Foster|NNP A.|NN Ranney|NNP Nathan|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ Bylichka|NNP 
Dedicated|NNP to|TO Neil|NNP Gaiman|NNP ,|, Radiohead|NNP and|CC Black|NNP Sabbath|NNP 
Strange|JJ things|NNS have|VBP always|RB happened|VBN to|TO my|PRP$ family|NN .|. 
It|PRP came|VBD in|IN through|IN my|PRP$ mother|NN 's|POS blood|NN ;|: my|PRP$ Russian|JJ grandmother|NN would|MD always|RB tell|VB me|PRP stories|NNS ,|, bylichkas|NNS ,|, of|IN ancestors|NNS with|IN the|DT "|'' second|JJ sight|NN "|'' ,|, stupid|JJ mill|NN owners|NNS who|WP discovered|VBD bags|NNS of|IN gold|NN after|IN letting|VBG a|DT special|JJ fish|NN off|RP their|PRP$ hooks|VBZ ,|, and|CC dark|JJ strangers|NNS who|WP used|VBD to|TO appear|VB to|TO help|VB or|CC interfere|VB at|IN crucial|JJ times|NNS .|. 
When|WRB I|PRP asked|VBD her|PRP if|IN she|PRP 'd|MD ever|RB seen|VBN them|PRP –|NN before|IN I|PRP was|VBD old|JJ enough|RB to|TO stop|VB believing|VBG ,|, I|PRP mean|VBP –|NN she|PRP would|MD always|RB look|VB sad|JJ and|CC tell|VB me|PRP ,|, "|'' No|DT ,|, not|RB since|IN the|DT family|NN came|VBD to|TO America|NNP has|VBZ anything|NN happened|VBN to|TO us|PRP .|. 
But|CC if|IN you|PRP ever|RB should|MD see|VB a|DT faerie|NN ,|, tell|VB him|PRP that|IN you|PRP are|VBP of|IN the|DT blood|NN of|IN Ivan|NNP Bogatyrivitch|NNP and|CC he|PRP will|MD not|RB pass|VB you|PRP by|IN so|RB quickly|RB .|. "|'' 
As|IN I|PRP got|VBD older|JJR ,|, I|PRP shook|VBD the|DT tales|NNS off|RP with|IN a|DT nod|NN and|CC a|DT "|'' Yes|UH ,|, Nana|NNP .|. "|'' 

I|PRP got|VBD older|JJR and|CC went|VBD to|TO school|VB ,|, then|RB to|TO college|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP replaced|VBD the|DT dreams|VBZ my|PRP$ Nana|NNP gave|VBD me|PRP with|IN the|DT music|NN DJs|NNP mixed|JJ for|IN crowds|NNS in|IN clubs|NNS ,|, webs|NNS of|IN pulse|NN that|WDT shook|VBD us|PRP until|IN we|PRP could|MD believe|VB anything|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ girlfriend|NN Rachel|NNP and|CC I|PRP would|MD go|VB to|TO the|DT clubs|NNS near|IN our|PRP$ school|NN .|. 
Sometimes|RB we|PRP 'd|MD get|VB word|NN that|IN people|NNS were|VBD gathering|VBG under|IN one|CD of|IN the|DT bridges|NNS ,|, and|CC we|PRP 'd|MD rush|VB down|IN to|TO hit|VB it|PRP before|IN the|DT cops|NNS broke|VBD it|PRP up|RP .|. 
Boston|NNP is|VBZ a|DT strange|JJ place|NN at|IN night|NN .|. 
You|PRP would|MD n't|RB believe|VB half|NN of|IN the|DT shit|NN I|PRP 've|VBP seen|VBN ,|, even|RB when|WRB I|PRP was|VBD straight|JJ .|. 

It|PRP was|VBD a|DT Friday|NNP night|NN .|. 
Rachel|NNP and|CC I|PRP went|VBD out|IN to|TO dinner|NN ,|, and|CC when|WRB we|PRP finished|VBD ,|, she|PRP saw|VBD that|IN there|EX was|VBD a|DT message|NN on|IN her|PRP$ cell|NN phone|NN .|. 
She|PRP checked|VBD it|PRP there|RB in|IN the|DT restaurant|NN .|. 
Her|PRP$ head|NN tilted|JJ into|IN the|DT phone|NN as|IN she|PRP listened|VBD ,|, her|PRP$ pleather|NN purse|NN on|IN her|PRP$ lap|NN ,|, shining|VBG jet|NN against|IN the|DT worn|JJ black|NN of|IN her|PRP$ snug|NN Dead|NNP Can|MD Dance|NNP T-|NNP shirt|NN .|. 
“|NN It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ from|IN Mitch|NNP ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, folding|VBG up|RP the|DT phone|NN .|. 
“|NN He|PRP says|VBZ we|PRP should|MD meet|VB him|PRP tonight|NN ,|, there|EX ’|NN s|VBZ a|DT good|JJ one|CD going|VBG on|IN in|IN that|DT church|NN that|WDT closed|VBD down|IN last|JJ month|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN know|VB …|NN it|PRP was|VBD going|VBG to|TO be|VB just|RB us|PRP tonight|NN .|. 
I|PRP ’|NN m|NN not|RB sure|JJ I|PRP ’|NN m|NN up|RP for|IN a|DT night|NN out|RP .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP was|VBD feeling|VBG calm|NN and|CC private|JJ that|DT night|NN .|. 
It|PRP seemed|VBD like|IN tonight|NN ’|NN s|VBZ darkness|NNS was|VBD small|JJ and|CC personal|JJ ,|, cupped|JJ hands|NNS offering|VBG a|DT place|NN for|IN two|CD ,|, not|RB the|DT burning|NN ,|, open|JJ darkness|NNS of|IN a|DT rave|VB .|. 

“|NN Baby|NNP ,|, let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ go|VB .|. 
It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ been|VBN over|IN a|DT week|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP want|VBP to|TO dance|VB .|. 
Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ go|VB together|RB ,|, you|PRP know|VBP you|PRP ’|NN ll|NN have|VBP fun|NN once|RB you|PRP get|VBP into|IN it|PRP .|. ”|NN 
She|PRP bit|NN the|DT inside|JJ of|IN her|PRP$ bottom|JJ lip|NN ,|, looking|VBG at|IN me|PRP like|VBP I|PRP was|VBD breaking|VBG her|PRP$ poor|JJ ,|, sweet|JJ heart|NN .|. 
I|PRP ’|NN m|NN a|DT sucker|NN for|IN that|DT ,|, and|CC she|PRP knows|VBZ it|PRP .|. 

“|NN Okay|UH ,|, Rachel|NNP .|. 
Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ go|VB ,|, you|PRP ’|NN re|NN probably|RB right|JJ .|. ”|NN 

She|PRP grinned|JJ and|CC gave|VBD me|PRP a|DT kiss|NNS across|IN the|DT table|NN ,|, her|PRP$ lips|NNS soft|JJ and|CC firm|NN and|CC sticking|VBG just|RB enough|RB that|IN she|PRP gave|VBD the|DT feeling|NN you|PRP were|VBD really|RB kissing|VBG ,|, not|RB just|RB pressing|VBG your|PRP$ face|NN into|IN someone|NN else|RB ’|NN s|VBZ .|. 

“|NN Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ not|RB get|VB fucked|JJ up|RB tonight|NN ,|, though|RB ,|, okay|JJ ,|, Rache|NNP ?|. 
We|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN –|NN ”|NN 

“|NN Sure|RB ,|, babe|NN .|. 
Come|VBN on|IN ,|, I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN have|VBP to|TO get|VB fucked|JJ up|RP every|DT time|NN we|PRP go|VBP out|IN just|RB to|TO enjoy|VB myself|PRP .|. 
Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ not|RB waste|VB any|DT more|JJR time|NN .|. ”|NN 
She|PRP stood|VBD up|RB and|CC I|PRP followed|VBD her|PRP out|IN to|TO the|DT street|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD dark|JJ enough|RB that|IN I|PRP could|MD actually|RB see|VB a|DT few|JJ stars|NNS through|IN the|DT screen|NN of|IN city|NN light|JJ .|. 
Without|IN hearing|VBG the|DT car|NN horns|NNS ,|, I|PRP could|MD almost|RB taste|VB the|DT air|NN of|IN late|JJ March|NNP through|IN the|DT street|NN fumes|NNS .|. 
If|IN it|PRP was|VBD March|NNP ,|, that|WDT meant|VBD that|IN we|PRP ’|NN d|SYM been|VBN together|RB almost|RB a|DT year|NN and|CC a|DT half|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD last|JJ February|NNP ,|, after|IN the|DT winter|NN break|NN ,|, that|IN we|PRP moved|VBD in|IN together|RB .|. 
Now|RB spring|NN was|VBD back|RB ,|, under|IN the|DT concrete|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP could|MD smell|NN it|PRP even|RB here|RB .|. 

“|NN Isn|NNP ’|NN t|NN it|PRP an|DT amazing|JJ night|NN ,|, Rache|NNP ?|. 
Even|RB the|DT city|NN feels|VBZ alive|JJ when|WRB spring|NN comes|VBZ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Taxi|NN !|. ”|NN 
She|PRP waved|VBD down|RP a|DT car|NN and|CC pulled|VBD me|PRP in|IN .|. 
In|IN a|DT few|JJ minutes|NNS ,|, we|PRP were|VBD getting|VBG out|RP a|DT block|NN down|RB from|IN the|DT abandoned|VBN church|NN .|. 
After|IN she|PRP paid|VBD the|DT driver|NN ,|, she|PRP grabbed|VBD my|PRP$ arm|NN ,|, laughing|VBG ,|, and|CC we|PRP ran|VBD down|RP the|DT street|NN .|. 
I|PRP heard|VBD the|DT pulse|NN already|RB .|. 
We|PRP slammed|VBD against|IN the|DT doorway|NN and|CC I|PRP was|VBD laughing|VBG too|RB ,|, the|DT pulse|NN close|NN enough|RB to|TO shake|VB the|DT doorframe|NN and|CC set|VBN up|IN vibrations|NNS in|IN my|PRP$ chest|NN ,|, Rachel|NNP in|IN my|PRP$ arms|NNS because|IN she|PRP ’|NN d|SYM used|VBN me|PRP to|TO soften|VB her|PRP$ landing|NN .|. 
We|PRP kissed|JJ and|CC slipped|VBD inside|IN .|. 

The|DT old|JJ vaulted|JJ church|NN was|VBD stripped|VBN down|RB :|: there|EX was|VBD no|DT cloth|NN on|IN the|DT altar|NN ,|, just|RB a|DT DJ|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ toolkit|NN and|CC his|PRP$ beer|NN .|. 
Through|IN the|DT dark|NN ,|, I|PRP could|MD see|VB three|CD bolts|NNS left|VBN in|IN the|DT wall|NN from|IN where|WRB they|PRP ’|NN d|SYM taken|VBN down|RP the|DT crucifix|NN .|. 
A|DT confessional|NN too|RB beaten-up|JJ to|TO have|VB been|VBN sold|VBN was|VBD shaking|VBG in|IN a|DT way|NN that|WDT suggested|JJ activity|NN inside|IN ,|, and|CC where|WRB the|DT pews|NNS had|VBD been|VBN taken|VBN out|IN ,|, a|DT couple|NN hundred|CD people|NNS were|VBD testifying|VBG to|TO the|DT DJ|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ moving|VBG sermon|NN .|. 

Rachel|NNP stepped|VBD forward|RB into|IN the|DT crowd|NN while|IN I|PRP took|VBD a|DT moment|NN to|TO drink|VB in|IN the|DT ceiling|NN ’|NN s|VBZ blue-lit|JJ ,|, shadowed|JJ vault|NN and|CC the|DT light-catching|JJ haze|NN from|IN who-knows-what|JJ rising|NN between|IN the|DT DJ|NNP and|CC the|DT crowd|NN .|. 
There|EX was|VBD a|DT terrific|JJ echo|NN ,|, each|DT beat|NN reverberating|VBG inside|IN of|IN the|DT next|JJ ,|, and|CC the|DT old|JJ stained-glass|NN windows|NNS rattled|VBN in|IN their|PRP$ frames|NNS .|. 
On|IN the|DT dance|NN floor|NN ,|, people|NNS moved|VBD with|IN their|PRP$ eyes|NNS closed|VBD and|CC their|PRP$ hands|NNS in|IN the|DT air|NN .|. 

I|PRP danced|JJ with|IN Rachel|NNP for|IN a|DT while|NN ,|, but|CC then|RB something|NN by|IN the|DT bar|NN seemed|VBD to|TO be|VB pulling|VBG her|PRP$ eyes|NNS .|. 
She|PRP told|VBD me|PRP that|IN she|PRP was|VBD heading|VBG for|IN a|DT drink|NN and|CC slipped|VBD out|IN of|IN the|DT crowd|NN .|. 

When|WRB she|PRP hadn|NN ’|NN t|NN come|VB back|RB halfway|RB through|IN the|DT next|JJ song|NN ,|, I|PRP glanced|VBD over|IN at|IN the|DT bar|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD just|RB a|DT little|RB set-up|JJ where|WRB someone|NN had|VBD stacked|VBN a|DT few|JJ crates|NNS and|CC brought|VBN something|NN alcoholic|JJ to|TO share|VB ,|, mostly|RB beer|NN .|. 
Rachel|NNP was|VBD standing|VBG with|IN a|DT plastic|NN cup|NN ,|, looking|VBG like|IN she|PRP was|VBD having|VBG a|DT conversation|NN ,|, but|CC I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN see|VB anyone|NN else|RB there|RB .|. 
The|DT next|JJ time|NN the|DT crowd|NN split|NN ,|, I|PRP saw|VBD him|PRP .|. 
He|PRP stood|VBD in|IN front|NN of|IN a|DT blue|JJ light|NN ,|, so|IN I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN see|VB him|PRP clearly|RB ,|, but|CC what|WP I|PRP saw|VBD was|VBD memorable|JJ .|. 
He|PRP wore|VBD a|DT jacket|NN of|IN what|WP might|MD have|VB been|VBN blue|JJ velvet|NN ,|, and|CC his|PRP$ hair|NN gleamed|JJ black|NN against|IN his|PRP$ white|JJ skin|NN .|. 
The|DT blue|JJ haze|NN seemed|VBD to|TO stop|VB just|RB shy|JJ of|IN his|PRP$ pallor|NN ,|, setting|VBG off|IN his|PRP$ striking|JJ face|NN without|IN illuminating|JJ its|PRP$ details|NNS ,|, and|CC his|PRP$ wrists|NNS flashed|VBD white|JJ in|IN the|DT darkness|NNS .|. 
He|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN move|NN ,|, just|RB stared|VBD and|CC held|VBD his|PRP$ drink|NN .|. 

The|DT next|JJ time|NN I|PRP saw|VBD them|PRP ,|, his|PRP$ mouth|NN was|VBD moving|VBG .|. 
She|PRP nodded|JJ and|CC he|PRP took|VBD her|PRP$ arm|NN .|. 
I|PRP watched|VBD them|PRP through|IN the|DT crush|NN of|IN dancers|NNS as|IN they|PRP squeezed|VBD along|IN the|DT wall|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT feeling|NN came|VBD to|TO me|PRP that|DT something|NN was|VBD very|RB wrong|JJ .|. 

Saturday|NNP morning|NN ,|, I|PRP woke|VBD up|RB and|CC saw|VBD that|IN she|PRP still|RB hadn|NN ’|NN t|NN come|VB home|NN .|. 
I|PRP called|VBD Mitch|NNP and|CC our|PRP$ other|JJ friends|NNS ,|, hoping|VBG that|IN she|PRP ’|NN d|SYM crashed|VBD at|IN one|CD of|IN their|PRP$ houses|NNS ,|, but|CC I|PRP had|VBD no|DT luck|NN .|. 
A|DT couple|NN of|IN them|PRP remembered|VBD seeing|VBG her|PRP$ leave|NN ,|, but|CC none|NN of|IN them|PRP had|VBD seen|VBN the|DT thin|JJ man|NN with|IN her|PRP .|. 
I|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN know|VB how|WRB they|PRP could|MD miss|VB such|JJ exotic|JJ features|NNS ,|, even|RB in|IN that|DT distorting|VBG light|JJ .|. 

I|PRP caught|VBD a|DT taxi|NN back|RB to|TO the|DT church|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD still|RB a|DT mess|NN ,|, but|CC everything|NN bigger|JJR than|IN a|DT soda|NN can|MD had|VBD disappeared|VBN .|. 
I|PRP walked|VBD across|IN what|WP had|VBD been|VBN the|DT dance|NN floor|NN .|. 
The|DT church|NN was|VBD completely|RB different|JJ now|RB :|: sunlight|NN fell|VBD through|IN the|DT stained|JJ glass|NN ,|, catching|VBG dust|NN that|IN still|RB hung|VBD in|IN the|DT air|NN and|CC sending|VBG a|DT dry|JJ ,|, healthy|JJ warmth|NN into|IN the|DT edges|NNS of|IN the|DT room|NN ,|, through|IN the|DT stone|NN and|CC the|DT powdery|NN concrete|JJ that|WDT had|VBD been|VBN covered|VBN last|JJ night|NN by|IN flesh|NN and|CC flashing|VBG lights|NNS .|. 
I|PRP realized|VBD that|IN Rachel|NNP had|VBD disappeared|VBN without|IN leaving|VBG a|DT clue|NN and|CC I|PRP had|VBD no|DT way|NN to|TO do|VB anything|NN but|CC wait|VB for|IN her|PRP to|TO show|VB up|RP –|NN which|WDT ,|, if|IN she|PRP were|VBD in|IN a|DT situation|NN where|WRB I|PRP should|MD be|VB doing|VBG something|NN ,|, would|MD probably|RB be|VB never|RB .|. 

Standing|VBG in|IN the|DT center|NN of|IN the|DT church|NN ,|, I|PRP took|VBD out|RP my|PRP$ cell|NN phone|NN and|CC called|VBD the|DT police|NN .|. 
“|NN I|PRP need|VBP to|TO file|VB a|DT missing|VBG persons|NNS report|VBP .|. …|NN Rachel|NNP Frieze|NNP .|. 
Last|JJ night|NN ,|, walking|VBG on|IN West|NNP 2nd|CD street|NN around|IN –|NN maybe|RB eleven|CD or|CC twelve|CD o|NN ’|NN clock|NN .|. 
What|WP ?|. 
…|NN But|CC ,|, sir|NN ,|, this|DT is|VBZ an|DT unusual|JJ situation|NN .|. 
She|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN come|VB home|NN last|JJ night|NN ,|, none|NN of|IN her|PRP$ friends|NNS have|VBP seen|VBN her|PRP .|. 
…|NN Sir|NNP ,|, if|IN she|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ in|IN any|DT danger|NN ,|, it|PRP will|MD probably|RB be|VB too|RB late|JJ to|TO help|VB her|PRP by|IN that|DT time|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ girlfriend|NN has|VBZ disappeared|VBN ,|, I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN even|RB know|VB where|WRB to|TO start|VB looking|VBG ,|, and|CC I|PRP need|VBP help|VB !|. 
…|NN Yes|UH ,|, sir|NN .|. 
I|PRP understand|VBP .|. ”|NN 
The|DT police|NN wouldn|NN ’|NN t|NN file|VBP a|DT report|NN for|IN someone|NN who|WP ’|NN d|SYM been|VBN missing|VBG overnight|JJ .|. 
I|PRP closed|VBD the|DT phone|NN .|. 

Walking|VBG out|IN of|IN the|DT church|NN ,|, a|DT little|JJ gust|NN of|IN cold|JJ air|NN caught|VBD me|PRP by|IN surprise|NN .|. 
A|DT cold|JJ front|NN must|MD have|VB hit|VB while|IN I|PRP was|VBD inside|IN .|. 
Glancing|NNP down|RP the|DT street|NN ,|, I|PRP realized|VBD that|IN I|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN have|VBP a|DT friend|NN to|TO drive|VB me|PRP home|NN this|DT time|NN ,|, and|CC it|PRP was|VBD a|DT long|JJ walk|NN back|RB to|TO the|DT streets|NNS where|WRB taxis|NNS ran|VBD .|. 
I|PRP pulled|VBD my|PRP$ T-|NNP shirt|NN ’|NN s|VBZ sleeves|NNS down|RP my|PRP$ arms|NNS as|RB far|RB as|IN they|PRP ’|NN d|SYM go|VB ,|, but|CC I|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN ready|JJ for|IN cold|NN .|. 

Walking|VBG didn|NN ’|NN t|NN build|VB up|RB much|JJ heat|NN ;|: it|PRP just|RB moved|VBD the|DT air|NN enough|RB to|TO chill|VB me|PRP more|JJR .|. 
After|IN I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM walked|VBD about|IN a|DT block|NN ,|, a|DT car|NN rolled|VBN up|RP behind|IN me|PRP .|. 
It|PRP slowed|VBD down|RB as|IN it|PRP neared|VBD me|PRP and|CC I|PRP started|VBD to|TO worry|VB .|. 
This|DT wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN the|DT best|JJS of|IN neighborhoods|NNS .|. 
I|PRP kept|VBD my|PRP$ eyes|NNS straight|JJ ahead|RB and|CC tried|VBD to|TO walk|VB more|RBR quickly|RB without|IN showing|VBG it|PRP .|. 

I|PRP heard|VBD an|DT automatic|JJ window|NN roll|NN down|RB .|. 
“|NN Hey|NNP ,|, ”|NN said|VBD a|DT male|JJ voice|NN ,|, “|NN do|VBP you|PRP need|VBP some|DT help|NN ?|. ”|NN 

I|PRP turned|VBD around|IN .|. 
The|DT man|NN looked|VBD over|IN forty|NN ,|, and|CC he|PRP was|VBD driving|VBG a|DT car|NN I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM be|VB afraid|JJ to|TO drive|VB on|IN this|DT street|NN .|. 
“|NN It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ a|DT long|JJ way|NN to|TO anywhere|RB worth|JJ going|NN ,|, ”|NN 
he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN Would|MD you|PRP like|VBP some|DT help|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Ah|UH ,|, I|PRP think|VBP I|PRP ’|NN m|NN fine|NN ,|, thanks|NNS ,|, ”|NN I|PRP told|VBD him|PRP ,|, and|CC turned|VBD back|RB to|TO the|DT sidewalk|NN .|. 

“|NN Really|RB ,|, I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM like|IN to|TO help|VB .|. 
Please|VB ,|, hop|NN in|IN .|. 
You|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN look|NN dressed|VBN for|IN this|DT weather|NN .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP glanced|VBD back|RB over|IN my|PRP$ shoulder|NN .|. 
“|NN No|DT thanks|NNS ,|, sir|NN !|. 
I|PRP ’|NN m|NN just|RB fine|NN .|. 
Really|RB ,|, don|VB ’|NN t|NN worry|VBP about|IN me|PRP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Nathan|NNP Spencer|NNP ,|, I|PRP offer|VBP you|PRP help|VBP .|. 
I|PRP advise|VBP that|IN you|PRP not|RB refuse|VBP me|PRP a|DT third|JJ time|NN .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP stopped|VBD and|CC looked|VBD back|RB at|IN him|PRP ,|, surprised|VBN .|. 
He|PRP met|VBD my|PRP$ eyes|NNS coolly|RB .|. 
“|NN How|WRB do|VBP you|PRP know|VBP my|PRP$ name|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP know|VBP your|PRP$ family|NN .|. 
Get|VB in|IN .|. 
We|PRP have|VBP a|DT lot|NN of|IN work|NN ahead|RB of|IN us|PRP ,|, and|CC it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ best|JJS to|TO start|VB now|RB .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP walked|VBD around|IN the|DT car|NN and|CC got|VBD into|IN the|DT passenger|NN seat|NN .|. 
Before|IN I|PRP had|VBD my|PRP$ belt|NN on|IN ,|, we|PRP were|VBD rolling|VBG forward|RB .|. 
“|NN Okay|UH ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN I|PRP ’|NN m|NN in|IN the|DT car|NN .|. 
Now|RB ,|, will|MD you|PRP tell|VB me|PRP how|WRB you|PRP know|VBP my|PRP$ family|NN ,|, and|CC how|WRB you|PRP happened|VBD to|TO be|VB driving|VBG by|IN just|RB now|RB ?|. 
In|IN fact|NN ,|, why|WRB didn|NN ’|NN t|NN you|PRP call|VBP me|PRP by|IN name|NN the|DT first|JJ time|NN ?|. 
And|CC how|WRB did|VBD you|PRP recognize|VBP me|PRP when|WRB –|NN ”|NN 

“|NN That|DT ’|NN s|VBZ enough|RB !|. 
I|PRP can|MD only|RB answer|VB one|CD question|NN at|IN a|DT time|NN .|. 
I|PRP know|VBP your|PRP$ family|NN because|IN an|DT ancestor|NN of|IN mine|NN made|VBD a|DT bargain|NN with|IN an|DT ancestor|NN of|IN yours|NNS .|. 
I|PRP am|VBP here|RB now|RB because|IN you|PRP called|VBD for|IN help|NN ,|, and|CC no-one|JJ else|RB would|MD answer|VB .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP turned|VBD onto|IN the|DT next|JJ street|NN and|CC shifted|VBN up|RP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP will|MD help|VB you|PRP find|VB your|PRP$ Rachel|NNP .|. 
I|PRP have|VBP to|TO warn|VB you|PRP ,|, though|RB ,|, you|PRP won|VBD ’|NN t|NN like|IN what|WP I|PRP have|VBP to|TO tell|VB you|PRP .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP shivered|JJ .|. 
Something|NN in|IN his|PRP$ tone|NN couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN be|VB disbelieved|JJ .|. 
“|NN Tell|VB me|PRP anyway|RB .|. 
If|IN she|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ in|IN trouble|NN ,|, I|PRP want|VBP to|TO find|VB her|PRP$ ,|, wherever|WRB she|PRP is|VBZ .|. ”|NN 

My|PRP$ driver|NN took|VBD a|DT deep|JJ breath|NN .|. 
As|IN he|PRP did|VBD ,|, his|PRP$ neck|NN stretched|VBN in|IN a|DT strange|JJ way|NN and|CC I|PRP noticed|VBD several|JJ thin|JJ lines|NNS ,|, like|IN wrinkles|NNS ,|, running|VBG across|IN the|DT sides|NNS of|IN his|PRP$ neck|NN .|. 
“|NN Nathan|NNP ,|, ”|NN he|PRP began|VBD in|IN the|DT way|NN that|IN people|NNS speak|VBP when|WRB they|PRP start|VBP a|DT long|JJ and|CC difficult|JJ explanation|NN ,|, 
“|NN Rachel|NNP met|VBD someone|NN last|JJ night|NN whom|WP it|PRP is|VBZ best|JJS never|RB to|TO meet|VB .|. 
This|DT person|NN ,|, like|IN me|PRP ,|, is|VBZ not|RB a|DT member|NN of|IN traditional|JJ society|NN .|. 
You|PRP see|VBP ,|, Nathan|NNP ,|, there|EX is|VBZ …|NN separate|JJ from|IN your|PRP$ society|NN …|NN oh|UH ,|, damn|RB it|PRP .|. 
I|PRP ’|NN ve|NN never|RB had|VBD to|TO give|VB this|DT conversation|NN before|RB .|. 
Come|VBN on|IN ,|, I|PRP have|VBP something|NN to|TO show|VB you|PRP .|. ”|NN 
With|IN that|DT ,|, he|PRP made|VBD a|DT sharp|JJ turn|NN onto|IN a|DT side|NN street|NN that|IN I|PRP hadn|NN ’|NN t|NN noticed|VBD before|RB .|. 
We|PRP drove|VBD between|IN slummy|NN housing|NN and|CC storefronts|NNS so|RB decayed|JJ that|IN I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN tell|VB whether|IN they|PRP were|VBD abandoned|VBN .|. 
My|PRP$ driver|NN turned|VBD again|RB next|JJ to|TO an|DT old|JJ warehouse|NN that|IN I|PRP might|MD have|VB been|VBN in|IN once|RB when|WRB Mitch|NNP took|VBD us|PRP to|TO a|DT rave|VB in|IN sophomore|NN year|NN .|. 

In|IN front|NN of|IN a|DT few|JJ houses|NNS ,|, there|EX were|VBD cars|NNS parked|VBN ,|, but|CC there|EX were|VBD almost|RB none|NN on|IN the|DT streets|NNS .|. 
Their|PRP$ bumpers|NNS looked|VBD ready|JJ to|TO drop|VB off|RP ,|, and|CC their|PRP$ paint|NN was|VBD half|JJ smog|NN .|. 
I|PRP got|VBD a|DT strange|JJ feeling|NN that|IN we|PRP weren|NN ’|NN t|NN supposed|VBN to|TO be|VB driving|VBG here|RB .|. 
“|NN Hey|NNP ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN are|VBP you|PRP sure|JJ that|IN we|PRP should|MD be|VB going|VBG this|DT way|NN ?|. 
I|PRP mean|VBP –|NN ”|NN 

“|NN Just|RB ignore|VB that|RB ,|, ”|NN he|PRP told|VBD me|PRP .|. 
“|NN You|PRP ’|NN ll|NN be|VB used|VBN to|TO the|DT sensation|NN in|IN a|DT moment|NN .|. ”|NN 
That|DT just|RB unnerved|VBD me|PRP more|JJR .|. 
As|IN we|PRP kept|VBD driving|VBG ,|, the|DT anxiety|NN grew|VBD more|RBR pronounced|JJ .|. 
I|PRP noticed|VBD that|IN there|EX were|VBD some|DT people|NNS on|IN the|DT street|NN ,|, people|NNS the|DT same|JJ color|NN as|IN the|DT soiled|VBD buildings|NNS .|. 
Someone|NN standing|NN just|RB in|IN the|DT lip|NN of|IN an|DT alley|NN glared|JJ at|IN me|PRP with|IN gleaming|VBG eyes|NNS .|. 
“|NN Okay|UH ,|, this|DT is|VBZ the|DT spot|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD my|PRP$ driver|NN ,|, pulling|VBG over|IN .|. 
He|PRP parked|VBD and|CC got|VBN out|RP .|. 

“|NN Is|VBZ it|PRP really|RB safe|JJ to|TO leave|VB the|DT car|NN …|NN ”|NN 
he|PRP was|VBD already|RB walking|VBG toward|IN the|DT squat|JJ ,|, brick-windowed|JJ building|NN we|PRP were|VBD parked|VBN next|JJ to|TO .|. 
Glancing|NNP back|RB at|IN that|DT gleaming|VBG glare|NN ,|, I|PRP decided|VBD that|IN it|PRP might|MD be|VB safer|JJR to|TO follow|VB the|DT driver|NN than|IN to|TO wait|VB with|IN the|DT car|NN .|. 
I|PRP hopped|JJ out|IN ,|, ran|VBD after|IN him|PRP ,|, and|CC reached|VBD him|PRP just|RB as|IN he|PRP was|VBD knocking|VBG on|IN the|DT door|NN .|. 
Someone|NN opened|VBD it|PRP a|DT crack|NN ,|, then|RB ushered|VBD us|PRP in|IN .|. 

Inside|IN ,|, the|DT building|NN opened|VBD up|RB .|. 
The|DT ceiling|NN was|VBD high|JJ and|CC wooden|JJ ,|, and|CC I|PRP could|MD see|VB part|NN of|IN a|DT DJ|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ booth|NN down|RP the|DT hall|NN .|. 
It|PRP looked|VBD like|IN we|PRP were|VBD in|IN the|DT back|NN of|IN a|DT nightclub|NN .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP looked|VBD down|RB and|CC saw|VBD what|WP had|VBD let|VBN us|PRP in|IN .|. 
“|NN Nepthys|NNP ,|, my|PRP$ man|NN !|. 
What|WP up|RB ?|. ”|NN 
The|DT hunchbacked|JJ being|NN who|WP let|VBP us|PRP in|IN held|VBN out|RP a|DT scraggly|RB paw|NN for|IN him|PRP to|TO slap|VB .|. 
“|NN Nice|NNP ,|, my|PRP$ man|NN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD as|IN they|PRP clasped|JJ hands|NNS .|. 
“|NN Who|WP ’|NN s|VBZ the|DT freak|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN This|DT is|VBZ someone|NN from|IN Ivan|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ family|NN .|. 
Did|VBD I|PRP ever|RB tell|VBP you|PRP about|IN them|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Yeah|UH ,|, one|CD time|NN ,|, man|NN ,|, but|CC you|PRP were|VBD pretty|RB fucked|JJ up|RP .|. 
What|WP ’|NN s|VBZ your|PRP$ problem|NN ,|, kid|NN ?|. ”|NN 

The|DT hunchbacked|JJ man|NN came|VBD up|IN to|TO my|PRP$ stomach|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ skin|NN was|VBD brown|JJ and|CC stretched|VBN ,|, like|IN some|DT diseased|JJ sapling|VBG ’|NN s|VBZ bark|NN .|. 
It|PRP pulled|VBD back|RB around|IN his|PRP$ fingertips|NNS ,|, which|WDT bore|VBD things|NNS that|WDT might|MD have|VB been|VBN nails|NNS or|CC claws|NNS .|. 
When|WRB he|PRP grinned|JJ ,|, I|PRP saw|VBD that|IN his|PRP$ teeth|NNS were|VBD sharp|JJ and|CC small|JJ ,|, like|IN a|DT hunting|NN cat|NN ’|NN s|VBZ .|. 
Under|IN matted|JJ hair|NN ,|, his|PRP$ eyes|NNS had|VBD slit|NN pupils|NNS .|. 

Nepthys|NNP quickly|RB answered|VBD for|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Girlfriend|NNP troubles|NNS .|. 
She|PRP came|VBD down|RB here|RB with|IN someone|NN after|IN a|DT party|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN think|VBP it|PRP was|VBD one|CD of|IN your|PRP$ average|JJ pixies|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Bummer|NNP .|. 
So|RB ,|, what|WP ’|NN s|VBZ the|DT cat|NN look|NN like|IN ?|. ”|NN 

He|PRP turned|VBD to|TO me|PRP .|. 
Nepthys|NNP nodded|JJ :|: “|NN It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ okay|JJ ,|, you|PRP can|MD trust|VB him|PRP .|. 
That|DT ’|NN s|VBZ why|WRB we|PRP came|VBD here|RB .|. ”|NN 

It|PRP was|VBD easier|JJR to|TO talk|VB than|IN to|TO question|VB .|. 
“|NN I|PRP …|NN I|PRP noticed|VBD him|PRP from|IN across|IN the|DT room|NN when|WRB I|PRP was|VBD looking|VBG around|IN for|IN Rachel|NNP .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD standing|VBG right|NN in|IN front|NN of|IN some|DT blue|JJ lights|NNS ,|, so|IN I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN see|VB him|PRP very|RB well|RB ,|, but|CC I|PRP noticed|VBD the|DT way|NN that|IN the|DT light|JJ set|VBN off|RP his|PRP$ pale|JJ skin|NN .|. 
It|PRP almost|RB looked|VBD like|IN the|DT light|JJ bent|NN around|IN him|PRP without|IN actually|RB touching|VBG him|PRP directly|RB .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD slim|JJ ,|, almost|RB drawn|VBN ,|, but|CC he|PRP had|VBD a|DT kind|NN of|IN …|NN luster|NN to|TO him|PRP ,|, I|PRP guess|VBP .|. 
He|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN a|DT person|NN you|PRP ’|NN d|SYM describe|VB with|IN normal|JJ adjectives|NNS ,|, you|PRP know|VBP ?|. ”|NN 

They|PRP nodded|JJ .|. 
“|NN Oh|UH ,|, totally|RB ,|, ”|NN said|VBD the|DT hunchback|NN .|. 
“|NN I|PRP get|VBP that|IN all|PDT the|DT time|NN around|RP here|RB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN He|PRP was|VBD wearing|VBG a|DT sort|NN of|IN jacket|NN …|NN maybe|RB blue|JJ velvet|NN ,|, I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN tell|VB in|IN the|DT dark|NN ,|, but|CC it|PRP had|VBD ruffles|NNS at|IN the|DT throat|NN ,|, things|NNS like|IN that|DT .|. 
He|PRP really|RB stood|VBD out|RP .|. 
That|DT ’|NN s|VBZ why|WRB I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN understand|VB why|WRB no-one|JJ else|RB remembered|VBD him|PRP .|. 
He|PRP had|VBD some|DT rings|NNS ,|, too|RB .|. 
I|PRP remember|VBP that|IN he|PRP hardly|RB ever|RB moved|VBD ,|, just|RB stared|VBD at|IN Rachel|NNP .|. 
Even|RB when|WRB he|PRP talked|VBD ,|, he|PRP hardly|RB opened|VBD his|PRP$ mouth|NN .|. 
I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN know|VB how|WRB he|PRP could|MD ’|NN ve|NN been|VBN heard|VBN over|IN the|DT music|NN .|. ”|NN 

The|DT two|CD glanced|VBD at|IN each|DT other|JJ .|. 
“|NN What|WP do|VBP you|PRP think|VBP ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD the|DT hunchback|NN .|. 

“|NN I|PRP ’|NN ve|NN looked|VBD into|IN it|PRP a|DT little|JJ ,|, and|CC I|PRP do|VBP think|VBP we|PRP might|MD be|VB dealing|VBG with|IN one|CD of|IN them|PRP .|. 
Have|VBP you|PRP seen|VBN anyone|NN like|IN that|DT in|IN your|PRP$ club|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Not|RB that|IN I|PRP can|MD remember|VB ,|, man|NN .|. 
I|PRP can|MD send|VB you|PRP to|TO a|DT guy|NN who|WP knows|VBZ all|DT about|IN them|PRP ,|, though|RB .|. 
If|IN this|DT cat|NN ’|NN s|VBZ for|IN real|JJ ,|, I|PRP bet|VBD my|PRP$ friend|NN can|MD tell|VB you|PRP everything|NN you|PRP need|VBP to|TO know|VB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN You|PRP ’|NN re|NN a|DT wonder|NN ,|, Dvorov|NNP .|. 
We|PRP should|MD head|VB straight|JJ over|IN .|. 
It|PRP won|VBD ’|NN t|NN be|VB long|RB before|IN nightfall|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Oh|UH yeah|UH ,|, man|NN .|. 
Here|RB ,|, let|VB me|PRP write|VB down|RB how|WRB to|TO find|VB him|PRP .|. ”|NN 
The|DT hunchback|NN pulled|VBD out|RP a|DT scrap|NN of|IN paper|NN and|CC scribbled|VBD something|NN on|IN it|PRP with|IN his|PRP$ fingernail|NN ,|, then|RB handed|VBN it|PRP to|TO Nepthys|NNP .|. 
“|NN Here|RB you|PRP go|VBP ,|, man|NN .|. 
Good|JJ luck|NN !|. ”|NN 

“|NN Thanks|NNS ,|, Dvorov|NNP .|. 
I|PRP owe|VBP you|PRP one|CD .|. 
Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ go|VB .|. ”|NN 
That|DT last|JJ one|CD was|VBD to|TO me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP waved|VBD goodbye|UH to|TO the|DT hunchback|NN as|IN we|PRP left|VBD .|. 
He|PRP gave|VBD me|PRP a|DT half-hearted|JJ wave|NN that|WDT made|VBD me|PRP wonder|VBP what|WP exactly|RB we|PRP were|VBD chasing|VBG ,|, and|CC whether|IN I|PRP should|MD be|VB wearing|VBG body|NN armor|NN .|. 

Back|RB on|IN the|DT street|NN ,|, I|PRP began|VBD to|TO see|VB things|NNS that|IN I|PRP had|VBD never|RB looked|VBN for|IN until|IN then|RB .|. 
Still|RB in|IN my|PRP$ initial|JJ shock|NN ,|, I|PRP suddenly|RB noticed|VBD qualities|NNS of|IN the|DT people|NNS that|IN my|PRP$ mind|NN hadn|NN ’|NN t|NN registered|VBN when|WRB we|PRP parked|VBD .|. 
I|PRP saw|VBD people|NNS with|IN skin|NN stretched|VBN so|RB tightly|RB across|IN their|PRP$ cheekbones|NNS that|IN the|DT corners|NNS had|VBD broken|VBN through|IN –|NN people|NNS whose|WP$ cheekbones|NNS had|VBD horns|NNS growing|VBG from|IN them|PRP ,|, and|CC people|NNS whose|WP$ skin|NN was|VBD gathered|VBN back|RB like|IN a|DT ponytail|NN .|. 
The|DT yellow|NN of|IN this|DT sky|NN wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN just|RB smog|NN :|: it|PRP had|VBD a|DT leeching|VBG ,|, heavy|JJ dimness|NNS .|. 
I|PRP saw|VBD men|NNS three|CD feet|NNS tall|JJ with|IN dusty|JJ black|JJ skin|NN and|CC eyes|NNS that|WDT shed|VBP yellow|JJ light|NN .|. 
A|DT corpulent|NN ,|, batrachian|NN woman|NN walked|VBD along|IN with|IN something|NN on|IN a|DT leash|NN that|WDT looked|VBD like|IN a|DT massive|JJ water|NN beetle|NN .|. 
Leaning|NNP from|IN the|DT rough-hewn|JJ window|NN of|IN one|CD building|NN on|IN our|PRP$ right|NN was|VBD something|NN with|IN long|JJ ,|, green|JJ hair|NN draped|JJ across|IN the|DT seven|CD gangly|RB arms|NNS hanging|VBG from|IN its|PRP$ windowsill|NN .|. 
Thirty-five|CD thin|JJ fingers|NNS waved|VBD lazily|RB like|IN seaweed|JJ .|. 
I|PRP noticed|VBD when|WRB my|PRP$ back|RB hit|VBD the|DT wall|NN that|IN I|PRP was|VBD walking|VBG backwards|JJ .|. 

“|NN We|PRP ,|, and|CC thousands|NNS like|IN us|PRP ,|, have|VBP been|VBN living|VBG separately|RB as|RB long|RB as|IN there|EX has|VBZ been|VBN a|DT human|JJ society|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD my|PRP$ driver|NN .|. 
I|PRP noticed|VBD that|IN the|DT wrinkles|NNS on|IN his|PRP$ neck|NN expanded|VBN as|IN he|PRP breathed|VBD and|CC realized|VBD that|IN they|PRP were|VBD gills|NNS .|. 
“|NN We|PRP interact|NN with|IN humans|NNS ,|, take|VB advantage|NN of|IN them|PRP ,|, grant|VB them|PRP boons|NNS ,|, sometimes|RB even|RB become|VB their|PRP$ friends|NNS ,|, but|CC the|DT majority|NN of|IN both|DT societies|NNS have|VBP little|JJ or|CC no|DT interaction|NN .|. 
At|IN this|DT point|NN ,|, we|PRP have|VBP removed|VBN ourselves|PRP so|RB fully|RB from|IN quotidian|NN human|JJ existence|NN that|IN we|PRP are|VBP understood|VBN to|TO be|VB fictional|JJ .|. 

“|NN The|DT only|JJ place|NN with|IN any|DT significant|JJ interaction|NN between|IN our|PRP$ worlds|NNS is|VBZ on|IN the|DT fringes|NNS of|IN yours|NNS .|. 
Love-ins|NNP ,|, raves|VBZ ,|, gatherings|NNS where|WRB society|NN is|VBZ put|JJ on|IN hold|NN and|CC humans|NNS open|JJ themselves|PRP to|TO emotion|NN :|: that|DT is|VBZ where|WRB entities|NNS from|IN this|DT world|NN tend|VBP to|TO go|VB when|WRB they|PRP cross|VBP over|IN ,|, and|CC that|DT is|VBZ where|WRB Rachel|NNP met|VBD someone|NN from|IN this|DT world|NN .|. 
Those|DT of|IN us|PRP who|WP live|VBP permanently|RB in|IN this|DT world|NN tend|VBP to|TO set|VB up|RP in|IN places|NNS like|IN this|DT ,|, where|WRB the|DT human|JJ population|NN is|VBZ so|RB overwhelming|JJ that|IN they|PRP won|VBD ’|NN t|NN be|VB noticed|VBN in|IN the|DT right|JJ corner|NN ,|, with|IN the|DT right|NN protective|JJ spells|NNS .|. ”|NN 

He|PRP took|VBD out|RP the|DT hunchback|NN ’|NN s|VBZ directions|NNS and|CC glanced|VBD at|IN an|DT alley|NN behind|IN us|PRP .|. 
“|NN Okay|UH ,|, Nathan|NNP .|. 
We|PRP should|MD get|VB started|VBD right|RB away|RB .|. 
There|EX ’|NN s|VBZ no|DT time|NN to|TO waste|VB .|. ”|NN 

He|PRP saw|VBD that|IN I|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN moving|NN .|. 
Setting|VBG an|DT arm|NN on|IN my|PRP$ shoulder|NN ,|, he|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN Nathan|NNP ,|, what|WP you|PRP see|VBP here|RB might|MD be|VB frightening|JJ ,|, but|CC those|DT things|NNS you|PRP saw|VBD are|VBP people|NNS just|RB like|IN you|PRP .|. 
They|PRP ’|NN ll|NN be|VB as|IN surprised|VBN to|TO see|VB a|DT human|NN as|IN you|PRP are|VBP to|TO see|VB men|NNS with|IN seven|CD arms|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Thanks|NNS .|. 
It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ very|RB reassuring|JJ that|IN I|PRP ’|NN ll|NN not|RB only|RB be|VB an|DT outsider|NN but|CC a|DT curiosity|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Nathan|NNP ,|, you|PRP told|VBD me|PRP five|CD minutes|NNS ago|RB that|IN you|PRP would|MD do|VB anything|NN to|TO help|VB Rachel|NNP .|. 
Well|RB ,|, she|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ here|RB and|CC she|PRP needs|VBZ your|PRP$ help|NN .|. 
Now|RB ,|, the|DT more|JJR we|PRP can|MD do|VB before|IN nightfall|NN ,|, the|DT better|JJR .|. ”|NN 

“|NN But|CC why|WRB are|VBP you|PRP even|RB helping|VBG me|PRP ?|. 
Until|IN thirty|CD seconds|NNS ago|RB ,|, I|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN believe|VBP in|IN magic|JJ or|CC any|DT of|IN that|DT kind|NN of|IN …|NN weirdness|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Nathan|NNP ,|, I|PRP told|VBD you|PRP :|: my|PRP$ family|NN owes|VBZ yours|NNS a|DT debt|NN .|. 
In|IN this|DT world|NN ,|, one|CD ’|NN s|VBZ word|NN is|VBZ a|DT promise|NN .|. 
Now|RB ,|, can|MD we|PRP get|VB going|VBG ?|. ”|NN 

I|PRP caught|VBD my|PRP$ breath|NN and|CC forced|VBD myself|PRP to|TO look|VB him|PRP in|IN the|DT eye|NN .|. 
“|NN Only|RB if|IN you|PRP stop|VBP beginning|VBG every|DT sentence|NN with|IN my|PRP$ name|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN You|PRP ’|NN ve|NN got|VBD a|DT deal|NN .|. 
Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ go|VB .|. ”|NN 

As|IN we|PRP headed|VBD down|RP the|DT sidewalk|NN ,|, I|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN What|WP is|VBZ your|PRP$ name|NN ,|, anyway|RB ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN That|DT ’|NN s|VBZ a|DT question|NN you|PRP learn|VBP not|RB to|TO ask|VB here|RB .|. 
What|WP you|PRP may|MD call|VB me|PRP is|VBZ Nepthys|NNP .|. ”|NN 

Holding|NNP Dvorov|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ directions|NNS ,|, Nepthys|NNP took|VBD us|PRP around|IN the|DT corner|NN of|IN the|DT building|NN into|IN a|DT skinny|NN alleyway|NN .|. 
I|PRP started|VBD wondering|VBG again|RB how|WRB reliable|JJ my|PRP$ guide|NN ’|NN s|VBZ credentials|NNS were|VBD .|. 
Walking|VBG through|IN an|DT alley|NN with|IN rubbish|JJ piles|NNS that|WDT occasionally|RB skittered|JJ from|IN one|CD wall|NN to|TO the|DT other|JJ ,|, he|PRP did|VBD not|RB inspire|VB confidence|NN .|. 

“|NN Just|RB at|IN this|DT corner|NN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD ,|, interrupting|VBG my|PRP$ immanent|NN panic|NN attack|NN ,|, “|NN we|PRP ’|NN re|NN going|VBG to|TO stop|VB and|CC turn|VB three|CD times|NNS widdersh|NN –|NN er|UH ,|, counterclockwise|NN ,|, then|RB face|NN east|JJ .|. 
East|NNP is|VBZ that|DT way|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP pointed|VBD at|IN the|DT wall|NN to|TO our|PRP$ right|JJ .|. 
“|NN Don|NNP ’|NN t|NN let|VBP the|DT sun|NN fool|NN you|PRP .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP ’|NN m|NN going|VBG to|TO shed|VB a|DT little|JJ blood|NN ,|, but|CC don|VB ’|NN t|NN worry|VBP ,|, none|NN of|IN yours|NNS .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP blinked|VBD at|IN him|PRP ,|, but|CC he|PRP just|RB kept|VBD walking|VBG until|IN we|PRP reached|VBD the|DT corner|NN .|. 
“|NN Okay|UH ,|, you|PRP might|MD feel|VB silly|JJ ,|, but|CC just|RB turn|VB three|CD times|NNS to|TO your|PRP$ left|JJ .|. 
Try|VB to|TO keep|VB in|IN time|NN with|IN me|PRP .|. ”|NN 
We|PRP spun|VBD around|IN three|CD times|NNS ,|, and|CC then|RB something|NN flashed|VBD across|IN Nepthys|NNP ’|NN hand|NN and|CC he|PRP shook|VBD a|DT spray|NN of|IN blood|NN onto|IN the|DT dust|NN .|. 
The|DT blood|NN flashed|VBD into|IN flames|NNS as|RB soon|RB as|IN it|PRP hit|VBD the|DT ground|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP jumped|VBD back|RB .|. 
When|WRB it|PRP had|VBD all|DT burnt|JJ ,|, a|DT thin|JJ outline|NN of|IN a|DT doorframe|NN appeared|VBD on|IN the|DT wall|NN across|IN from|IN our|PRP$ corner|NN .|. 
Nepthys|NNP walked|VBD towards|IN it|PRP and|CC pressed|VBD his|PRP$ bloody|JJ palm|NN against|IN it|PRP ,|, opening|VBG the|DT door|NN .|. 
“|NN Are|VBP you|PRP coming|VBG ?|. ”|NN 

We|PRP slipped|VBD through|IN the|DT door|NN and|CC came|VBD out|IN ,|, not|RB inside|IN the|DT building|NN ,|, but|CC on|IN a|DT busy|JJ street|NN in|IN a|DT completely|RB different|JJ part|NN of|IN town|NN .|. 
The|DT sky|NN ,|, cupping|VBG over|IN squat|JJ buildings|NNS ,|, was|VBD less|RBR yellow|JJ here|RB ,|, and|CC stands|NNS were|VBD set|VBN up|RP everywhere|RB the|DT way|NN I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM picture|NN a|DT market|NN in|IN the|DT Middle|NNP East|NNP .|. 
Nepthys|NNP took|VBD us|PRP immediately|RB to|TO the|DT right|NN ,|, where|WRB he|PRP led|VBD us|PRP to|TO a|DT cart|NN filled|VBN with|IN herbs|NNS .|. 
Spiced|NNP air|NN hanging|VBG around|IN the|DT cart|NN carried|VBD tarragon|NN ,|, rosemary|JJ ,|, and|CC scents|NNS I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN place|NN .|. 
The|DT thing|NN tending|VBG the|DT cart|NN reminded|VBD me|PRP of|IN the|DT caterpillar|NN from|IN Alice|NNP in|IN Wonderland|NNP :|: it|PRP had|VBD the|DT same|JJ opium-dream|JJ wise|JJ man|NN quality|NN I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM always|RB given|VBN the|DT caterpillar|NN .|. 
Its|PRP$ arms|NNS were|VBD thin|JJ and|CC long|RB enough|RB to|TO reach|VB any|DT herbs|NNS from|IN its|PRP$ cushion|NN in|IN the|DT center|NN of|IN the|DT cart|NN ,|, and|CC with|IN its|PRP$ long|JJ ,|, many-shouldered|JJ pole|NN of|IN a|DT torso|NN ,|, it|PRP rose|VBD over|IN our|PRP$ heads|NNS even|RB while|IN seated|VBN .|. 
Its|PRP$ face|NN was|VBD small|JJ and|CC wrinkled|JJ ,|, with|IN penny-sized|JJ smoked|VBD glasses|NNS balanced|VBN on|IN its|PRP$ thin|JJ nose|NN .|. 
“|NN Would|MD the|DT gentlemen|NNS care|VBP to|TO purchase|VB some|DT fine|NN herbs|NNS ?|. ”|NN 
it|PRP asked|VBD .|. 
“|NN There|EX are|VBP no|DT finer|NN to|TO spice|NN a|DT meal|NN ,|, nor|CC purer|NN to|TO mix|VB a|DT potion|NN .|. 
Please|VB ,|, let|VB yourselves|PRP breathe|VB the|DT fine|NN scent|NN of|IN these|DT herbs|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN We|PRP ’|NN re|NN not|RB here|RB to|TO browse|VB ,|, ”|NN Nepthys|NNP told|VBD him|PRP .|. 
“|NN We|PRP ’|NN d|SYM like|IN to|TO see|VB a|DT man|NN about|IN some|DT garlic|JJ .|. ”|NN 

The|DT thing|NN frowned|JJ .|. 
“|NN We|PRP have|VBP many|JJ fine|NN cloves|NNS of|IN garlic|JJ here|RB on|IN the|DT cart|NN ,|, gentle|JJ sir|NN .|. 
If|IN –|NN ”|NN 

“|NN You|PRP know|VBP what|WP I|PRP mean|VBP .|. 
Please|VB ,|, if|IN we|PRP could|MD see|VB him|PRP ,|, we|PRP would|MD be|VB much|RB obliged|VBN .|. 
I|PRP imagine|VBP that|IN people|NNS do|VBP not|RB come|VB here|RB for|IN unimportant|JJ reasons|NNS .|. ”|NN 

It|PRP hissed|VBD thoughtfully|RB .|. 
“|NN True|JJ ,|, true|JJ .|. 
Step|NN behind|IN the|DT cart|NN and|CC enter|VB through|IN the|DT door|NN there|RB ,|, using|VBG your|PRP$ left|JJ hand|NN to|TO open|VB the|DT door|NN and|CC your|PRP$ right|JJ –|NN ”|NN 
he|PRP looked|VBD at|IN me|PRP “|NN –|NN to|TO close|VB it|PRP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Thank|VB you|PRP .|. ”|NN 
Nepthys|NNP bowed|VBD slightly|RB and|CC we|PRP walked|VBD behind|IN the|DT cart|NN .|. 

The|DT latch|VBP opened|VBN under|IN Nepthys|NNP ’|NN left|VBD hand|NN with|IN a|DT clack|NN !|. 
The|DT door|NN took|VBD us|PRP to|TO the|DT bottom|NN of|IN a|DT flight|NN of|IN wooden|JJ stairs|NNS .|. 
At|IN the|DT top|NN was|VBD one|CD door|NN .|. 
We|PRP entered|VBD .|. 

The|DT room|NN held|VBD a|DT bed|NN ,|, a|DT bookcase|NN ,|, and|CC a|DT desk|NN with|IN one|CD chair|NN .|. 
Its|PRP$ only|RB light|NN came|VBD from|IN a|DT dying|VBG candle|NN on|IN the|DT desk|NN whose|WP$ spark|VB etched|JJ shadows|NNS in|IN the|DT roughly|RB planked|JJ walls|NNS .|. 
On|IN the|DT bed|NN was|VBD a|DT small|JJ ,|, ratty|NN man|NN .|. 
I|PRP smelled|VBD matted|JJ hair|NN and|CC cedar|NN chips|NNS .|. 
He|PRP opened|VBD one|CD eye|NN when|WRB we|PRP came|VBD in|IN but|CC did|VBD not|RB move|VB .|. 

“|NN We|PRP ’|NN re|NN here|RB for|IN information|NN about|IN a|DT vampire|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP .|. 

“|NN Oh|UH ,|, shit|NN !|. ”|NN 
I|PRP said|VBD .|. 

“|NN Sorry|JJ ,|, kid|NN .|. 
–|NN Would|MD you|PRP do|VB us|PRP the|DT kindness|NN of|IN helping|VBG us|PRP to|TO identify|VB an|DT individual|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Wait|NN ,|, Nepthys|NNP –|NN you|PRP said|VBD nothing|NN about|IN vampires|NNS .|. 
Frankly|RB ,|, I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN know|VB if|IN we|PRP can|MD even|RB doing|VBG anything|NN against|IN a|DT vampire|NN .|. 
There|EX ’|NN s|VBZ an|DT entire|JJ industry|NN in|IN my|PRP$ world|NN based|VBN around|IN how|WRB unkillable|JJ they|PRP are|VBP .|. 
Are|VBP …|NN look|NN ,|, are|VBP they|PRP as|RB bad|JJ as|IN people|NNS in|IN my|PRP$ world|NN think|VBP they|PRP are|VBP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN know|VB .|. 
They|PRP ’|NN re|NN almost|RB as|IN rare|JJ here|RB ,|, and|CC I|PRP ’|NN ve|NN never|RB heard|VBD a|DT reliable|JJ story|NN of|IN someone|NN successfully|RB fighting|VBG a|DT vampire|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Only|RB unsuccessfully|RB ,|, right|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN No|DT ,|, those|DT people|NNS don|VB ’|NN t|NN usually|RB leave|VB stories|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Oh|UH ,|, thanks|NNS ,|, Nepthys|NNP ,|, for|IN your|PRP$ confidence-inspiring|JJ tales|NNS of|IN experience|NN .|. 
So|IN they|PRP ’|NN re|NN probably|RB worse|JJR than|IN we|PRP think|VBP ,|, okay|JJ ,|, that|DT ’|NN s|VBZ great|JJ .|. 
Now|RB can|MD you|PRP tell|VB me|PRP what|WP your|PRP$ master|NN plan|NN of|IN attack|NN will|MD be|VB before|IN we|PRP go|VBP spinning|JJ counterclockwise|NN into|IN an|DT Anne|NNP Rice|NNP novel|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN My|PRP$ plan|NN is|VBZ that|IN you|PRP shut|VBD up|RB while|IN we|PRP ’|NN re|NN trying|VBG to|TO conduct|VB business|NN with|IN someone|NN who|WP might|MD be|VB able|JJ to|TO tell|VB us|PRP what|WP we|PRP ’|NN re|NN actually|RB going|VBG up|RP against|IN .|. 
Okay|UH ?|. 
Don|NNP ’|NN t|NN forget|VB ,|, she|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ your|PRP$ girlfriend|NN .|. 
Now|RB calm|VB down|RB while|IN I|PRP talk|VBP to|TO this|DT gentleman|NN .|. 
I|PRP can|MD hear|VB your|PRP$ heartbeat|NN from|IN over|IN here|RB .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP shut|VBD up|RB and|CC tried|VBD to|TO breathe|VB .|. 
Nepthys|NNP turned|VBD back|RB to|TO the|DT little|JJ man|NN on|IN the|DT bed|NN ,|, who|WP had|VBD not|RB moved|VBN .|. 
“|NN Please|VB ,|, accept|VB our|PRP$ apologies|NNS .|. 
As|IN you|PRP can|MD see|VB ,|, our|PRP$ situation|NN is|VBZ of|IN personal|JJ importance|NN to|TO the|DT young|JJ man|NN .|. 
Now|RB :|: may|MD we|PRP ask|VB you|PRP a|DT few|JJ questions|NNS about|IN an|DT individual|JJ we|PRP believe|VBP to|TO be|VB a|DT vampire|NN ?|. 
It|PRP would|MD be|VB a|DT great|JJ help|NN to|TO us|PRP .|. ”|NN 

The|DT little|JJ man|NN drew|VBD a|DT few|JJ loud|JJ breaths|NNS that|WDT died|VBD in|IN the|DT wooden|JJ room|NN ’|NN s|VBZ tight|JJ air|NN .|. 
Finally|RB ,|, in|IN a|DT pinched|VBN rasp|NN ,|, he|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN My|PRP$ information|NN is|VBZ purely|RB for|IN the|DT purposes|NNS of|IN a|DT collector|NN .|. 
I|PRP do|VBP not|RB want|VB to|TO provide|VB help|VB to|TO someone|NN who|WP would|MD do|VB harm|VB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Sir|NNP ,|, we|PRP simply|RB want|VBP to|TO discover|VB whether|IN this|DT individual|NN is|VBZ ,|, in|IN fact|NN ,|, a|DT vampire|NN .|. 
If|IN there|EX is|VBZ any|DT boon|NN that|IN you|PRP would|MD have|VB us|PRP do|VB in|IN return|NN ,|, we|PRP would|MD be|VB glad|JJ to|TO do|VB it|PRP .|. ”|NN 

He|PRP continued|VBD to|TO lie|VB in|IN place|NN ,|, still|RB breathing|VBG heavily|RB .|. 
I|PRP tried|VBD to|TO keep|VB myself|PRP calm|VB .|. 
Then|RB ,|, with|IN a|DT sigh|NN ,|, he|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN I|PRP have|VBP need|NN of|IN a|DT certain|JJ stone|NN that|IN I|PRP once|RB possessed|VBD .|. 
It|PRP would|MD allow|VB me|PRP to|TO leave|VB this|DT bed|NN ,|, despite|IN my|PRP$ current|JJ illness|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ problem|NN is|VBZ that|IN it|PRP was|VBD not|RB made|VBN in|IN this|DT realm|NN ,|, but|CC by|IN a|DT human|NN ,|, and|CC only|RB a|DT human|NN may|MD handle|VB it|PRP .|. 
The|DT herb|NN vendor|NN will|MD tell|VB you|PRP where|WRB you|PRP can|MD find|VB it|PRP .|. 
If|IN you|PRP would|MD fetch|VB me|PRP this|DT stone|NN ,|, I|PRP would|MD tell|VB you|PRP what|WP I|PRP can|MD .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Of|IN course|NN we|PRP will|MD fetch|VB you|PRP the|DT stone|NN ,|, ”|NN Nepthys|NNP assured|VBD him|PRP .|. 
“|NN You|PRP have|VBP our|PRP$ thanks|NNS .|. ”|NN 

Outside|IN ,|, the|DT thing|NN at|IN the|DT herb|NN cart|NN nodded|JJ when|WRB we|PRP mentioned|VBD the|DT stone|NN .|. 
He|PRP told|VBD Nepthys|NNP the|DT name|NN of|IN a|DT woman|NN who|WP lived|VBD on|IN a|DT certain|JJ street|NN ,|, and|CC we|PRP set|VBD off|RP .|. 

When|WRB we|PRP reached|VBD the|DT street|NN ,|, I|PRP expected|VBD some|DT sort|NN of|IN temple|NN ,|, or|CC a|DT row|NN of|IN antiquaries|NNS ,|, or|CC at|IN least|JJS a|DT sleazy|JJ ,|, black-market|NN relics|NNS merchant|NN .|. 
Instead|RB ,|, it|PRP looked|VBD like|IN we|PRP were|VBD in|IN the|DT red-light|JJ district|NN :|: women|NNS who|WP probably|RB wanted|VBD more|JJR than|IN our|PRP$ money|NN eyed|VBD us|PRP from|IN the|DT alleys|NNS .|. 
Nepthys|NNP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN need|VBP to|TO warn|VB me|PRP not|RB to|TO speak|VB to|TO them|PRP .|. 
He|PRP took|VBD us|PRP to|TO the|DT door|NN of|IN a|DT building|NN like|IN a|DT short|JJ pagoda|NN that|WDT had|VBD a|DT sign|NN hanging|VBG over|IN it|PRP showing|VBG a|DT face|NN with|IN hands|NNS uplifted|JJ ,|, like|IN a|DT saint|NN under|IN G|NNP d|SYM ’|NN s|VBZ light|JJ ,|, and|CC handcuffed|VBN .|. 

Inside|IN ,|, the|DT entrance|NN room|NN was|VBD hung|VBN with|IN bright|JJ silks|NNS and|CC scattered|VBN with|IN velvet|NN cushions|NNS .|. 
Sails|NNP of|IN obscene|JJ orange|NN and|CC a|DT green|NN that|IN insulted|JJ springtime|NN hung|VBD draped|JJ across|IN reds|NNS that|WDT might|MD have|VB been|VBN sensual|JJ elsewhere|RB but|CC here|RB were|VBD only|RB offensive|JJ .|. 
A|DT large|JJ woman|NN ,|, similarly|RB decorated|VBN ,|, quickly|RB drifted|VBD up|RP to|TO us|PRP .|. 

“|NN Good|JJ evening|NN ,|, gentlemen|NNS ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN May|NNP I|PRP invite|VB you|PRP to|TO have|VB a|DT cup|NN of|IN tea|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN No|DT ,|, thank|VB you|PRP ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP ,|, “|NN we|PRP regret|VBP that|IN we|PRP cannot|NN take|NN up|RP your|PRP$ kind|NN offer|NN .|. 
Are|VBP you|PRP the|DT proprietor|NN of|IN this|DT shop|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Yes|UH ,|, ”|NN answered|VBD the|DT woman|NN .|. 
“|NN I|PRP am|VBP Madame|NNP Entera|NNP ,|, at|IN your|PRP$ service|NN .|. 
How|WRB can|MD I|PRP help|VB you|PRP gentlemen|NNS ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN We|PRP are|VBP here|RB to|TO see|VB about|IN a|DT certain|JJ stone|NN .|. ”|NN 

She|PRP raised|VBD an|DT eyebrow|NN .|. 
“|NN Are|VBP you|PRP ?|. 
Well|RB ,|, we|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN get|VB many|JJ customers|NNS asking|VBG about|IN that|DT item|NN .|. 
Please|VB ,|, walk|VBP this|DT way|NN .|. ”|NN 

She|PRP led|VBD us|PRP past|JJ the|DT silks|NNS and|CC through|IN an|DT arch|VBP decorated|VBN with|IN pictures|NNS of|IN wooden|JJ ships|NNS and|CC what|WP looked|VBD like|IN African|JJ tribesmen|NN .|. 
The|DT next|JJ room|NN had|VBD mosaics|NNS of|IN what|WP could|MD have|VB been|VBN Rome|NNP ,|, with|IN men|NNS in|IN simple|JJ tunics|NNS working|VBG in|IN a|DT vineyard|NN on|IN one|CD wall|NN and|CC men|NNS in|IN odd|JJ ,|, floppy|JJ hats|NNS on|IN the|DT other|JJ .|. 
After|IN this|DT ,|, we|PRP went|VBD up|RP a|DT flight|NN of|IN stairs|NNS and|CC past|JJ a|DT row|NN of|IN doors|NNS barred|VBN on|IN the|DT outside|JJ .|. 

“|NN Excuse|NNP me|PRP ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, ignoring|VBG Nepthys|NNP ’|NN warning|NN look|NN ,|, “|NN but|CC may|MD I|PRP ask|VB what|WP is|VBZ kept|VBN in|IN these|DT rooms|NNS ?|. ”|NN 

The|DT woman|NN laughed|VBD .|. 
“|NN Why|WRB ,|, the|DT merchandise|NN ,|, of|IN course|NN ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD .|. 

Nepthys|NNP leaned|VBD close|RB to|TO my|PRP$ ear|NN .|. 
“|NN This|DT is|VBZ a|DT slave|NN shop|NN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP explained|VBD quietly|RB .|. 

The|DT woman|NN paused|VBD before|IN another|DT door|NN ,|, this|DT one|CD not|RB barred|VBN but|CC locked|VBN .|. 
As|IN she|PRP brought|VBD out|RP the|DT key|NN ,|, she|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN We|PRP deal|VBP mostly|RB in|IN fairly|RB mundane|JJ trades|NNS ,|, but|CC there|EX are|VBP a|DT few|JJ customers|NNS with|IN more|RBR unusual|JJ needs|VBZ and|CC people|NNS willing|JJ to|TO sell|VB unusual|JJ items|NNS .|. 
We|PRP ’|NN ve|NN had|VBD genies|NNS ,|, indentured|JJ sorcerers|NNS ,|, even|RB golems|NNS and|CC the|DT occasional|JJ elf|NN .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ one|CD of|IN the|DT stranger|NN items|NNS ,|, though|RB .|. 
It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ been|VBN in|IN our|PRP$ collection|NN for|IN several|JJ years|NNS because|IN only|RB a|DT human|JJ can|MD activate|VBP it|PRP .|. 
If|IN we|PRP only|RB had|VBD a|DT human|NN on|IN our|PRP$ staff|NN ,|, we|PRP could|MD have|VB done|VBN so|IN ages|NNS ago|RB and|CC sold|VBD it|PRP off|RP ,|, but|CC we|PRP have|VBP no|DT such|JJ luck|NN .|. ”|NN 
She|PRP opened|VBD the|DT door|NN and|CC took|VBD us|PRP past|JJ several|JJ doors|NNS marked|VBD with|IN odd|JJ geometrical|JJ designs|NNS to|TO another|DT locked|VBN room|NN .|. 
“|NN Here|RB it|PRP is|VBZ ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD .|. 

With|IN a|DT flourish|VB ,|, she|PRP opened|VBD the|DT door|NN to|TO reveal|VB a|DT room|NN with|IN walls|NNS inlaid|NN with|IN lapis|NNS and|CC gold|NN wire|NN ,|, intricate|JJ patterns|NNS like|IN a|DT Czar|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ jewelry|NN box|NN crawling|VBG down|RP the|DT walls|NNS .|. 
In|IN its|PRP$ center|NN ,|, under|IN a|DT spearing|VBG ,|, white|JJ light|NN ,|, was|VBD a|DT golden|JJ table|NN draped|JJ with|IN a|DT blue|JJ velvet|NN cloth|NN ,|, on|IN which|WDT lay|VBP a|DT gray|JJ ,|, plum-sized|JJ rock|NN .|. 

“|NN A|DT marvel|VB ,|, isn|NN ’|NN t|NN it|PRP ?|. ”|NN 
she|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN That|DT such|JJ a|DT rock|NN could|MD hold|VB so|RB much|JJ magic|JJ –|NN it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ a|DT wonder|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN That|DT it|PRP is|VBZ ,|, ”|NN Nepthys|NNP assured|VBD her|PRP .|. 
“|NN What|WP would|MD convince|VB you|PRP to|TO part|VB with|IN it|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

She|PRP considered|VBD this|DT ,|, looking|VBG him|PRP over|IN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP wouldn|NN ’|NN t|NN give|VB me|PRP the|DT human|NN ,|, would|MD you|PRP ?|. 
No|DT ,|, 
”|NN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, seeing|VBG his|PRP$ expression|NN ,|, “|NN that|WDT would|MD make|VB the|DT stone|NN rather|RB useless|JJ .|. ”|NN 
Nevertheless|RB ,|, she|PRP gave|VBD me|PRP what|WP I|PRP can|MD only|RB describe|VB as|IN an|DT “|NN appraising|VBG glance|NN ”|NN .|. 
I|PRP have|VBP never|RB felt|VBN so|RB appraised|VBN in|IN all|DT my|PRP$ life|NN .|. 
“|NN He|PRP looks|VBZ healthy|JJ ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN how|WRB about|IN a|DT pint|NN of|IN his|PRP$ blood|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN A|DT pint|NN ?|. 
Madame|NNP ,|, I|PRP have|VBP his|PRP$ health|NN to|TO consider|VB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Half|PDT a|DT pint|NN ,|, then|RB –|NN and|CC his|PRP$ hair|NN .|. ”|NN 

Nepthys|NNP turned|VBD to|TO me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Well|RB ,|, kid|NN ,|, what|WP do|VBP you|PRP think|VBP ?|. 
Remember|VB ,|, this|DT is|VBZ your|PRP$ quest|NN .|. 
I|PRP ’|NN m|NN not|RB giving|VBG my|PRP$ blood|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN As|IN if|IN I|PRP wanted|VBD it|PRP ,|, ”|NN interrupted|VBN the|DT woman|NN .|. 

“|NN I|PRP think|VBP it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ a|DT fair|JJ deal|NN ,|, considering|VBG the|DT return|NN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP told|VBD me|PRP ,|, “|NN but|CC it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ up|IN to|TO you|PRP .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP thought|VBD about|IN it|PRP ,|, then|RB nodded|JJ .|. 

“|NN Marvelous|NNP !|. ”|NN cried|JJ the|DT woman|NN .|. 
“|NN One|CD half-pint|JJ of|IN human|JJ blood|NN ,|, willingly|RB given|VBN ,|, and|CC his|PRP$ fine|NN head|NN of|IN hair|NN for|IN the|DT stone|NN .|. ”|NN 

She|PRP took|VBD us|PRP downstairs|NN to|TO a|DT small|JJ room|NN behind|IN a|DT red|JJ silk|NN draping|VBG .|. 
There|EX was|VBD a|DT wooden|JJ chair|NN ,|, where|WRB she|PRP sat|VBD me|PRP down|RB and|CC asked|VBD me|PRP to|TO wait|VB .|. 
Soon|RB ,|, she|PRP came|VBD back|RB with|IN a|DT lidded|JJ ceramic|JJ bowl|NN ,|, which|WDT she|PRP put|VBP on|IN the|DT table|NN beside|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Roll|NNP up|RP your|PRP$ sleeves|NNS ,|, ”|NN she|PRP told|VBD me|PRP .|. 
She|PRP opened|VBD the|DT bowl|NN and|CC carefully|RB ,|, gingerly|RB brought|VBN out|RP a|DT fat|NN ,|, dripping|VBG leech|NN .|. 
It|PRP must|MD have|VB been|VBN larger|JJR than|IN my|PRP$ finger|NN .|. 
She|PRP laid|VBD it|PRP gently|RB inside|IN the|DT hollow|JJ of|IN my|PRP$ left|JJ arm|NN .|. 
The|DT cold|JJ thing|NN stretched|VBN and|CC cast|NN around|IN with|IN its|PRP$ sucker-mouth|JJ until|IN it|PRP found|VBD the|DT soft|JJ spot|NN inside|IN my|PRP$ elbow|NN ,|, where|WRB it|PRP softly|RB sucked|JJ on|IN and|CC began|VBD to|TO work|VB its|PRP$ way|NN under|IN my|PRP$ skin|NN .|. 
I|PRP thought|VBD that|IN I|PRP could|MD feel|VB a|DT slight|JJ itching|VBG .|. 

“|NN They|PRP take|VBP about|IN a|DT quarter-pint|JJ each|DT ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Madame|NNP Entera|NNP ,|, drawing|VBG out|RP another|DT skinny|NN leech|NN .|. 
“|NN They|PRP ’|NN re|NN quick|JJ ,|, too|RB .|. 
We|PRP ’|NN ll|NN be|VB done|VBN with|IN them|PRP before|IN your|PRP$ hair|NN is|VBZ finished|VBN .|. ”|NN 
Then|RB she|PRP clapped|JJ her|PRP$ hands|NNS and|CC brought|VBN in|IN the|DT barber|NN .|. 

Half|PDT an|DT hour|NN later|RB ,|, I|PRP left|VBD the|DT room|NN pale|JJ and|CC bald|JJ ,|, running|VBG my|PRP$ fingers|NNS over|IN my|PRP$ scalp|NN .|. 
At|IN least|JJS the|DT barber|NN hadn|NN ’|NN t|NN nicked|VBN me|PRP .|. 
Madame|NNP Entera|NNP took|VBD me|PRP back|RB up|IN to|TO the|DT stone|NN ’|NN s|VBZ room|NN ,|, where|WRB Nepthys|NNP was|VBD waiting|VBG by|IN the|DT door|NN .|. 
“|NN Be|VB careful|JJ you|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN let|VB him|PRP touch|VBP it|PRP until|IN you|PRP ’|NN re|NN ready|JJ to|TO use|VB it|PRP ,|, ”|NN the|DT woman|NN admonished|JJ Nepthys|NNP as|IN she|PRP slipped|VBD the|DT stone|NN into|IN a|DT grey|JJ cloth|NN pouch|NN and|CC handed|VBD it|PRP to|TO him|PRP .|. 
“|NN Thank|VB you|PRP for|IN doing|VBG business|NN at|IN our|PRP$ house|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP hope|VBP to|TO see|VB you|PRP again|RB !|. ”|NN 

I|PRP left|VBD not|RB a|DT little|RB unnerved|VBD ,|, and|CC still|RB woozy|NN from|IN the|DT leeches|NNS .|. 
“|NN Come|VBN on|IN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP ,|, “|NN you|PRP could|MD use|VB a|DT drink|NN .|. ”|NN 

We|PRP hit|VBD a|DT bar|NN on|IN the|DT next|JJ street|NN over|IN .|. 
“|NN Vodka|NNP ,|, straight|JJ up|RB ,|, ”|NN Nepthys|NNP told|VBD the|DT bartender|NN as|IN we|PRP sat|VBD down|RB at|IN the|DT counter|NN ,|, “|NN and|CC a|DT Bloody|NNP Mary|NNP for|IN my|PRP$ friend|NN .|. 
Make|VB it|PRP extra|JJ bloody|JJ .|. ”|NN 
When|WRB our|PRP$ drinks|NNS came|VBD ,|, he|PRP poured|VBD a|DT dollop|NN of|IN something|NN from|IN an|DT inner|JJ pocket|NN into|IN my|PRP$ Bloody|NNP Mary|NNP .|. 
“|NN That|DT should|MD help|VB ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN You|PRP could|MD run|VB on|IN empty|JJ with|IN a|DT little|JJ of|IN that|DT stuff|NN .|. 
It|PRP won|VBD ’|NN t|NN refill|NN your|PRP$ blood|NN supply|NN ,|, but|CC while|IN that|DT ’|NN s|VBZ in|IN your|PRP$ system|NN ,|, you|PRP won|VBD ’|NN t|NN even|RB need|VBP blood|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP grinned|JJ at|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Drink|NN up|RB ,|, kid|NN .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP took|VBD about|IN half|NN of|IN the|DT Bloody|NNP Mary|NNP in|IN one|CD gulp|NN and|CC then|RB ate|VBD the|DT celery|NN .|. 
Nepthys|NNP slapped|VBD me|PRP on|IN the|DT back|NN .|. 
“|NN Okay|UH ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN now|RB that|IN we|PRP ’|NN re|NN sitting|VBG down|RB ,|, can|MD you|PRP explain|VB a|DT little|JJ more|JJR of|IN what|WP ’|NN s|VBZ going|VBG on|IN here|RB ?|. 
I|PRP mean|VBP ,|, what|WP is|VBZ this|DT place|NN ,|, really|RB ?|. ”|NN 

He|PRP thought|VBD about|IN that|DT .|. 
“|NN I|PRP think|VBP that|IN our|PRP$ world|NN is|VBZ a|DT reflection|NN of|IN yours|NNS ,|, or|CC yours|NNS is|VBZ a|DT more|RBR boring|JJ reflection|NN of|IN ours|PRP .|. 
This|DT place|NN is|VBZ just|RB a|DT little|JJ of|IN both|DT .|. 
In|IN America|NNP ,|, things|NNS are|VBP still|RB weird|JJ after|IN the|DT European|JJ conquest|NN .|. 
The|DT natives|NNS are|VBP still|RB here|RB ,|, but|CC so|RB is|VBZ everyone|NN else|RB .|. 
The|DT Europeans|NNPS mostly|RB manifest|JJ as|IN something|NN like|IN the|DT underground|JJ society|NN of|IN your|PRP$ cities|NNS .|. 
We|PRP aren|NN ’|NN t|NN quite|RB what|WP you|PRP ’|NN d|SYM expect|VBP from|IN reading|VBG the|DT Grimms|NNP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN What|WP do|VBP you|PRP mean|VBP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Okay|UH ,|, take|VB elves|NNS .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP caught|VBD the|DT bartender|NN ’|NN s|VBZ eye|NN for|IN another|DT shot|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP figure|VBP they|PRP ’|NN re|NN some|DT Lincoln-green|NNP pretty|RB boys|NNS who|WP run|VBP around|IN in|IN the|DT forest|NN with|IN bows|NNS and|CC live|VB forever|RB in|IN halls|NNS of|IN glory|NN ,|, right|NN ?|. 
Not|RB in|IN America|NNP .|. 
Here|RB ,|, they|PRP ’|NN re|NN the|DT snotty|JJ rich|JJ who|WP show|VBP up|RB in|IN clubs|NNS because|IN they|PRP like|VBP the|DT ‘|NN gritty|JJ ambience|NN ’|NN –|NN you|PRP have|VBP them|PRP in|IN your|PRP$ world|NN ,|, too|RB ,|, right|NN ?|. 
Except|IN it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ worse|RBR here|RB because|IN they|PRP have|VBP centuries|NNS to|TO grow|VB disaffected|JJ and|CC flirt|NN with|IN exciting|JJ and|CC dangerous|JJ elements|NNS of|IN society|NN ’|NN s|VBZ lowest|JJS rungs|NNS .|. 
Some|DT of|IN them|PRP actually|RB commit|VBP to|TO this|DT society|NN ,|, though|RB .|. 
There|EX ’|NN s|VBZ an|DT amazing|JJ DJ|NNP who|WP ’|NN s|VBZ an|DT elf|NN .|. 
He|PRP has|VBZ a|DT real|JJ ear|NN for|IN it|PRP .|. 
When|WRB they|PRP do|VBP decide|VB to|TO do|VB something|NN for|IN real|JJ ,|, they|PRP ’|NN re|NN always|RB the|DT best|JJS at|IN it|PRP .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP downed|VBD the|DT second|JJ shot|NN .|. 
“|NN I|PRP am|VBP glad|JJ to|TO be|VB out|IN of|IN the|DT favor-trading|JJ scene|NN for|IN half|PDT a|DT minute|NN .|. 
It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ exhausting|JJ to|TO talk|VB to|TO those|DT people|NNS .|. 
One|CD wrong|JJ word|NN and|CC you|PRP find|VBP yourself|PRP cursed|VBD with|IN infinite|NN earwax|NN or|CC something|NN .|. 
So|RB what|WP else|RB do|VBP you|PRP want|VBP to|TO know|VB ,|, Nathan|NNP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN know|VB …|NN hey|UH ,|, what|WP about|IN the|DT nature|NN spirits|NNS ,|, things|NNS like|IN that|DT ?|. 
I|PRP mean|VBP ,|, where|WRB do|VBP the|DT dryads|NNS fit|VBP in|IN a|DT place|NN like|IN this|DT ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN If|IN the|DT tree|NN isn|NN ’|NN t|NN around|IN ,|, the|DT dryad|NN isn|NN ’|NN t|NN around|IN .|. 
It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ as|RB simple|JJ as|IN that|DT .|. ”|NN 

That|DT made|VBN me|PRP a|DT little|RB sad|JJ .|. 
They|PRP were|VBD always|RB my|PRP$ favorite|JJ part|NN of|IN the|DT Greek|JJ myths|NNS I|PRP read|VBP in|IN elementary|JJ school|NN .|. 
“|NN Well|RB ,|, what|WP about|IN you|PRP ?|. 
How|WRB did|VBD you|PRP get|VBP to|TO America|NNP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN My|PRP$ parents|NNS came|VBD over|IN from|IN Russia|NNP ,|, just|RB like|IN your|PRP$ family|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ real|JJ name|NN is|VBZ a|DT little|JJ more|RBR ethnically|RB appropriate|JJ ,|, but|CC we|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN toss|VB those|DT around|IN in|IN this|DT place|NN .|. 
They|PRP were|VBD spirits|NNS of|IN a|DT certain|JJ branch|NN of|IN the|DT Volga|NNP and|CC the|DT village|NN based|VBN around|IN a|DT mill|NN on|IN that|DT tributary|JJ .|. 
When|WRB the|DT Russian|JJ government|NN dammed|JJ the|DT river|NN ,|, my|PRP$ parents|NNS decided|VBD that|IN instead|RB of|IN dying|VBG with|IN the|DT river|NN ,|, they|PRP would|MD stick|VB with|IN the|DT people|NNS of|IN the|DT village|NN they|PRP ’|NN d|SYM protected|VBN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD born|VBN here|RB ,|, and|CC I|PRP was|VBD lucky|JJ enough|RB not|RB to|TO get|VB attached|VBN to|TO any|DT particular|JJ river|NN .|. 
Sure|RB ,|, I|PRP miss|VBP having|VBG a|DT place|NN to|TO settle|VB down|RB ,|, but|CC it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ better|JJR than|IN waiting|VBG to|TO get|VB dammed|JJ .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP took|VBD another|DT shot|NN of|IN vodka|NN .|. 

“|NN Shouldn|NNP ’|NN t|NN you|PRP be|VB going|VBG light|JJ on|IN the|DT vodka|NN ?|. 
I|PRP mean|VBP ,|, we|PRP might|MD have|VB a|DT lot|NN of|IN work|NN ahead|RB of|IN us|PRP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Are|VBP you|PRP kidding|VBG ?|. 
I|PRP can|MD drink|VB like|IN a|DT fish|NN ,|, kid|NN .|. 
We|PRP should|MD get|VB going|VBG ,|, though|RB .|. 
Still|RB woozy|NN ?|. ”|NN 
I|PRP nodded|JJ .|. 
“|NN A|DT little|JJ walking|NN should|MD get|VB the|DT stuff|NN into|IN your|PRP$ system|NN .|. 
Come|VBN on|IN ,|, let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ go|VB .|. ”|NN 

As|IN we|PRP left|VBD the|DT bar|NN ,|, I|PRP asked|VBD to|TO see|VB the|DT rock|NN .|. 
“|NN Why|WRB ?|. ”|NN 
Nepthys|NNP asked|VBD .|. 

“|NN I|PRP ’|NN m|NN just|RB curious|JJ .|. 
I|PRP want|VBP to|TO see|VB what|WP a|DT magic|JJ stone|NN looks|VBZ like|IN .|. 
Don|NNP ’|NN t|NN worry|VBP ,|, I|PRP ’|NN ll|NN be|VB careful|JJ not|RB to|TO touch|VB it|PRP .|. ”|NN 

He|PRP thought|VBD about|IN it|PRP ,|, then|RB handed|VBN me|PRP the|DT pouch|NN .|. 
I|PRP undid|VBD the|DT strings|NNS and|CC let|VB the|DT pouch|NN sit|VB on|IN my|PRP$ palm|NN so|IN that|IN I|PRP could|MD see|VB the|DT stone|NN inside|IN .|. 
It|PRP looked|VBD like|IN a|DT normal|JJ river|NN stone|NN ,|, a|DT gray|JJ oval|NN with|IN a|DT white|JJ stripe|NN through|IN it|PRP .|. 
As|RB long|RB as|IN I|PRP looked|VBD at|IN it|PRP ,|, it|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN reveal|VBP any|DT magic|JJ sparkle|NN or|CC glow|NN .|. 

Suddenly|RB ,|, what|WP looked|VBD like|IN a|DT little|JJ kid|NN darted|JJ out|IN of|IN an|DT alley|NN and|CC almost|RB ran|VBD into|IN me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP almost|RB tripped|VBN over|IN him|PRP ,|, and|CC the|DT stone|NN went|VBD flying|VBG out|IN of|IN the|DT pouch|NN .|. 
Nepthys|NNP tried|VBD to|TO grab|VB it|PRP ,|, but|CC ,|, by|IN reflex|JJ ,|, I|PRP caught|VBD it|PRP first|JJ .|. 

Immediately|RB ,|, I|PRP felt|VBD it|PRP grow|VBP warm|JJ and|CC knew|VBD that|IN I|PRP had|VBD done|VBN something|NN very|RB stupid|JJ .|. 
“|NN Nathan|NNP ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP ,|, “|NN I|PRP think|VBP that|IN you|PRP just|RB did|VBD something|NN very|RB stupid|JJ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP agree|VBP ,|, ”|NN I|PRP told|VBD him|PRP .|. 
The|DT stone|NN was|VBD as|RB warm|JJ as|IN human|JJ flesh|NN now|RB ,|, and|CC there|EX was|VBD a|DT sort|NN of|IN glow|NN that|WDT might|MD have|VB been|VBN light|JJ or|CC just|RB the|DT stone|NN ’|NN s|VBZ soft|JJ heat|NN ,|, I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN know|VB .|. 
Then|RB there|EX was|VBD light|JJ ,|, a|DT kind|NN of|IN rosy|JJ glow|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP felt|VBD the|DT stone|NN slip|NN out|IN of|IN my|PRP$ hand|NN to|TO float|VB in|IN the|DT air|NN .|. 
The|DT air|NN around|IN me|PRP seemed|VBD to|TO still|RB sound|VB ,|, and|CC light|NN came|VBD in|IN around|IN the|DT corners|NNS of|IN my|PRP$ eyes|NNS .|. 
“|NN Do|VBP you|PRP know|VBP what|WP this|DT thing|NN does|VBZ ?|. ”|NN 
I|PRP shouted|VBD ,|, hardly|RB able|JJ to|TO hear|VB myself|PRP .|. 

Nepthys|NNP was|VBD saying|VBG something|NN that|WDT looked|VBD like|IN ,|, “|NN I|PRP have|VBP no|DT idea|NN !|. ”|NN 
but|CC I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN hear|VB him|PRP .|. 
The|DT light|NN in|IN the|DT corners|NNS of|IN my|PRP$ eyes|NNS rushed|VBD in|IN ,|, converging|VBG on|IN the|DT rosy|JJ glow|NN around|IN the|DT stone|NN ,|, and|CC for|IN a|DT moment|NN I|PRP was|VBD blind|JJ .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP opened|VBD my|PRP$ eyes|NNS again|RB and|CC saw|VBD a|DT girl|NN lying|VBG in|IN the|DT street|NN .|. 
There|EX was|VBD no|DT sign|NN of|IN the|DT stone|NN .|. 

“|NN I|PRP think|VBP I|PRP understand|VBP why|WRB we|PRP got|VBD that|DT stone|NN from|IN a|DT slave|NN shop|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP .|. 
The|DT girl|NN was|VBD as|IN soft|JJ and|CC rosy|JJ as|IN the|DT stone|NN ’|NN s|VBZ glow|NN ,|, and|CC she|PRP was|VBD dressed|VBN in|IN a|DT white|JJ shift|NN tied|VBN at|IN the|DT waist|NN with|IN a|DT belt|NN like|IN a|DT Celtic|NNP knot|NN .|. 
Her|PRP$ arms|NNS and|CC legs|NNS were|VBD wrapped|VBN in|IN white|JJ linen|NN up|IN to|TO her|PRP$ wrists|NNS and|CC ankles|NNS ,|, and|CC soft|JJ ,|, white|JJ leather|NN boots|NNS held|VBD her|PRP$ feet|NNS .|. 

When|WRB she|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN move|NN ,|, I|PRP knelt|NN down|RB and|CC put|VBD a|DT hand|NN to|TO her|PRP$ brow|NN .|. 
As|RB soon|RB as|IN I|PRP touched|VBD her|PRP$ ,|, her|PRP$ eyes|NNS opened|VBD into|IN mine|NN and|CC she|PRP grabbed|VBD my|PRP$ wrist|NN .|. 
I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN move|NN .|. 

“|NN Name|NN me|PRP ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD .|. 

I|PRP opened|VBD my|PRP$ mouth|NN to|TO ask|VB for|IN an|DT explanation|NN ,|, but|CC Nepthys|NNP stopped|VBD me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Don|NNP ’|NN t|NN name|NN her|PRP$ ‘|NN What|WP did|VBD you|PRP say|VB ?|. ’|NN ,|, okay|JJ ?|. 
The|DT next|JJ thing|NN that|WDT comes|VBZ out|IN of|IN your|PRP$ mouth|NN is|VBZ probably|RB what|WP she|PRP ’|NN ll|NN respond|NN to|TO until|IN we|PRP figure|VBP out|IN how|WRB to|TO put|VB her|PRP$ back|RB .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP was|VBD at|IN a|DT loss|NN .|. 
I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM never|RB named|VBN anyone|NN before|RB .|. 
I|PRP thought|VBD back|RB to|TO one|CD time|NN when|WRB I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM been|VBN thinking|VBG about|IN raising|VBG a|DT family|NN and|CC remembered|VBD that|IN I|PRP ’|NN d|SYM always|RB liked|VBD the|DT name|NN –|NN 

“|NN Amy|NNP .|. ”|NN 

Nepthys|NNP looked|VBD at|IN me|PRP incredulously|RB .|. 
“|NN You|PRP awaken|NN a|DT magical|JJ being|NN of|IN unknown|JJ power|NN from|IN an|DT enchanted|JJ stone|NN ,|, having|VBG purchased|VBN her|PRP with|IN your|PRP$ own|JJ blood|NN from|IN a|DT slave|NN dealer|NN ,|, and|CC you|PRP name|VBP her|PRP$ ‘|NN Amy|NNP ’|NN ?|. ”|NN 
Amy|NNP smiled|VBD at|IN me|PRP and|CC let|VB go|NN of|IN my|PRP$ arm|NN ,|, but|CC not|RB before|IN she|PRP brought|VBD my|PRP$ fingers|NNS to|TO her|PRP$ lips|NNS and|CC gave|VBD them|PRP one|CD soft|JJ kiss|NNS .|. 

I|PRP stood|VBD up|RB and|CC Amy|NNP stood|VBD with|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN So|RB …|NN back|RB to|TO our|PRP$ garlicky|NN friend|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP suppose|VBP so|RB ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP ,|, “|NN and|CC you|PRP ’|NN d|SYM better|JJR pray|NN to|TO whatever|WDT god|NN you|PRP think|VBP will|MD listen|VB that|IN he|PRP won|VBD ’|NN t|NN care|NN we|PRP woke|VBD her|PRP$ up|RB .|. ”|NN 

We|PRP walked|VBD back|RB to|TO the|DT herb|NN stand|NN .|. 
The|DT vendor|NN stared|VBD a|DT little|JJ at|IN Amy|NNP ,|, his|PRP$ arms|NNS pausing|VBG in|IN midair|NN as|IN he|PRP lit|VBD the|DT stand|NN ’|NN s|VBZ little|JJ lamp|NN ,|, but|CC we|PRP walked|VBD right|NN around|IN him|PRP and|CC up|RP the|DT wooden|JJ stairs|NNS .|. 

When|WRB Nepthys|NNP opened|VBD the|DT little|JJ man|NN ’|NN s|VBZ door|NN ,|, he|PRP rolled|VBD over|RB and|CC grinned|JJ to|TO see|VB us|PRP ,|, but|CC when|WRB Amy|NNP walked|VBD in|IN ,|, he|PRP blanched|JJ .|. 
“|NN What|WP !|. ”|NN 
he|PRP screamed|VBD .|. 
“|NN You|PRP idiots|NNS !|. 
You|PRP woke|VBD it|PRP up|RP ?|. 
Get|VB out|IN of|IN my|PRP$ sight|NN this|DT instant|NN !|. ”|NN 

“|NN But|CC …|NN but|CC sir|NN ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN are|VBP you|PRP sure|JJ she|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ no|DT help|NN to|TO you|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Not|RB if|IN you|PRP named|VBD it|PRP already|RB ,|, you|PRP ninny|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP ’|NN m|NN sure|JJ that|IN you|PRP have|VBP !|. 
Fools|NNP !|. 
Get|VB out|IN of|IN my|PRP$ sight|NN now|RB –|NN unless|IN you|PRP know|VBP how|WRB to|TO put|VB it|PRP back|RB ?|. 
…|NN I|PRP thought|VBD as|IN much|RB .|. 
Now|RB leave|VB ,|, before|IN I|PRP call|VBP the|DT rats|NNS on|IN you|PRP .|. ”|NN 

We|PRP left|VBD .|. 
Nepthys|NNP shook|VBD his|PRP$ hands|NNS at|IN me|PRP like|VBP he|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO wrap|VB them|PRP around|IN my|PRP$ neck|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP idiot|NN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP hissed|VBD ,|, “|NN do|VBP you|PRP know|VBP how|WRB much|JJ you|PRP ’|NN ve|NN set|VBD us|PRP back|RB ?|. 
I|PRP should|MD say|VB ,|, set|VBN yourself|PRP back|RB ,|, since|IN it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ your|PRP$ girlfriend|NN we|PRP ’|NN re|NN looking|VBG for|IN .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP thought|VBD about|IN Rachel|NNP ;|: in|IN the|DT excitement|NN ,|, I|PRP had|VBD forgotten|VBN why|WRB we|PRP were|VBD chasing|VBG down|RP vampire|NN experts|NNS .|. 
“|NN You|PRP ’|NN re|NN just|RB lucky|JJ that|IN Dvorov|NNP isn|NN ’|NN t|NN my|PRP$ only|RB contact|NN .|. 
Come|VBN on|IN ,|, we|PRP ’|NN re|NN heading|VBG out|RP .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP held|VBD the|DT door|NN for|IN me|PRP and|CC Amy|NNP when|WRB we|PRP reached|VBD the|DT bottom|NN of|IN the|DT stairs|NNS .|. 
Walking|VBG outside|IN ,|, I|PRP was|VBD shocked|VBN to|TO see|VB that|IN it|PRP was|VBD already|RB dark|JJ .|. 
“|NN Night|NNP comes|VBZ quickly|RB here|RB ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP quietly|RB as|IN he|PRP came|VBD out|IN behind|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Didn|NNP ’|NN t|NN I|PRP warn|VBP you|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Okay|UH ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD as|IN we|PRP hit|VBD the|DT street|NN ,|, “|NN we|PRP ’|NN re|NN going|VBG to|TO see|VB another|DT friend|NN of|IN mine|NN .|. 
First|LS ,|, though|RB ,|, we|PRP are|VBP getting|VBG you|PRP a|DT hat|NN .|. 
You|PRP look|VBP ridiculous|JJ with|IN a|DT shaved|VBN head|NN .|. ”|NN 
At|IN a|DT nearby|JJ stand|NN ,|, he|PRP grabbed|VBD the|DT first|JJ hat|NN that|WDT would|MD cover|VB my|PRP$ head|NN and|CC might|MD pass|VB back|RB in|IN real|JJ Boston|NNP .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD a|DT black|JJ baseball|NN cap|NN that|WDT read|VBP “|NN Dead|NNP Can|MD Dance|NN ”|NN in|IN gold|NN across|IN the|DT front|NN .|. 
Amy|NNP liked|VBD it|PRP ,|, I|PRP think|VBP .|. 
She|PRP still|RB hadn|NN ’|NN t|NN spoken|VBN since|IN I|PRP named|VBD her|PRP$ ,|, so|IN I|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN sure|JJ .|. 

He|PRP took|VBD us|PRP to|TO a|DT squat|JJ ,|, long|JJ building|NN whose|WP$ roof|NN bulged|JJ up|RB like|IN the|DT ribs|NNS of|IN a|DT gutted|JJ animal|NN .|. 
The|DT black|JJ door|NN opened|VBD as|IN we|PRP came|VBD up|IN to|TO it|PRP ,|, and|CC a|DT pale|JJ man|NN opened|VBD the|DT door|NN .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD naked|JJ ,|, but|CC there|EX was|VBD nothing|NN to|TO hide|VB :|: his|PRP$ body|NN was|VBD hairless|JJ and|CC completely|RB smooth|JJ .|. 
I|PRP only|RB say|VBP “|NN he|PRP ”|NN because|IN he|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN have|VBP a|DT hint|NN of|IN femininity|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ eyes|NNS were|VBD white|JJ .|. 
From|IN behind|IN him|PRP ,|, I|PRP could|MD hear|VB something|NN that|WDT sounded|VBD like|IN a|DT remix|NN of|IN the|DT Cure|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ “|NN A|DT Forest|NNP ”|NN .|. 

“|NN I|PRP ’|NN m|NN here|RB to|TO see|VB Isis|NNP .|. 
Tell|VB her|PRP that|IN Nepthys|NNP is|VBZ here|RB to|TO see|VB her|PRP .|. ”|NN 

The|DT man|NN closed|VBD his|PRP$ eyes|NNS .|. 
A|DT moment|NN later|RB ,|, he|PRP opened|VBD them|PRP again|RB and|CC stepped|VBD aside|RB to|TO let|VB us|PRP in|IN .|. 
Nepthys|NNP walked|VBD straight|JJ past|JJ him|PRP and|CC I|PRP tried|VBD to|TO keep|VB up|RP ,|, taking|VBG Amy|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ small|JJ hand|NN so|IN that|IN she|PRP wouldn|NN ’|NN t|NN lag|NN behind|IN .|. 
I|PRP shivered|JJ as|IN I|PRP walked|VBD past|JJ the|DT pale|JJ man|NN ’|NN s|VBZ blank|JJ eyes|NNS ,|, wondering|VBG what|WP they|PRP were|VBD staring|VBG at|IN .|. 
Amy|NNP gave|VBD my|PRP$ hand|NN a|DT squeeze|NN .|. 

Nepthys|NNP lead|VB us|PRP down|RP a|DT hallway|NN that|WDT matched|VBD the|DT building|NN ’|NN s|VBZ façade|NN ,|, a|DT vaulted|JJ ,|, ribbed|JJ intestine|NN of|IN a|DT hallway|NN ,|, whose|WP$ black|JJ walls|NNS looked|VBD unsettlingly|RB organic|JJ .|. 
I|PRP thought|VBD that|IN I|PRP saw|VBD one|CD rib|NN shift|NN in|IN its|PRP$ setting|VBG ,|, like|IN a|DT cat|NN trying|VBG to|TO scratch|VB its|PRP$ back|RB against|IN a|DT wall|NN ,|, but|CC when|WRB I|PRP turned|VBD ,|, it|PRP was|VBD still|RB .|. 

Then|RB there|EX was|VBD a|DT door|NN ,|, which|WDT opened|VBD as|IN we|PRP approached|VBD .|. 
Inside|IN ,|, the|DT space|NN opened|VBD into|IN a|DT wide|JJ ,|, square|JJ chamber|NN mirrored|VBD and|CC so|RB dark|JJ that|IN it|PRP could|MD have|VB been|VBN any|DT size|NN .|. 
In|IN the|DT center|NN was|VBD a|DT dais|NNS covered|VBN with|IN white|JJ furs|NNS and|CC a|DT young|JJ woman|NN ,|, surrounded|VBN by|IN more|RBR pale|JJ men|NNS .|. 
These|DT were|VBD incontestably|RB male|JJ .|. 

“|NN Nepthys|NNP !|. ”|NN 
said|VBD the|DT woman|NN ,|, slithering|VBG up|RP across|IN the|DT furs|NNS to|TO sit|VB up|RP .|. 
As|IN she|PRP rose|VBD ,|, her|PRP$ robes|NNS fell|VBD open|JJ and|CC I|PRP realized|VBD that|IN ,|, except|IN for|IN what|WP looked|VBD like|IN a|DT red|JJ silk|NN kimono|NN ,|, she|PRP was|VBD naked|JJ –|NN naked|JJ and|CC stunning|JJ .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD an|DT urge|NN to|TO cover|VB Amy|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ eyes|NNS .|. 
“|NN It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ been|VBN years|NNS since|IN I|PRP ’|NN ve|NN seen|VBN you|PRP .|. 
Please|VB ,|, come|VB and|CC sit|VB beside|IN me|PRP ,|, and|CC introduce|VB your|PRP$ friends|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN This|DT man|NN is|VBZ here|RB in|IN search|NN of|IN his|PRP$ lover|NN ,|, who|WP was|VBD stolen|VBN from|IN him|PRP in|IN the|DT human|JJ world|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP ,|, ushering|VBG us|PRP toward|IN the|DT woman|NN in|IN silk|NN .|. 
“|NN The|DT girl|NN is|VBZ …|NN surprising|JJ ,|, ”|NN he|PRP concluded|VBD .|. 

“|NN And|CC I|PRP am|VBP Isis|NNP ,|, ”|NN said|VBD the|DT woman|NN ,|, offering|VBG her|PRP$ hand|NN to|TO me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP took|VBD it|PRP and|CC ,|, dropping|VBG to|TO one|CD knee|NN ,|, gave|VBD her|PRP$ fingers|NNS a|DT small|JJ kiss|NNS .|. 
It|PRP seemed|VBD appropriate|JJ .|. 
“|NN It|PRP is|VBZ an|DT honor|NN to|TO meet|VB you|PRP ,|, Lady|NNP Isis|NNP ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD .|. 

She|PRP laughed|VBD ,|, liquid|JJ ,|, alluring|JJ ,|, alarming|JJ .|. 
“|NN Oh|UH ,|, precious|JJ !|. 
He|PRP has|VBZ lovely|JJ manners|NNS ,|, Nepthys|NNP ,|, despite|IN his|PRP$ poor|JJ taste|NN in|IN hats|NNS .|. 
You|PRP may|MD leave|VB out|RP the|DT ‘|NN Lady|NNP ,|, ’|NN boy|NN .|. 
I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN wish|VBP to|TO be|VB reminded|VBN of|IN how|WRB old|JJ I|PRP actually|RB am|VBP .|. ”|NN 
A|DT wave|NN to|TO the|DT pale|JJ men|NNS brought|VBD a|DT bottle|NN of|IN red|JJ wine|NN and|CC a|DT platter|JJ of|IN grapes|NNS .|. 
“|NN Now|RB ,|, how|WRB can|MD I|PRP help|VB the|DT elegantly|RB mannered|JJ friend|NN of|IN my|PRP$ Nepthys|NNP and|CC his|PRP$ surprising|JJ young|JJ charge|NN ?|. 
I|PRP hope|VBP I|PRP can|MD start|VB by|IN offering|VBG some|DT wine|NN .|. ”|NN 

Nepthys|NNP poured|VBD out|IN wine|NN for|IN three|CD of|IN us|PRP .|. 
“|NN May|NNP I|PRP have|VBP a|DT little|JJ more|JJR of|IN what|WP you|PRP gave|VBD me|PRP before|RB ,|, Nepthys|NNP ?|. ”|NN 
I|PRP asked|VBD .|. 
“|NN I|PRP still|RB feel|VBP a|DT little|JJ woozy|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP poured|VBD a|DT dollop|NN of|IN the|DT clear|JJ liquid|NN into|IN one|CD cup|NN and|CC passed|VBD it|PRP to|TO me|PRP .|. 
The|DT wine|NN ’|NN s|VBZ rich|JJ scent|NN had|VBD a|DT touch|NN of|IN something|NN chemical|NN that|IN I|PRP recognized|VBD from|IN the|DT bar|NN ,|, but|CC it|PRP filled|VBD my|PRP$ mouth|NN and|CC sank|VBD into|IN my|PRP$ veins|NNS with|IN reassuring|JJ warmth|NN .|. 

Isis|NNP ’|NN nostrils|NNS twitched|JJ slightly|RB .|. 
“|NN You|PRP ’|NN ve|NN lost|VBD blood|NN ,|, boy|NN ?|. 
This|DT story|NN might|MD be|VB interesting|JJ .|. 
Does|VBZ it|PRP have|VBP anything|NN to|TO do|VB with|IN why|WRB your|PRP$ head|NN is|VBZ shaved|VBN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN It|PRP was|VBD part|NN of|IN the|DT price|NN for|IN this|DT girl|NN ,|, who|WP was|VBD a|DT rock|NN at|IN the|DT time|NN ,|, ”|NN explained|VBD Nepthys|NNP .|. 

“|NN I|PRP have|VBP a|DT feeling|NN that|IN she|PRP was|VBD worth|JJ the|DT trade|NN ,|, ”|NN I|PRP added|VBD .|. 
Amy|NNP ,|, still|RB holding|VBG my|PRP$ hand|NN ,|, smiled|VBD .|. 

“|NN She|PRP may|MD be|VB at|IN that|DT ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Isis|NNP ,|, gazing|VBG at|IN her|PRP .|. 
“|NN That|DT sweet|JJ ,|, small|JJ nose|NN ,|, and|CC her|PRP$ soft|JJ lips|NNS –|NN she|PRP ’|NN d|SYM kiss|NNS well|RB ,|, I|PRP should|MD think|VB ,|, if|IN gently|RB .|. 
She|PRP has|VBZ good|JJ blood|NN under|IN her|PRP$ cheeks|NNS .|. 
Good|JJ ,|, round|NN breasts|NNS ,|, too|RB ,|, even|RB though|IN they|PRP ’|NN re|NN small|JJ ,|, they|PRP suit|NN her|PRP .|. ”|NN 
Amy|NNP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN blush|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP hoped|VBD that|IN she|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN understand|VB what|WP Isis|NNP was|VBD saying|VBG .|. 

“|NN She|PRP would|MD have|VB been|VBN worth|JJ it|PRP ,|, ”|NN Nepthys|NNP interrupted|VBN ,|, “|NN if|IN this|DT fool|NN hadn|NN ’|NN t|NN accidentally|RB woken|VBN her|PRP$ up|RB before|IN we|PRP could|MD give|VB her|PRP to|TO our|PRP$ contact|NN .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD going|VBG to|TO give|VB us|PRP valuable|JJ information|NN for|IN her|PRP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Now|RB I|PRP understand|VBP why|WRB you|PRP ’|NN re|NN here|RB ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Isis|NNP .|. 
“|NN So|RB what|WP do|VBP you|PRP need|VBP to|TO know|VB ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN You|PRP know|VBP I|PRP wouldn|NN ’|NN t|NN come|VB to|TO you|PRP if|IN I|PRP could|MD get|VB this|DT information|NN another|DT way|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP apologetically|RB .|. 

“|NN Mmm|NNP ,|, ”|NN she|PRP replied|VBD .|. 
I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN tell|VB what|WP the|DT thoughtful|JJ look|NN on|IN her|PRP$ face|NN meant|VBN .|. 

“|NN I|PRP think|VBP that|IN the|DT person|NN who|WP stole|VBD the|DT girl|NN we|PRP ’|NN re|NN looking|VBG for|IN might|MD be|VB a|DT vampire|NN .|. 
Isis|NNP …|NN you|PRP know|VBP some|DT way|NN to|TO locate|VB the|DT undead|NN ,|, don|VB ’|NN t|NN you|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP do|VBP .|. 
Describe|NNP this|DT one|CD to|TO me|PRP .|. 
If|IN I|PRP know|VBP him|PRP ,|, I|PRP can|MD find|VB him|PRP .|. 
If|IN not|RB ,|, you|PRP ’|NN ll|NN have|VBP to|TO bring|VB me|PRP something|NN to|TO work|VB with|IN .|. ”|NN 

Nepthys|NNP looked|VBD at|IN me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP thought|VBD back|RB to|TO seeing|VBG the|DT man|NN in|IN the|DT hollow|JJ church|NN and|CC described|VBD his|PRP$ skin|NN ,|, his|PRP$ dark|JJ hair|NN ,|, the|DT way|NN that|IN light|NN seemed|VBD to|TO flow|VB around|IN him|PRP ,|, as|RB best|JJS as|IN I|PRP could|MD .|. 
Isis|NNP set|VBD her|PRP$ elbows|NNS in|IN the|DT fur|NN and|CC rested|VBD her|PRP$ head|NN on|IN her|PRP$ hands|NNS while|IN I|PRP spoke|VBD and|CC tried|VBD not|RB to|TO stare|VBP at|IN her|PRP$ full|JJ ,|, hanging|VBG breasts|NNS .|. 
When|WRB I|PRP had|VBD told|VBN her|PRP$ all|DT that|IN I|PRP could|MD remember|VB ,|, she|PRP blinked|VBD her|PRP$ black|JJ lashes|NNS and|CC said|VBD ,|, “|NN I|PRP remember|VBP him|PRP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN You|PRP do|VBP ?|. ”|NN 
Nepthys|NNP could|MD hardly|RB believe|VB her|PRP .|. 
“|NN That|DT ’|NN s|VBZ amazing|JJ !|. ”|NN 

“|NN It|PRP is|VBZ .|. 
I|PRP would|MD have|VB sworn|VBN to|TO you|PRP that|IN he|PRP was|VBD dead|JJ .|. 
He|PRP should|MD be|VB .|. 
I|PRP hope|VBP that|IN you|PRP can|MD do|VB a|DT better|JJR job|NN than|IN the|DT last|JJ lot|NN .|. ”|NN 
She|PRP sat|VBD up|RB ,|, running|VBG her|PRP$ hands|NNS along|IN her|PRP$ pale|JJ ,|, round|NN thighs|NNS .|. 
“|NN All|DT right|NN ,|, then|RB .|. 
Let|VB me|PRP see|VB if|IN I|PRP can|MD find|VB him|PRP .|. ”|NN 

Isis|NNP closed|VBD her|PRP$ eyes|NNS and|CC lifted|VBD her|PRP$ hands|NNS .|. 
A|DT dark|JJ glow|NN coalesced|JJ around|IN her|PRP$ palms|NNS .|. 
Amy|NNP leaned|VBD forward|RB ,|, looking|VBG amazed|VBN .|. 
The|DT glow|NN reflected|VBD on|IN her|PRP$ pink|JJ face|NN ,|, casting|VBG a|DT sickly|RB pallor|NN over|IN her|PRP$ heartbeat-strong|JJ cheeks|NNS .|. 
Tiny|JJ drops|NNS of|IN blood|NN began|VBD to|TO seep|NN out|IN of|IN Isis|NNP ’|NN palms|NNS as|IN her|PRP$ brow|NN creased|JJ .|. 
Her|PRP$ candy|NN lips|NNS twisted|VBN into|IN a|DT frown|NN .|. 
The|DT dark|JJ glow|NN grew|VBD stronger|JJR and|CC larger|JJR ,|, filling|VBG the|DT air|NN for|IN about|IN a|DT foot|NN around|IN her|PRP$ hands|NNS .|. 
In|IN her|PRP$ palms|NNS ,|, the|DT droplets|NNS of|IN blood|NN swelled|VBD into|IN small|JJ pools|NNS .|. 

The|DT dark|JJ glow|NN began|VBD to|TO flicker|NN ,|, and|CC Isis|NNP ’|NN frown|NN of|IN concentration|NN became|VBD one|CD of|IN worry|VBP .|. 
The|DT pools|NNS in|IN her|PRP$ hands|NNS grew|VBD deeper|JJR .|. 
She|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN shed|VBP a|DT bead|NN of|IN sweat|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN even|RB see|VB her|PRP$ draw|NN a|DT breath|NN ,|, but|CC the|DT glow|NN around|IN her|PRP$ hands|NNS shuddered|JJ like|IN a|DT stubborn|JJ candleflame|NN .|. 
Then|RB her|PRP$ fingers|NNS tensed|JJ and|CC her|PRP$ arms|NNS began|VBD to|TO shake|VB .|. 
The|DT blood|NN in|IN her|PRP$ palms|NNS ,|, still|RB filling|VBG up|RP ,|, began|VBD to|TO ripple|NN .|. 
Shivers|NNP swept|VBD through|IN her|PRP$ body|NN ,|, and|CC Nepthys|NNP reached|VBD out|IN to|TO touch|VB her|PRP$ but|CC I|PRP stopped|VBD him|PRP .|. 
He|PRP glanced|VBD at|IN me|PRP with|IN honest|JJ concern|NN ,|, probably|RB the|DT first|JJ honest|JJ moment|NN he|PRP ’|NN d|SYM shown|VBN me|PRP :|: ‘|NN Is|VBZ she|PRP all|DT right|NN ?|. ’|NN 
I|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN know|VB .|. 

Her|PRP$ hands|NNS twitched|JJ and|CC a|DT drop|NN of|IN blood|NN shook|VBD out|IN ,|, splashing|VBG on|IN the|DT crease|NN of|IN her|PRP$ thigh|NN and|CC hanging|VBG to|TO one|CD strand|NN of|IN the|DT black|JJ hair|NN between|IN her|PRP$ legs|NNS .|. 
She|PRP gasped|VBD and|CC the|DT dark|JJ glow|NN went|VBD out|IN ,|, taking|VBG the|DT blood|NN with|IN it|PRP in|IN a|DT flash|NN of|IN heat|NN and|CC red|JJ steam|NN .|. 
Isis|NNP collapsed|VBD on|IN the|DT fur|NN ,|, strings|NNS cut|NN .|. 

Now|RB Nepthys|NNP lunged|VBD forward|RB ,|, took|VBD her|PRP by|IN the|DT arms|NNS .|. 
“|NN Isis|NNP ,|, what|WP happened|VBD ?|. 
Are|VBP you|PRP hurt|VBD ?|. ”|NN 

She|PRP shook|VBD her|PRP$ head|NN ,|, rubbing|VBG her|PRP$ face|NN into|IN the|DT white|JJ fur|NN and|CC murmuring|VBG something|NN .|. 
“|NN What|WP did|VBD you|PRP say|VB ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD Nepthys|NNP .|. 

She|PRP rolled|VBD onto|IN her|PRP$ back|RB ,|, her|PRP$ arms|NNS crossed|VBN tightly|RB over|IN her|PRP$ chest|NN .|. 
For|IN the|DT first|JJ time|NN ,|, she|PRP looked|VBD vulnerable|JJ .|. 
When|WRB she|PRP finally|RB spoke|VBD ,|, I|PRP had|VBD to|TO lean|VB close|RB to|TO hear|VB her|PRP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP found|VBD your|PRP$ vampire|NN ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN but|CC he|PRP might|MD know|VB that|DT someone|NN ’|NN s|VBZ looking|VBG for|IN him|PRP .|. 
He|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ taken|VBN great|JJ pains|NNS to|TO keep|VB himself|PRP hidden|VBN .|. 
You|PRP should|MD look|VB for|IN him|PRP at|IN Dvorov|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ as|RB quickly|RB as|IN you|PRP can|MD .|. ”|NN 
She|PRP turned|VBD to|TO me|PRP with|IN tired|JJ sympathy|NN .|. 
“|NN I|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN see|VBP a|DT girl|NN with|IN him|PRP .|. 
Hurry|NNP ,|, though|RB ,|, and|CC you|PRP might|MD find|VB him|PRP before|IN he|PRP leaves|VBZ .|. ”|NN 
A|DT twitch|VB of|IN her|PRP$ fingers|NNS summoned|VBD her|PRP$ pale|JJ servants|NNS .|. 
“|NN One|CD of|IN these|DT will|MD lead|VB you|PRP out|RP .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP stood|VBD ,|, and|CC one|CD of|IN her|PRP$ servants|NNS took|VBD me|PRP and|CC Amy|NNP to|TO the|DT door|NN .|. 
I|PRP looked|VBD back|RB to|TO see|VB Nepthys|NNP whispering|VBG something|NN to|TO her|PRP .|. 
He|PRP stood|VBD to|TO go|VB ,|, but|CC she|PRP caught|VBD his|PRP$ sleeve|NN and|CC pulled|VBD him|PRP back|RB for|IN a|DT moment|NN .|. 
I|PRP turned|VBD back|RB to|TO the|DT door|NN .|. 
“|NN Come|VBN on|IN ,|, Amy|NNP ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN he|PRP ’|NN ll|NN be|VB along|IN soon|RB .|. ”|NN 

Nepthys|NNP caught|VBD up|RP with|IN us|PRP after|IN a|DT minute|NN and|CC walked|VBD silently|RB to|TO the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT hall|NN .|. 
When|WRB we|PRP got|VBD there|RB ,|, another|DT pale|JJ servant|NN was|VBD waiting|VBG for|IN us|PRP with|IN a|DT box|NN of|IN dark|JJ stained|JJ wood|NN .|. 
He|PRP offered|VBD it|PRP to|TO Nepthys|NNP ,|, who|WP opened|VBD the|DT box|NN :|: on|IN velvet|NN lining|NN ,|, a|DT wooden|JJ hammer|NN and|CC two|CD stakes|NNS .|. 

“|NN Mountain|NNP ash|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP .|. 
“|NN That|DT was|VBD very|RB kind|NN of|IN her|PRP .|. ”|NN 
Closing|NN the|DT box|NN ,|, he|PRP paused|VBD beside|IN the|DT open|JJ door|NN and|CC looked|VBD back|RB at|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP really|RB hope|VBP we|PRP find|VBP your|PRP$ Rachel|NNP ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
It|PRP looked|VBD like|IN he|PRP was|VBD going|VBG to|TO continue|VB ,|, but|CC then|RB he|PRP walked|VBD out|RP the|DT door|NN .|. 

“|NN I|PRP know|VBP a|DT quick|JJ way|NN to|TO Dvorov|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Nepthys|NNP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP bet|VBD he|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ kicking|VBG himself|PRP now|RB for|IN not|RB having|VBG a|DT way|NN to|TO contact|VB me|PRP .|. ”|NN 
In|IN a|DT few|JJ minutes|NNS ,|, we|PRP were|VBD back|RB to|TO the|DT first|JJ door|NN we|PRP ’|NN d|SYM knocked|VBD on|IN in|IN this|DT town|NN and|CC Dvorov|NNP himself|PRP was|VBD greeting|VBG us|PRP .|. 
The|DT pulse|NN from|IN inside|IN made|VBD the|DT building|NN sound|NN like|IN a|DT giant|JJ heart|NN .|. 

“|NN Yo|NNP ,|, my|PRP$ man|NN Nep|NNP !|. 
You|PRP got|VBD the|DT sucker|NN already|RB ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN No|DT ,|, but|CC we|PRP got|VBD a|DT tip|NN that|IN he|PRP might|MD be|VB in|IN your|PRP$ club|NN .|. 
Have|VBP you|PRP seen|VBN him|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Here|RB ,|, man|NN ?|. 
You|PRP ’|NN re|NN crazy|JJ .|. 
I|PRP haven|NN ’|NN t|NN had|VBD a|DT vampire|NN here|RB since|IN you|PRP and|CC –|NN ”|NN Nepthys|NNP shot|NN a|DT wicked|JJ look|NN at|IN him|PRP .|. 
“|NN Anyway|RB ,|, long|JJ time|NN ,|, man|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN That|DT ’|NN s|VBZ odd|JJ .|. 
Do|VBP you|PRP mind|NN if|IN we|PRP check|VBP it|PRP out|IN anyway|RB ?|. 
I|PRP have|VBP a|DT real|JJ feeling|NN that|IN he|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ in|IN here|RB somewhere|RB .|. ”|NN 

Dvorov|NNP glanced|VBD over|IN his|PRP$ shoulder|NN ,|, a|DT little|RB nervous|JJ .|. 
“|NN I|PRP guess|VBP ,|, man|NN ,|, but|CC be|VB quick|JJ .|. 
I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN want|VBP my|PRP$ customers|NNS thinkin|NN ’|NN that|DT anything|NN ’|NN s|VBZ wrong|JJ ,|, you|PRP know|VBP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Of|IN course|NN .|. 
We|PRP ’|NN ll|NN be|VB in|IN and|CC out|IN in|IN a|DT minute|NN .|. ”|NN 
Nepthys|NNP stepped|VBD in|IN and|CC Dvorov|NNP walked|VBD us|PRP towards|IN the|DT dance|NN floor|NN .|. 

“|NN So|RB did|VBD you|PRP get|VBP anything|NN out|IN of|IN the|DT guy|NN I|PRP sent|VBD you|PRP to|TO ?|. ”|NN 
Dvorov|NNP asked|VBD us|PRP .|. 

“|NN No|DT ,|, he|PRP said|VBD that|IN his|PRP$ research|NN was|VBD purely|RB academic|JJ ,|, not|RB for|IN hunters|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Bummer|NNP .|. 
I|PRP guess|VBP I|PRP probably|RB should|MD ’|NN ve|NN known|VBN ,|, though|RB .|. 
I|PRP mean|VBP ,|, he|PRP is|VBZ kinda|NN tight|JJ about|IN that|DT stuff|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN look|NN very|RB surprised|VBN .|. 
“|NN Anyway|RB ,|, this|DT is|VBZ the|DT dance|NN floor|NN ,|, man|NN .|. 
Good|JJ luck|NN .|. ”|NN 

Something|NN with|IN too|RB many|JJ arms|NNS was|VBD manning|VBG the|DT turntables|NNS above|IN the|DT crowd|NN ,|, which|WDT looked|VBD more|RBR impenetrable|JJ tonight|NN than|IN ever|RB before|RB .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP saw|VBD the|DT bar|NN on|IN the|DT other|JJ side|NN of|IN the|DT crowd|NN and|CC knew|VBD where|WRB to|TO start|VB looking|VBG .|. 

I|PRP tried|VBD to|TO slip|VB along|IN the|DT edge|NN of|IN the|DT crowd|NN .|. 
Things|NNS with|IN scales|NNS and|CC claws|NNS kept|VBD flailing|VBG against|IN me|PRP ,|, pressing|VBG me|PRP into|IN the|DT wall|NN ,|, but|CC I|PRP took|VBD a|DT breath|NN and|CC kept|VBD moving|VBG .|. 
My|PRP$ nose|NN filled|VBN with|IN a|DT reek|NN of|IN thick|JJ sweat|NN .|. 
The|DT music|NN began|VBD to|TO build|VB ,|, and|CC a|DT strobe|NN came|VBD on|IN .|. 
Somewhere|RB toward|IN the|DT center|NN of|IN the|DT dance|NN floor|NN ,|, I|PRP heard|VBD a|DT howl|NN that|WDT sent|VBD bitter|JJ winds|NNS under|IN my|PRP$ clothing|NN –|NN for|IN a|DT second|NN ,|, I|PRP was|VBD back|RB with|IN my|PRP$ family|NN in|IN Russia|NNP ,|, hiding|VBG from|IN the|DT cold|NN .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP felt|VBD a|DT tug|NN on|IN the|DT back|NN of|IN my|PRP$ shirt|NN and|CC noticed|VBD that|IN Amy|NNP was|VBD following|VBG me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP gathered|VBD her|PRP under|IN my|PRP$ arm|NN .|. 
Dvorov|NNP was|VBD somewhere|RB behind|IN me|PRP ,|, too|RB ,|, negotiating|VBG delicately|RB through|IN his|PRP$ patrons|NNS .|. 

Just|RB in|IN front|NN of|IN me|PRP ,|, a|DT massive|JJ thing|NN slammed|VBD into|IN the|DT wall|NN ,|, sending|VBG up|RP a|DT cloud|NN of|IN granite|NN dust|NN .|. 
It|PRP slumped|VBD to|TO the|DT floor|NN and|CC I|PRP realized|VBD that|IN it|PRP was|VBD a|DT werewolf|NN .|. 
Its|PRP$ haunches|NNS twitched|JJ in|IN time|NN to|TO the|DT music|NN .|. 
As|IN it|PRP started|VBD to|TO rise|VB ,|, a|DT man|NN with|IN thick|JJ ,|, scaled|VBN skin|NN stretched|VBN across|IN rippling|VBG muscles|NNS leapt|VBD on|IN him|PRP .|. 
I|PRP thought|VBD that|IN my|PRP$ odds|NNS were|VBD better|RBR on|IN the|DT dance|NN floor|NN .|. 

Holding|NNP Amy|NNP in|IN my|PRP$ arms|NNS as|IN we|PRP ducked|JJ between|IN the|DT crush|NN of|IN dancers|NNS ,|, I|PRP started|VBD to|TO wonder|VB if|IN the|DT chances|NNS of|IN finding|VBG this|DT vampire|NN were|VBD even|RB good|JJ enough|RB to|TO merit|VB this|DT .|. 
I|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN sure|JJ that|IN I|PRP could|MD survive|VB the|DT crush|NN of|IN the|DT crowd|NN .|. 
A|DT cold|JJ thing|NN with|IN countless|JJ ,|, writhing|VBG tentacles|NNS fell|VBD against|IN me|PRP ,|, thrashing|NN as|IN if|IN in|IN the|DT throes|NNS of|IN a|DT drug|NN overdose|NN ,|, tripping|VBG me|PRP and|CC clutching|VBG at|IN my|PRP$ limbs|NNS .|. 
A|DT woman|NN who|WP could|MD have|VB been|VBN an|DT elf|NN twitched|JJ and|CC jerked|VBN beside|IN me|PRP ,|, fingers|NNS trembling|VBG at|IN the|DT torn|VBN edges|NNS of|IN her|PRP$ clothing|NN .|. 
Then|RB a|DT looming|VBG shape|NN to|TO my|PRP$ right|NN fell|VBD away|RB ,|, and|CC I|PRP saw|VBD him|PRP in|IN a|DT flash|NN of|IN the|DT strobe|NN ,|, his|PRP$ black|JJ eyes|NNS staring|VBG deadly|JJ into|IN the|DT crowd|NN .|. 
The|DT creature|NN blocking|VBG my|PRP$ vision|NN moved|VBD back|RB ,|, but|CC I|PRP had|VBD seen|VBN all|DT that|IN I|PRP needed|VBD to|TO see|VB .|. 

A|DT bleeding|NN ,|, eyeless|JJ thing|NN shuddered|JJ and|CC beat|VB its|PRP$ arms|NNS against|IN me|PRP ,|, but|CC I|PRP ducked|JJ around|IN it|PRP and|CC toward|IN the|DT bar|NN .|. 
I|PRP slipped|VBD past|JJ the|DT waving|VBG monstrosity|NN that|WDT had|VBD blocked|VBN my|PRP$ view|NN before|RB ,|, a|DT mountain|NN of|IN wet|JJ ,|, veined|JJ flesh|NN ,|, and|CC had|VBD almost|RB passed|VBN through|IN the|DT crowd|NN when|WRB a|DT clawed|JJ hand|NN grabbed|VBD my|PRP$ arm|NN .|. 

It|PRP was|VBD Dvorov|NNP .|. 
He|PRP pulled|VBD my|PRP$ ear|NN down|IN to|TO his|PRP$ mouth|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP seen|VBN enough|RB ,|, man|NN ?|. ”|NN 
he|PRP shouted|VBD .|. 

“|NN Yes|UH ,|, ”|NN I|PRP called|VBN back|RB ,|, “|NN I|PRP saw|VBD him|PRP !|. 
He|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ sitting|VBG right|NN there|RB at|IN the|DT bar|NN !|. ”|NN 

Dvorov|NNP tried|VBD to|TO peek|NN through|IN the|DT crowd|NN ,|, but|CC it|PRP had|VBD shifted|VBN again|RB and|CC we|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN see|VBP a|DT thing|NN .|. 
“|NN I|PRP don|VB ’|NN t|NN think|VBP he|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ there|RB ,|, ”|NN Dvorov|NNP shouted|VBD to|TO me|PRP .|. 
“|NN It|PRP must|MD have|VB been|VBN wishful|JJ thinking|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN No|DT ,|, I|PRP saw|VBD him|PRP !|. 
I|PRP have|VBP to|TO hurry|VB ,|, too|RB !|. 
Who|WP knows|VBZ how|WRB long|JJ he|PRP ’|NN ll|NN stick|NN around|RP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Listen|VB ,|, man|NN ,|, he|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ not|RB there|RB !|. 
I|PRP ’|NN m|NN telling|VBG you|PRP ,|, it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ not|RB even|RB worth|JJ checking|VBG the|DT bar|NN !|. ”|NN 
I|PRP turned|VBD to|TO keep|VB going|VBG ,|, but|CC he|PRP caught|VBD my|PRP$ arm|NN again|RB .|. 
“|NN Don|NNP ’|NN t|NN do|VBP this|DT ,|, kid|NN !|. 
It|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ a|DT dumb|JJ idea|NN .|. 
Even|RB if|IN you|PRP did|VBD find|VB this|DT vampire|NN cat|NN ,|, he|PRP ’|NN d|SYM tear|VB you|PRP apart|RB !|. 
If|IN he|PRP got|VBD your|PRP$ girl|NN ,|, she|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ probably|RB dead|JJ !|. ”|NN 
I|PRP shook|VBD him|PRP off|RP and|CC squeezed|VBN between|IN two|CD dancing|NN nymphs|NNS ,|, getting|VBG almost|RB to|TO the|DT edge|NN of|IN the|DT dance|NN floor|NN .|. 

Suddenly|RB ,|, Amy|NNP screamed|VBD .|. 
I|PRP whirled|JJ around|IN and|CC threw|VBD up|RP my|PRP$ arm|NN just|RB in|IN time|NN to|TO knock|VB Dvorov|NNP away|RB .|. 
His|PRP$ eyes|NNS were|VBD glowing|JJ red|NN ,|, and|CC he|PRP had|VBD bared|JJ a|DT set|NN of|IN fangs|NNS that|WDT could|MD probably|RB take|VB my|PRP$ hand|NN off|RP .|. 
The|DT dancers|NNS near|IN us|PRP tried|VBD to|TO clear|VB some|DT space|NN .|. 
He|PRP shot|VBD back|RB up|RB ,|, hardly|RB touching|VBG the|DT ground|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP kicked|VBD him|PRP back|RB .|. 
He|PRP jumped|VBD at|IN my|PRP$ arm|NN while|IN I|PRP was|VBD still|RB off-balance|JJ ,|, and|CC I|PRP felt|VBD the|DT surge|NN of|IN adrenaline|NN that|WDT comes|VBZ right|NN when|WRB your|PRP$ body|NN realizes|VBZ that|IN it|PRP ’|NN s|VBZ too|RB late|JJ to|TO save|VB itself|PRP .|. 

A|DT heavy|JJ thing|NN hit|VBD my|PRP$ arm|NN with|IN a|DT thump|NN and|CC knocked|VBD me|PRP back|RB against|IN someone|NN with|IN rough|JJ paws|NNS who|WP held|VBD me|PRP up|RP .|. 
On|IN the|DT floor|NN was|VBD Dvorov|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ head|NN ,|, separated|VBN from|IN his|PRP$ body|NN by|IN several|JJ feet|NNS and|CC a|DT growing|VBG puddle|NN of|IN dark|JJ blood|NN .|. 
Nepthys|NNP stood|VBD over|IN him|PRP with|IN a|DT blue|JJ sword|NN in|IN his|PRP$ hand|NN .|. 
It|PRP flashed|VBD in|IN the|DT strobe|NN where|WRB it|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN streaked|VBD with|IN Dvorov|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ blood|NN .|. 

“|NN He|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN the|DT only|RB one|CD with|IN a|DT secret|JJ or|CC two|CD ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD by|IN way|NN of|IN explanation|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP spotted|VBD our|PRP$ boy|NN ,|, didn|NN ’|NN t|NN you|PRP ?|. 
I|PRP bet|VBD his|PRP$ hide-out|JJ is|VBZ nearby|JJ ,|, too|RB .|. 
Let|VB ’|NN s|VBZ hurry|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP wiped|VBD off|IN the|DT sword|NN and|CC sheathed|JJ it|PRP in|IN a|DT scabbard|NN now|RB belted|JJ to|TO his|PRP$ hip|NN .|. 
The|DT crowd|NN parted|VBD for|IN us|PRP .|. 

The|DT vampire|NN glanced|VBD up|RB when|WRB he|PRP saw|VBD the|DT crowd|NN split|NN and|CC his|PRP$ eyes|NNS flashed|VBD when|WRB he|PRP noticed|VBD us|PRP .|. 
In|IN a|DT blink|NN of|IN the|DT strobe|NN light|JJ ,|, he|PRP was|VBD on|IN his|PRP$ feet|NNS and|CC dashing|VBG from|IN the|DT room|NN .|. 
“|NN Come|VBN on|IN !|. ”|NN 
shouted|VBD Nepthys|NNP .|. 

We|PRP chased|VBD after|IN him|PRP ,|, Amy|NNP keeping|VBG up|RP valiantly|RB behind|IN us|PRP .|. 
He|PRP bashed|JJ up|RP a|DT set|NN of|IN stairs|NNS set|VBN into|IN the|DT side|NN of|IN the|DT wall|NN ,|, and|CC we|PRP chased|VBD up|RB after|IN him|PRP ,|, heading|VBG up|RP a|DT huge|JJ staircase|NN that|WDT seemed|VBD to|TO go|VB up|RP for|IN more|JJR stories|NNS than|IN the|DT building|NN could|MD have|VB held|VBN .|. 
Luckily|NNP ,|, the|DT vampire|NN turned|VBD off|RP after|IN three|CD stories|NNS .|. 
He|PRP ran|VBD down|RP a|DT hallway|NN and|CC slipped|VBD behind|IN one|CD of|IN the|DT doors|NNS ,|, but|CC Nepthys|NNP was|VBD close|VB behind|IN him|PRP and|CC left|VBD it|PRP open|JJ for|IN me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP called|VBD out|IN to|TO Amy|NNP to|TO shut|VB the|DT door|NN in|IN case|NN the|DT vampire|NN had|VBD any|DT friends|NNS who|WP might|MD be|VB trying|VBG to|TO follow|VB us|PRP .|. 
Inside|IN was|VBD a|DT dark|JJ room|NN that|WDT looked|VBD like|IN a|DT storage|NN space|NN for|IN DJ|NNP equipment|NN .|. 
Nepthys|NNP urged|VBD me|PRP on|IN from|IN the|DT back|NN of|IN the|DT room|NN ,|, then|RB made|VBD a|DT turn|NN out|RP of|IN sight|NN .|. 

When|WRB I|PRP came|VBD to|TO the|DT door|NN at|IN the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT room|NN ,|, it|PRP looked|VBD like|IN it|PRP had|VBD been|VBN torn|VBN off|RP its|PRP$ hinges|NNS .|. 
I|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN imagine|VB that|IN Nepthys|NNP had|VBD done|VBN it|PRP ,|, and|CC it|PRP wasn|NN ’|NN t|NN without|IN alarm|NN that|IN I|PRP ran|VBD after|IN him|PRP .|. 

A|DT black|JJ hallway|NN opened|VBD into|IN a|DT space|NN like|IN a|DT cathedral|NN .|. 
The|DT vault|NN rose|VBD into|IN obscurity|NN above|IN me|PRP ,|, and|CC a|DT massive|JJ rose|VBD window|NN stood|VBD ahead|RB of|IN me|PRP .|. 
The|DT panes|NNS looked|VBD dyed|VBN black|JJ ,|, and|CC only|RB a|DT few|JJ cold|JJ beams|VBZ slipped|VBN through|IN the|DT filter|NN .|. 
Footsteps|NNP echoed|VBD through|IN the|DT stone|NN chamber|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT sound|NN reflected|VBD back|RB to|TO me|PRP from|IN everywhere|RB .|. 
I|PRP couldn|NN ’|NN t|NN tell|VB how|WRB many|JJ people|NNS were|VBD running|VBG ,|, much|RB less|JJR where|WRB they|PRP were|VBD .|. 
On|IN the|DT steps|NNS in|IN front|NN of|IN the|DT altar|NN ,|, I|PRP saw|VBD pale|JJ forms|NNS and|CC realized|VBD that|IN they|PRP were|VBD Rachel|NNP and|CC two|CD other|JJ women|NNS .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP heard|VBD Nepthys|NNP shout|NN ,|, “|NN Nathan|NNP !|. 
Behind|IN you|PRP !|. ”|NN 
I|PRP whirled|JJ and|CC dropped|VBD in|IN time|NN to|TO see|VB the|DT vampire|NN shoot|NN over|IN my|PRP$ head|NN ,|, leaping|VBG like|IN a|DT panther|NN .|. 
He|PRP smashed|VBD into|IN the|DT pews|NNS behind|IN me|PRP and|CC I|PRP heard|VBD him|PRP leap|VBP across|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT row|NN .|. 
There|EX was|VBD Nepthys|NNP ,|, on|IN the|DT other|JJ side|NN of|IN the|DT pews|NNS ,|, holding|VBG the|DT wooden|JJ box|NN in|IN his|PRP$ hand|NN .|. 
He|PRP tossed|VBD it|PRP to|TO me|PRP ,|, and|CC I|PRP just|RB barely|RB had|VBD it|PRP open|JJ before|IN I|PRP saw|VBD the|DT vampire|NN again|RB ,|, turning|VBG to|TO face|VB me|PRP .|. 

I|PRP pulled|VBD out|RP the|DT hammer|NN and|CC one|CD of|IN the|DT stakes|NNS .|. 
He|PRP leapt|VBD over|IN the|DT pews|NNS ,|, soaring|VBG like|IN a|DT grasshopper|NN ,|, and|CC drew|VBD a|DT gleaming|VBG knife|NN in|IN midair|NN .|. 
I|PRP dodged|VBD ,|, but|CC he|PRP tossed|VBD it|PRP ,|, and|CC I|PRP held|VBD the|DT box|NN in|IN front|NN of|IN my|PRP$ face|NN .|. 
The|DT blade|NN lodged|VBN in|IN the|DT wood|NN ,|, its|PRP$ silver|NN point|NN penetrating|VBG the|DT velvet|NN and|CC nearly|RB reaching|VBG my|PRP$ skin|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ arms|NNS shook|VBD from|IN the|DT force|NN of|IN his|PRP$ throw|VB .|. 
Then|RB he|PRP landed|VBD heavy|JJ beside|IN me|PRP and|CC I|PRP scrambled|VBD to|TO stand|VB .|. 
His|PRP$ first|JJ move|NN pulled|VBD out|RP the|DT dagger|NN ,|, almost|RB wrenching|JJ my|PRP$ arms|NNS from|IN their|PRP$ sockets|NNS as|IN I|PRP held|VBD on|IN to|TO the|DT box|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT second|RB shattered|VBD the|DT box|NN with|IN a|DT crushing|VBG punch|NN that|WDT sent|VBD me|PRP reeling|VBG backwards|JJ .|. 
I|PRP dropped|VBD the|DT splinters|NNS and|CC the|DT broken|VBN second|JJ stake|NN and|CC raised|VBD my|PRP$ hammer|NN ,|, ready|JJ to|TO drive|VB the|DT ash|NN spike|NN into|IN his|PRP$ heart|NN .|. 
Behind|IN him|PRP ,|, I|PRP saw|VBD Nepthys|NNP running|VBG between|IN the|DT pews|NNS .|. 
I|PRP braced|VBD my|PRP$ legs|NNS against|IN the|DT stone|NN floor|NN and|CC he|PRP was|VBD on|IN me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP raised|VBD the|DT stake|NN ;|: he|PRP drew|VBD back|RP the|DT dagger|NN for|IN a|DT slash|NN that|WDT could|MD doubtless|RB open|VB my|PRP$ neck|NN from|IN throat|NN to|TO spine|NN .|. 
The|DT stake|NN went|VBD down|RB ,|, there|EX was|VBD a|DT blur|VB ,|, and|CC then|RB my|PRP$ hands|NNS were|VBD empty|JJ and|CC I|PRP felt|VBD pain|NN under|IN my|PRP$ jaw|NN .|. 

Two|CD points|NNS of|IN fire|NN opened|VBD in|IN my|PRP$ throat|NN for|IN an|DT instant|NN ,|, then|RB all|DT went|VBD numb|JJ .|. 
Taste|NN ,|, hearing|NN and|CC touch|NN became|VBD a|DT single|JJ blur|VB ,|, and|CC I|PRP do|VBP not|RB know|VB if|IN my|PRP$ eyes|NNS were|VBD open|JJ .|. 
My|PRP$ mind|NN began|VBD to|TO dissipate|VB ,|, but|CC then|RB I|PRP felt|VBD the|DT pain|NN withdraw|VB and|CC a|DT lifeless|JJ voice|NN said|VBD ,|, “|NN This|DT one|CD ’|NN s|VBZ blood|NN isn|NN ’|NN t|NN worth|JJ drinking|NN .|. ”|NN 
Hands|NNP closed|VBD on|IN my|PRP$ neck|NN and|CC I|PRP felt|VBD my|PRP$ spine|NN crack|NN .|. 

I|PRP must|MD have|VB fallen|VBN to|TO the|DT floor|NN then|RB .|. 
I|PRP could|MD perceive|VBP Nepthys|NNP ’|NN sword|NN flashing|VBG over|IN me|PRP ,|, and|CC I|PRP heard|VBD steel|NN crack|NN ,|, then|RB bone|NN .|. 
I|PRP thought|VBD I|PRP heard|VBD Rachel|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ voice|NN blearily|RB calling|VBG for|IN me|PRP .|. 
Then|RB one|CD set|NN of|IN footsteps|NNS began|VBD walking|VBG toward|IN the|DT altar|NN .|. 

I|PRP was|VBD content|NN to|TO let|VB myself|PRP drift|VB away|RB ,|, and|CC I|PRP had|VBD almost|RB forgotten|VBN the|DT body|NN lying|VBG with|IN broken|VBN neck|NN on|IN the|DT cathedral|NN ’|NN s|VBZ hard|JJ tiles|NNS when|WRB I|PRP felt|VBD a|DT warm|JJ touch|NN on|IN its|PRP$ cheek|NN .|. 
A|DT girl|NN ’|NN s|VBZ voice|NN ,|, soft|JJ and|CC almost|RB recognizable|JJ ,|, spoke|VBD ,|, “|NN Nathan|NNP .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP felt|VBD my|PRP$ head|NN turn|NN and|CC something|NN in|IN my|PRP$ neck|NN reconnected|JJ .|. 
Then|RB my|PRP$ eyes|NNS opened|VBD and|CC Amy|NNP handed|VBD me|PRP the|DT hammer|NN and|CC stake|VB .|. 

I|PRP stood|VBD and|CC turned|VBD toward|IN the|DT altar|NN .|. 
The|DT vampire|NN was|VBD walking|VBG just|RB steps|VBZ ahead|RB of|IN me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP stepped|VBD up|RB behind|IN him|PRP and|CC raised|VBD my|PRP$ hands|NNS ,|, which|WDT almost|RB seemed|VBD to|TO be|VB glowing|JJ .|. 
Then|RB the|DT stake|NN came|VBD down|RB into|IN his|PRP$ back|RB and|CC one|CD ,|, two|CD ,|, three|CD strikes|NNS with|IN the|DT hammer|NN drove|VBD it|PRP in|IN .|. 
The|DT vampire|NN fell|VBD forward|RB and|CC blood|NN began|VBD to|TO flow|VB from|IN his|PRP$ mouth|NN .|. 

Behind|IN me|PRP ,|, Amy|NNP was|VBD kneeling|VBG beside|IN Nepthys|NNP ,|, whose|WP$ arm|NN and|CC rib|NN cage|NN were|VBD knitting|VBG back|RB together|RB like|IN a|DT wooden|JJ toy|NN that|WDT falls|VBZ apart|RB when|WRB its|PRP$ string|NN is|VBZ released|VBN but|CC draws|VBZ itself|PRP together|RB at|IN a|DT slight|JJ tug|NN .|. 
I|PRP pulled|VBD the|DT vial|NN of|IN liquid|JJ that|IN he|PRP ’|NN d|SYM been|VBN giving|VBG me|PRP from|IN his|PRP$ pocket|NN and|CC ran|VBD to|TO the|DT altar|NN .|. 

Rachel|NNP ,|, her|PRP$ clothes|NNS torn|VBN and|CC her|PRP$ face|NN drawn|VBN ,|, looked|VBD like|IN she|PRP might|MD cry|VB when|WRB she|PRP saw|VBD me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP pulled|VBD her|PRP into|IN my|PRP$ arms|NNS and|CC she|PRP tried|VBD to|TO put|VB hers|PRP around|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN My|PRP$ fuckin|NN ’|NN hero|NN ,|, ”|NN she|PRP whispered|VBN .|. 


