He hadn't to turn around to know it was Billy, the school bully, who was targeting him already. Bully's friends were laughing as Jim tried to ignore h...s mocking. "Hey, I'm talking to you," Billy said more angry and a moment later Jim felt how he was pushed forward. He struggled for balance for a moment before he felt over and knocked against the item in front of him. When he felt to the ground, he could see the vase, he just had examined, tumble and fall, almost in slow motion, from the table. The man was intimidating, as he could have easily killed him with his bare hands if Artie ordered him to do so. But what concerned him more was what the man represented indirectly. If he bought a gun and did away with Artie, the same shadowy figure would always be after him. He would always have to protect himself against creatures like that—not run from them exactly, but always shield and protect himself against them. And after he kills Artie, or after he kills the shadowy figure, how many. But Dean also found himself reviewing the mental images of Taylor, Caitie, Kaylynn, Jessica and Chrysta. Already, he was forming some ideas about their personalities, but he would be rating them as professionals. Caitie’s photos had been the most explicit. Kaylynn posed in a baby doll outfit, looking spoiled. Taylor looked like she swam every day, in great shape, but without the gym muscle bulges that some athletic women acquire. Jessica, perhaps an African-American, was an artist and Chrysta. Suswa cut a finger and signed the document in blood, then Huber cut his finger and made his mark at the indicated place. He smelled a musky magic, and the scent clung to his fingertips. Suswa then directed the man to go to the village and fetch Shuko to the castle as his first service. So Huber went down and found his beloved. When she was alone with him, he struck her from behind, knocking her cold, then quickly carried her to the castle. Suswa had him bind the maiden to a tabletop. "Now.