Two vampires introduce you to their world

“The Old Man of the Mountain,” I began, “was the name given to the leader of a Muslim-ish sect called the Hashshashin.”
“What do you mean ‘Muslim-ish’?” asked Liu.
“Well the rank and file may have had religious motivation, but the leaders were definitely in it for the money and power.  So I don’t want to sully [...]

I’d never seen Al look as tense as he did when he stepped into Geo’s pit.   I thought about stopping him or asking him what was up, but before I could open my mouth he’d shut the door behind him.
Oh, well.   I headed off to one of the reading rooms.  I might as well [...]