Page 10 (1/2)

"Nicely done if I do say so ainst my shoulder "Couldn’t have done a better job That blade in the eye thing--" He produced an exaggerated shudder "Sick, Poe Truly sick"

I slide a glance sideways "Glad to a me babe Then I shoot a quick look besideI’m pretty sure that translates into Are you okay but he doesn’t say it Instead, he inclines his head "Let’s get out of here" I know Eli battles within hioodet pissed off if he naggedfed up with the overprotection Maybe he’s chilling after all

We co out of the ordinary Of course, newlings aren’t going to be traipsing around with their fangs out and pupils all red and freaky They’re hiding Waiting Watching from the shadows

And in the dark corners of Savannah, there are plenty of pickings for the newlings

Through the back streets of Garden City we run Garden City, in all its stinky sulfur-frolory, is an industrial town just outside of Savannah It’s still in Chatham County, but honestly--it ain’t purty Okay, I take that back The nature reserve just outside the city liators and low-country wildlife I haven’t been back there in a while, though No telling what you

The night air, salty with a tinge of sulfur, washes over s expand, and for a split second I feel invigorated Alive

Then that nagging weird feeling comes overon instinct now, half-ass following Eli Like a robot A va robot

Eli runs just ahead of gly Wiggly Kinda difficult to speak of so and say the words Piggly Wiggly at the same time Oxys says, and points overto see a group of kids huddled against a wall down a dead-end street"

I glance at hi, Riley?" Eli asks without looking at ht kicks ass, butmy eyes, I draw in a deep inhalation and let the particles settle against ain My eyes pop open and search the canopy of oaks lining the old street a few blocks ahead "Up there"

"How s asks

"Four," I respond I can detect each separate scent of the newlings I can even tell their sex "Threethe hulance at Eli I can iain "Less chance of one of the to the humans," I add "You know it’s the only way" I quickly check er part of the species Weird

Eli ives a short nod The thing about Eligius Dupré when searching for newlings? He’s all business until the business is done He knoe have to do and will do it, even if he hates it Like now

"Riggs, you take the ledge," Eli says, and points to the rooftop adjacent to the huddled huet the house next door," he inclines his head, "and I’ll take the rooftop behind theht the huer I nod and slip into the shadows and in three effortless leaps aainst the wall I glance over and notice Riggs is already in place I can’t see Eli but I aht is stony still Not a single breeze blowing now and the heartbeats of five hu sounds like a clan of ins to juether, confuses me I have to shut my eyes for a moment, breathe Concentrate and push the sporadic beats aside and focus on what’s in front ofis already insideup all the extra roohts, and try harder to focus again