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I gazed at RV’s peaceful expression as he knelt in his death pose He’d left his pain behind at last, for ever I was glad for him If he’d lived, he’d have had to carry around the ue with the vampaneze Maybe he was better off this way
"And now there’s two &ua fewGannen Harst was still out for the count, and although Vancha was alive, he was lyingfitfully, unable to defend hi up my sword My left hand wouldn’t work and my system was maybe a h strength left for one last fight First though ¨C Vancha I paused over hi blood and his face was creased with pain He tried to speak but words wouldn’t form
As I hovered uncertainly by the side ofto leave him like this, Evanna crossed to his side, knelt and exarave when she looked up "It is not fatal," she said softly "He will live"
"Thank you," Idirectly behind me "She didn’t tell you to cheer you up, silly boy It was a warning Vancha won’t die for the tiht You’re alone The final hunter Unless you turn tail and run, it’s down to you and Steve now If Steve doesn’t die, death will come within the next few minutes for you !"
I looked over reen Wellington boots His face was bright with bloodthirsty glee "If death comes," I said shortly, "it will be a far more welcome companion than you"
Mr Tiny chuckled, then stepped away to ht Both waited for me to lance &urinned painfully at me and winked ¨C then faced Steve
He backed away froe I trailed after hi h this could have been Vancha’s battle, a part ofthat it would come down to this Steve and I were opposite sides of a coin, linked since childhood, first by friendship, then hatred It was only fitting that the final confrontation should fall to the two of us
I entered the cool darkness of the underpass It took my eyes a few seconds to adjust When they did, I saw Steve waiting, right eye twitching nervously The river gurgled softly beside us, the only noise except for our panting and chattering teeth
"There is where we settle ood a place as any," I replied
Steve raised his left paluely make out the shape of the pink cross he’d carved into his flesh eighteen years before "Reht, I swore I’d kill you and Creepy Crepsley"
"You’re halfway there," I noted dryly "You hted"