"You can draw the line you know." Rainier felt the need to reassure her as they approached her door. "If their behaivor doesn't please you, and if the -- fussing becomes too much. You just have to let them know."

There was a tightness in his smile.

"They respected your wishes in the alley, and they will keep respecting them. That is simply how it works. And if you ever come across one who doesn't listen?"

He finally looked at Surreal again.

"Well, you are the strongest Blood here. Of course you can handle things."