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Draug craved the fear of others They looked like demons, but they’d once been scared boys who’d not survived the transition to Vaht, I believed I’d have theh I was able toI had no control over

Draug were thirstiest as the sun set They’d be too thirsty not to attack me

It wasn’t yet full dark when they came

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I sed ush of blood fro rew I heard shuffles and snarls now More than one Draug--a lottowardfrom a zohts--how I ht have soriet myself killed quickly, put out ofIt was the sound of soh the mob

Would it be Carden? For an instant, I half dreaht be

But then an artificial sound cut to ent smell like ozone Like electricity

Electricity I’d heard that sound before Relief washed through h Aand drooling like I was the turkey on their Thanksgiving table

Toht Our eyes met, and he didn’t smile, not precisely But there was a tiny quirk at the corner of his mouth that said he wasn’t entirely unhappy to seeirl?"

"No trouble"--I shrugged, and the gesture sent a fresh trickle of blood down ht I’d pay you a visit"

Finally, he s teeth badly in need of a dentist He shook his head, tsking "You’re aye reddin the fire, aren’t ye?"

"Huh?"

"Stirring trouble" He tugged the rope at ainst the flash of pain Fresh blood oozed fro snarled Tom took the cattle prod from the belt at his waist and zapped it "Back," he shouted, then muttered, "Damn beasts" He metat his teeth, he studied the ropes A few of the Draug jostled him fro theot all riled, of a sudden I thought I’d take a look See what’s what Didn’t expect to see you again--though don’t knohy I should be surprised" He consideredvery perplexed "Wee trouble smile "Do you think you could cut me loose now? Please?"

"Aye, I’an to saw the rope atout this way anyhow? Girl like you? I told you to stay away fro, and they won’t bother you, one-on-one like But you’re a wee thing, too And I don’t care how brave you are; you’re nothing to a pack of thirsty Draug"

As though on cue, one peered over his shoulder It was clear he was newly transitioned, his skin less rotted, the hair on his head still full His eyes flicked to and fro, as though he h

Oh God I gasped as a night faster than his age would suggest, To under its chin He shot me a look "Keep still"

"It’s just…I have a friend," I said "He’s beco at his back

"Your friend?" He slashed the first rope free "Ah, you mean the Chinaman"

"He’s Japanese," I snapped "Japanese Aan to saw the rope atby month’s end" At hty close now They don’t usually turn so soon Musta had a hard ti toyour distance, if you knohat’s right"

"Don’t worry" I couldn’t bear to get close to Yasuo I’d hadit from Tom’s lips made it real