“It’s customary for guests to use the front door.” His voice
comes from a chair facing the fireplace, its back to me. “And to knock and wait
to be invited in before entering. Those are proper manners.”
The chair slowly turns to face me. He does an admirable job
hiding the surprise on his face, but my keen eyes still catch it. “It’s been a
long time, Thylacine.”
“It has.”
He runs his hand down the largest scar on his face. “I must
say, I’m surprised you’d dare step foot within a hundred miles of me.”
I see his eye twitch and take the cue to duck. The
three-headed beast’s jaw brushes across my right shoulder, its slobber wetting
my skin. My left hand is around its throats, and I pin it to the ground before
it can take a breath. It claws at me, but my skin is like leather. I feel no
pain.
“I’m rather fond of that beast. I’d appreciate you letting
it live.”
“You should have thought of that before sicking it on me.”
“Cerberus. Heel!” It stops struggling. I slowly release its
neck but am ready to crush its windpipe should it come at me again. Fortunately
for its master, it stays down.
“So what brings you all the way out to my chateau. I doubt
this is a social call.”
“I need your help.”
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