Iwaited. I beckoned the twins to sit next to me. They came. They sat. Wewatched. We knew. I looked at each of them; each looked at mesympathetically. ...hey would have been embarrassed had they not known meas they had come to know me.It was time for action."Rikki, stop what you're doing. I want you to go into the woods andscavenge kindling for our fire tonight. Belinda," she jumped when Imustered her, "you go with him and make sure he, I mean, neither of youget lost. Brianna, you and I are going. ? Silence hasalways been your ally, your device. You stand over her watching herbody rise and fall with each and every weary breath.? Yours are in time.? The sheets invading her, fondling and pettingher as if alive savagely covering only those spots that you must devour.? A leg, an arm, and her neck left exposed tothe night? Exposed to you? You are at home in the darkness? this particular darkness?and her hair, flowing and shimmering down her spine to the gentle curve of herback that you have. .. " Tim?" Yeah. Look, are you okay? I felt something was wrong last night and I've been... " I'm fine, and Suzi's fine too, thanks to you. Where are you?" What do you mean thanks to me?" I mean if you hadn't let me link with you for a few moments last night... " Link with you? Joey, I didn't link with you." You didn't?" I said a little confused. "But you said you felt something was wrong... " I did. What happened? Why did you need me to link with you?" Long story, but everything's okay now.. "Stone called me because he was concerned that you have been dealing with a demon bride." My lord, I think the common understanding of demon brides is misleading. They can be caring and loving." Ah, I'll take that as a yes then. I think you wil find my understanding is more nuanced than common lore, although I too have my limitations."Why don't you ride with me to Brenhaven. I'd like to have a nice long chat, then you will have some decisions to make."By this point Lucinda was alarmed. Badger.