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"You don’t even knohat you’re talking about"

"The offer stands," said Andrew, "but the clock’s ticking oncould see doubt in the er, too Much more of that

"Go to hell," said Carter

Brother Andrew sighed "So be it," he said "Such is the mercy of Thanatos that even with blasphemy on your lips the darkness welcomes you"

There was a sudden flash of silver froered forward His finger jerked the trigger of the shotgun, and the hollow click told the story the reaper had already guessed The weapon fell from Carter’s hands as he thu sahat had struck the man

An arrow

It had flown out of the woods behind where Chong crouched and buried itself between Carter’s shoulders

"No," Carter gasped

But the ansas a dreadful "yes" as a second arrow punched into Carter’s back not a finger’s breadth froed to say was, "Eve"

Then he fell forward

Despite everything To cried, "No!"

The reaper with the scythe turned his head sharply toward the spot where Chong crouched

And smiled

32

BENNY AND NIX REACTED IN THE SAME MOMENT: SHE PULLED HER pistol and Benny drew his sword The reaper took a small step toward the no chances

"Stay back, mister," warned Benny

Theeyes "Nyx," he said

Nix started "What? How do you know my name?"

"Are you her?" asked the man The smallest of smiles painted his face

"Um"

"Have you come to share with us?" asked the reaper "Have you come to help your children share the darkness with the heretics?"

"Uhhh," Benny said, "what?"

"Have you given your gift to h he was pretty sure he did not want an answer to the question

The ift is there?"

"Benny," Nix warned "Let’s get out of here"

The man took another step toward thee, but Benny kept his sword in a solid guard, ready to defend--or attack "What beautiful children you are," said the h an hourglass It made Benny’s skin crawl "You co weapons froift of darkness with the heretics"

"No," Nix said under her breath Her face had gone white, and even her freckles were pale The only color was the pink line of the scar that ran fro Eve’s fa faintly "Eve died in theof the world, wrapped in the withered arms of Adaates of Eden Or so says the false bible"

"Ooo-kay," said Benny softly "That’s great Exactly e need while we’re running for our lives Big help Thanks, s on his chest "Do you not know me, holy one? I auardian of your flock It was through me that you opened the first red mouth in the flesh of the infidel It ith my hand, my blades, that you let the darkness flow froness"

He turned and gestured toward the northern stretch of the woods, where the sound of the quads could still be heard faintly

"We are abroad in this blighted land to offer priceless gifts to all the scattered children of a false and fallen god," said Saint John "We have been faithful and dutiful in our ift of darkness to so manyah, so many Soon ill sweep these lands clear of the last blaspheray wanderers The children of flesh are called to join with the eternal darkness Such is the will of the one true god, Thanatos--all praise to his darkness"

Benny and Nix just stared at him Benny had no idea how to respond

"How do you know ether atch the silence and the darkness wrap the world in the garments of purity and eternal peace Tell me, holy one, isthat why you are here? Is that why you have taken physical for your sacred reapers?"

"Areyou crazy?" asked Benny reasonably "Is that it? I just want to know so I can find some useful place to stand in this conversation"

"Look," said Nix, "I don’t kno you know my name or who you think we are, but we are not a part of this None of it We’re just a couple of kids traveling through We only nored her words He took oneinto their eyes "You are not with Carter, I can see that much You say that you are children, and yet when I look into your eyes I see that darkness has already taken hold of you You are angels of the darkness, even if you are still dressed like children of the heretics You are reapers of the scattered fields I can see it in your eyes You have given the gift of darkness to others Many others"