Little in the human world to really challenge a vampire

Larten grew wistful as he thought about the legendary home of the clan.
Seba hadn’t told him much about the mountain, but Larten had heard
enough to fire his dreams. In his imagination it was a majestic place full of
noble vampires. Great deeds were recounted there, lavish feasts were laid
on for the Princes and Generals, and vampires had the opportunity to test
themselves against their fellow night stalkers. There was little in the human
world to really challenge a vampire, but in the caverns and tunnels of
Vampire Mountain, you could truly find out what you were made of.

***

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Birth of a Killer, Chapter 8