's dying! You can't let him die!"

I snorted, "I most certainly can!" I said and then laughed, then turned very serious. "What is your friend to me? You heard him the night he was here! He said he would become a vampire hunter when he grew up…!"

Darren tried to cover up for his actions. I knew there was nothing that could change my mind…when he said something I was waiting for…

"I can pay for it!" he shouted, my eyes narrowed and I grinned, the look on his face also changed--another realization crossing his mind as I hunched forward so I was closer.

"Pay for it?" I asked slyly. "But you are only a boy…you cannot possibly have enough money to buy the cure…"
"I'll pay in bits!" he promised me, "Every week for fifty years or as long as you want me too! I'll get a job when I'm older and pay for the money I swear!" he vowed but I shook my head.

"No" I announced sternly but softly, "your money does not interest me…"

"What does interest you…" he asked "I'm sure you have a price…that is why you waited for me isn't it?" he added and I smiled slightly, if this does not answer his question I was not sure what would…

"You are a clever young man" I said smiling, rubbing at the scar on my face with a wistful sort of tone. "I knew that when I woke to find my spider gone and a note in his place I said to myself. "Larten there goes a remarkable child a true prodigy! There goes a boy who is going places!"

Darren's tone grew cold. "QUIT WITH THE BULL WHAT DO YOU WANT!"

I laughed quite nastily at him and then turned serious again, "You remember what Steve Leonard and I talked about?"

Darren nodded, "He wanted to become a vampire--you said he was too young so he said he'd become your assistant and that was alright by you …but then you found out he was evil, so you said no"

I nodded, "That about sums it up." I replied, "Except if you recall also I was not too keen on an assistant either…they can be useful but also a burden…"

Darren looked up at me, "Where is all this leading?"

I closed my eyes took a deep breathe--considering what I was about to do and began to speak. "I have had a rethink since then. I decided that it might not be such a bad thing after all, especially now I have been separated from Cirque du Freak and will have to fend for myself. An assistant could just be what the witch doctor ordered!" I stated

Darren frowned at me. "You'll mean you'll let Steve become your assistant now?" he asked and I almost cried with laughter--he might not have been as clever I had guessed.

"Heavens no!" I said "That monster? There is no telling what he'll do as he matures! No Darren Shan, I do not want Steve Leonard as my assistant…" I then pointed at him…and then his eyes widened with shock.

"You want me!" he stated, beating me to the punch and with a dark and sinister smile on my face I sincerely nodded in return.