I'm already better . . . stronger . . . I don't have to use the cane to walk, he told himself. The darkness was almost complete. There were intermittent lanterns, though many of them were guttering. Rephaim picked up his pace. He'd refill and light the lanterns after he stuffed himself. He'd even drink the bags of blood he'd found one of the refrigerators filled with, though it held no special appeal to him. His body needed fuel to mend, just as the lanterns needed fuel to burn. Fighting against the agony each movement caused, Rephaim followed the curve in the tunnel and finally entered the kitchen. He opened the first refrigerator and was pulling a bag of sliced ham from it when he felt the cold blade of a knife against his lower back. One move I don't like, birdboy, and I cut your spinal cord in half. That will kill you dead, won't it? Rephaim went absolutely still.

Yes, that would kill me. He looks part dead to me anyway, said another female voice. Yeah, that wing is totally f**ked up. He don't look like he can do shit to us, said a male. The knife didn't move from his spine. Others underestimating us is what got us here. So we don't ever underestimate anyone. Got it? said the voice that belonged to the knife. Yeah, sorry, Nicole. I got it. So, birdboy, here's how we're gonna play this: I'm gonna step back and you're gonna turn around--real slow. Don't get any smart ideas. My knife won't be on you, but Kurtis and Starr both have guns. Make a wrong move and you'll be just as dead as if I'd cut through your spine. The point of the knife pressed hard enough against Rephaim to draw a bead of blood. He smells wrong! said the male voice that belonged to Kurtis. He ain't even good eatin'. Nicole ignored him.

You understand me, birdboy? I do. The knife pressure left his spine and Rephaim heard the shuffling noise of moving feet. Turn around. Rephaim did as he was told and found himself facing three fledglings. The red crescent moons on their foreheads identified them as part of the Red One's flock. But he knew instantly that though they, too, were red, they were as different from Stevie Rae as was the moon from the sun. He gave Kurtis, a huge male fledgling, and Starr, an ordinary-looking, light-haired girl, cursory glances, though they were holding handguns up and pointed at him. It was Nicole on whom he focused his attention. She was obviously the leader. She was also the one who'd drawn his blood, something Rephaim would never forget. She was a small fledgling with long dark hair and large eyes so brown they appeared black. Rephaim looked into those eyes and felt a moment of complete shock--Neferet was there! In this fledgling child's eyes lurked the distinctive darkness and intelligence that Rephaim had seen so many times in the Tsi Sgili's gaze.

That recognition shocked the Raven Mocker so deeply that for a moment he could only stare, his single thought was Does Father know she has attained the ability to project herself? Damn! He looks like he seen a ghost, Kurtis said, the gun bobbing up and down with his chuckles. I thought you said you didn't know any of the Raven Mockers, said Starr, her tone clearly suspicious. Nicole blinked, and the familiar shade of Neferet was gone, leaving Rephaim to wonder if he'd imagined the presence. No. Rephaim didn't imagine things. Neferet had been present, even if only for an instant, within the fledgling. I've never seen one of these things before in my life. Nicole turned to Starr, though she still kept her gaze trained on Rephaim. Are you saying you think I'm a liar? Nicole hadn't raised her voice, but Rephaim, who was accustomed to being in the presence of power and danger, recognized that this partic u lar fledgling seethed with an aggression that was barely controlled. Starr obviously recognized it, too, as she instantly backed down. No, no, no. I didn't mean anything like that. It's just weird that he freaked when he saw you. That was weird, Nicole said smoothly. And maybe we should ask him why. So, birdboy, what's with you being down here in our territory? Rephaim noted that Nicole hadn't actually asked him the question she'd implied she was going to ask. Rephaim, he said, willing strength into his voice. My name is Rephaim. All three fledglings' eyes widened, as if surprised he would actually have a name. He sounds almost normal, Starr said. He's anything but normal, and you better remember that, Ni-cole snapped. Answer my question, Rephaim. I escaped into the tunnels after being wounded by a warrior from the House of Night, he said truthfully. Rephaim's instincts, which had served him well for centuries, told him to remain silent about Stevie Rae, that even though these must be the rogue red fledglings she had been protecting, they were not truly of her flock, nor did they follow her. The tunnel between here and the abbey collapsed, said Nicole. It was open when I entered it. Nicole took a step toward him and sniffed the air. You smell of Stevie Rae. Rephaim made a dismissive gesture with his good hand. I reek of the bed I slept in. He cocked his head to the side, as if confused by what she'd said.