"Through me to a certain extent. Other vampires with whom we have crossed paths reporting to them in exchange for goodwill or favors. The list goes on.

"We were in London nearly three years ago. It took them four years for them to even think about sending someone to essentially slap me on the wrist. Please do not worry yourself," Carlisle tries for comforting. It is mostly secure in its own tone as well.

This is not to say that the messenger's words did not have a certain sting to them. This was the end of a chapter; an end dictated by someone else. It grated.