beating of a drum in an oddly familiar tune.
It was the song by the people that proclaimed things, the one about walking hundreds of miles. He
remembered how beautiful Frankie’s smile had been that night and how magical it was to see him so
happy as they danced together like fools.
Frankie’s hands had felt so good in his, strong and gentle, and Snod could still hear how loudly he had
smacked them against the most tender parts of his body as they made love. The recollection of
Frankie’s moans made him shiver even now, every gorgeous sound more lovely than the last, his soul
cringing as he realized there was a very good chance he would never hear them again.
Even worse than that, he might not hear Frankie tell him that he loved him.
Frankie, please... I love you...
Obe...?
There.
Frankie was close, somewhere not far from the city. Even through the bond, he sounded so sad. There
was so much pain and misery that it took Snod’s breath away, and he desperately locked onto it even
as it made him ache. He could see a house sitting in a large field with an oak tree in the yard.
“I know where he is,” Snod gasped, not even realizing he had been crying until he felt hot tears
rolling down his cheeks.
“Let’s go,” Ephraim urged, already heading back to the door.
“I’m coming, too,” Rees barked, straightening out his dress and stomping after him.
“Rees.” Snod grimaced. He very clearly remembered what a disaster the desk heist had been.
“You’ll just get in the way,” Ephraim said with a revolted leer.
“Ha! Me? Get in your way? Please, darling. You’re gonna be the one getting all in the way of my giant
dick swinging around, you fucking washed-out Schwarzenegger-looking prick,” Rees shot back. “I’m
fucking coming.”
Ephraim actually laughed. He grinned at Snod, saying cheerfully, “I like him.”
“Fine,” Snod groaned, nodding his head. “You can come. But you’re going to do exactly as we say for
your own damn safety.” He looked at Lorenzo, asking briskly, “Are you ready?”
Lorenzo gulped. “Oh, yeah. Sure. Totally ready to go fight an ancient super crazy vampire with my
lame tiny robots. Yup. Ready.”
“Come on,” Athaliah said as he hurried to the door. “We need to hurry.”
