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And as that name Mother Rose had ed at ashe’d read She didn’t push at it; instead she relaxed her thoughts and let the memory float to the top

Thanatos One of two aspects of death from ancient Greek culture Her frown deepened because as she reod The one who ca And yet all these people were heavily armed Lilah decided that whoever this "Carter" person was, she was glad she was not in his shoes

Below, Brother Si else that he wanted to say, or perhaps feared to say

Mother Rose saw this and touched his face "What is it?"

"A few of the scouts have sighted a, uees" He spoke as if prying the words froaret"

Everyone gasped and took involuntary steps away fro to strike hieha him effortlessly until the reaper stood on the very tips of his shoes

"We do not speak that narowled Brother Siiant squeezed his hand

Mother Rose leaned past the giant "Are you sure, brother?" she asked in a voice that was as cold and hard as a knife blade

"Y-yes," croaked Brother Silanced at Mother Rose, who studied the choking reaper with narrowed eyes She touched the giant’s aring iant released Brother Si as he fought to drag in a breath The giant, Alexi, picked up his sledgehammer and returned to his station just behind Mother Rose

The woman reached out and touched Brother Simon’s cheek "Tell me," she said

"I--I have it from five separate scouts, your holiness," stammered Brother Simon, his throat still raw "The description s" As he said this, he touched the pattern of flowers tattooed on his scalp "Wild roses and thorns"

"Sister Margaret is dead," said Mother Rose in a harsh whisper "My daughter abandoned her faod She runs with heretics and blaspheift of darkness is not for her I hope that her flesh lives on forever Lost, alone, and damned"

The reaper placed his forehead on the dirt by Mother Rose’s feet "Holiness, forgive this foolish sinner for causing you pain" His body shook with sobs, and Lilah could not tell if his tears were froret, or fear

The scene below held for a er, and then Mother Rose bent to the man, kissed his head, and drew hi the truth, beloved Brother Sie that the darkness waits to enfold you"

Brother Simon’s mumbled reply was too faint for Lilah to hear He faded back into the crowd A few of the other reapers touched hihtly on the shoulder

Lilah sneered at this When the others thought that he was going to be punished, they’d all stepped back and disowned hiiveness, they crowded around to share in the blessing he’d been given That was not faith, not as Lilah defined it It was cowardice These reapers, dangerous as they may be, were ruled by fear as e faith

Lilah hoped she would not need the knowledge, but she filed it away nonetheless

A female reaper bowed Mother Rose said, "Speak freely, Sister Caitlyn"

"Before I heard the darkness call me--"

"All praise the darkness," intoned the others

"--I lived in Red Rock, near Las Vegas I worked as a hunter for a group of refugees, and I know the desert and these woods as well as anyone There are gan I’ve seen, I think it’s clear that the, uh, person who used to be your daughter is leading Carter’s people along those trails Rurace of the church If so, then she must know every one of these trails There are some that aren’t easy to spot"

"You think she can help the heretics slip past us?" asked Mother Rose, one eyebrow arched

Sister Caitlyn flushed, but she lifted her chin "I know I could do it, and there are some experienced hunters with Carter The desert is not as empty as people think There are always places to hide"

Mother Rose nodded "Thank you, Sister Caitlyn Your service to our godwoman bobbed her head "Holiness, if the person as your daughter is leading Carter’s people south, then I think we have to accept that she’s told theasped in horror

19

"DON’T MOVE," WHISPERED NIX

Benny had no intention ofHe wasn’t sure he actually could

The lion stood in the tall grass, head raised, wind ruffling its thick olden eyes were fixed on the no sound Even the birds in the trees had been stilled by the presence of this great cat

Nix clutched Eve to her chest, and the little girl moaned softly in her sleep; a defensive, troubled

"Really wasn’t planning to," murmured Benny

"God," said Nix in a hoarse whisper, "there’s another one!"

Benny turned to his right and there, just beyond the bristlecone tree, stood another lion A big female Easily three hundred and fifty pounds Tawny and lithe, her whole body rippled with muscular tension

Benny opened his --but before he could, there was movement to his left A third lion

And beyond that, another

Benny felt icy sweat run in lines down his back He had his katana slung over his shoulder, and Chong wore his bokken in a sling at his hip And Nix had her pistol