"Sure," Gerard half-heartedly agreed. "Suffice it to say, you're not the type of vampire I'm used to, which means I don't have to commit any arson tonight."

He did not give that statement the dignity of elaboration.

"Explains why you thought you could handle that big bastard. I don't think it would've worked out, though," he advised, his hands finding their way to his pockets. "I've killed my fair share of monsters, and it doesn't matter how well-prepared you think you are, luring them to a dark corner with no backup is never going to work out the way you think it will."