Peoplelovedaspectacle.Deaththrilledthem.Theywhisperedinhushedtones,feigneddisgust,pretendedfear—thenraospreadwild,exaggeratedstories.

        Lucrouched,siftingthroughdampleaves,whenashadowfelcrosshim.Hefigureditwasoheoldercops,anotherrookiehazingritual,thesametiredprankspasseddownthroughgeions.

        Hepretetonotice,thensuddenlywhippedaroundwithaloudshout.

        Noseniordetectivejumped.

        Buthedid.

        Alittlegirl,maybeten,stoodthere.Skinny,tangledbckhair,naked,herskinstreakedwithdirtanddriedblood.Shelookedlesslikeachildthansomeferalthingdraggedoutofanightmare.

        Herwideeyesstaredathim,eerilyclearyetcarryingastrange,ulingaura,likeawitch''''scrystalballglowingwithghostlylight.

        Thatwasthemomenthissurprisearrived.

        ***

        ThegirlwastemporarilypLu''''shomeasafosterchild.HenamedherReya.

        Luwasn''''tgoodwithhewordhadslippedoutbecausethevictimatthecrimesehadbeencalledReya.

        Aftersolong,hecouldnolongerrecallthatwoman''''sfullitdidn''''tmatter—nowhehadhisownReya.

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