That is a lot to take in, and he barely listens to her as she goes on about this college business. He's still working through what she's told him about those monsters. Vampires and demons and ghouls, all manner of foul creatures.

It isn't that much of a shock; there are stories of such things with each culture. But it is still a surprise. His personal sentiment had been that if such creatures existed, surely they would have had proof of that by now.

Maybe they only exist where she comes from, Porthos tells himself, pursing his lips at the thought. That would explain a lot.

"I'm not sure your monsters exist where I'm from," he tells her. "I'm certain we'd have met some by now, unless they all avoid France like the plague, and Paris in particular."

Not, he supposed, that ghosts and witches would care very much about the plague, but it's a figure of speech.