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tonight when you dismissed the other man.' It was impossible to differentiate between human and Taloner unless their claws were exposed. Even the dead man's blood on her hands smelt human.

      `What are you? And what are those?' Max's hand shook as he pointed.

      Shahkara held her hands out, to show her talons, spurring his backward retreat. `I will not hurt you.'

      `Because you're a girl?'

      `Because I am a half-blood. Half-human.'

      `Half-human? And half-?

      `Half-Taloner,' she said.

      `Taloner? I thought they were a Celtic myth.'

      `You have never been attacked by a coven?'

      Max waved at Jack's bloody body. `Do you think I'd still be alive if I had?'

      `But Taloners exist in your world. Do they live here in secret?'

      `Well, obviously. Because until ten minutes ago I had no idea they were real. But you talk as if you're not...' he frowned. `As if you're not from my world! That's why you've been acting all weird! Who are you really? Where are you from?'

      `It is safer not to say.'

      `Great! That excuse again! Good to know that this,' he waved at the corpse, `was the safe alternative!'

      `I did not know the Taloners were targeting you. There must be a price on your head. You must disappear.'

      `That's ridiculous! It's my final month of school and I have exams. If I don't take them, I don't finish senior.'

      `You would prefer to be an educated dead man?'

      `Dad will be furious.'

      `Your father cannot help you.'

      `He can hire me twelve bodyguards and a bulletproof car!'

      `One of your bodyguards was a Taloner, Max.'

      His eyes widened. `A Taloner must've killed Ethan! His heart was ripped out! But no, there's a serial killer out there. Ethan was a victim of the Rip`n'Stitch! And others have been found with missing hearts just like him.'

      He paled and suspicion flickered in his eyes. `Were they all Taloner victims? Why am I a target? If you're a Taloner, how can I trust you?' Max must have realised he was babbling as he stopped, and just stared at her.

      `I saved your life.'

      `Yes, but you still have those... those talons.'

      `They are the price I pay for this blood, which also gives me enhanced strength and sensory perception.'

      `That's how you broke my fall from the balcony — you're stronger than a human.'

      `Precisely.'

      `You came here for a reason though, didn't you? Why did you stop to save me?'

      `I saw you falling to probable death as I arrived on your world. Is that not reason enough?'

      Max shook his head. `Who knew Darryn's place was the door to another world.'

      `I will not hurt you, Max. I abhor Taloners and will do everything in my power to destroy them.'

      `But you are them, at least, one of them.'

      `I was raised human. I do not eat human hearts.'

      `They eat hearts? That's why they rip them out?'

      `It is their most pure energy source and prolongs their life, often for centuries.'

      `What about you?'

      Jada's dead body, his blood on her sheets, stirred her conscience, but she bit her lip. She could not risk revealing her past. `I only consume animals.' Even if she still hungered for humans.

      `Is your shoulder okay?' His fingers brushed her collarbone, sending ripples of awareness through her. He blinked. `There's no wound! But I saw him knife you! You were bleeding!'

      `My body heals rapidly.'

      `That's an understatement!'

      `It is another Taloner trait.'

      His hand jerked away. `I need a drink. What do we do with this?' Jack's decapitated head stared up at them.

      `Do not concern yourself. The body will crumble to dust.'

      `Like vampires after they've been staked?'

      `Where do you think that myth stemmed from?'

      `But a corpse turning to dust defies every science known to man.'

      `Taloners are not scientific beings. They were born of demon magic, conjured by the dark arts of Balor. When they die, they become dust.'

      `What about you?'

      Dread gripped her heart like a fistful of nails. Her mission depended on activating the death lantern and destroying all Taloners simultaneously. Even as a half-blood, she would not survive the blast. She had to die to ensure no Taloners remained. `You ask too many questions.'

      `But you can't die like that. You saved my life twice tonight. You're far more an angel than a demon.'

      `I am no heavenly creature, but I will help you escape. You must pack food, clothes and currency — whatever you can carry comfortably.'

      `Huh? I can't leave! I told you: I have exams next week.'

      `Taloners are trying to kill you. They know where you live. If you stay here, you risk death.'

      `But you have talons — you could protect me.'

      `I have a pressing mission and must depart within a handful of days. I cannot protect you.'

      `Then stay here until you go. You said you needed food and shelter. You can be my über-guard and, in exchange, I will, um—'

      `Help me interpret this world?'

      `Sure, whatever you need: history, stats, maps. I'll even buy you an iPhone.'

      An iPhone? `Agreed. We will remain here until I am prepared for my mission but we must safeguard your house. How did Jack gain entry?'

      `He has a key, like all my bodyguards. I have six of them. Well, five now. Bodyguards, not keys. I have more keys than that. Sorry, I'll shut up.'

      `I would be grateful if you did. I need to think.'

      `You've got to admit, all this fighting and the dead body, it's no wonder I'm blurting stuff out off the top of my head.'

      She waited.

      He closed his mouth.

      The building was large. There would be numerous access points. `How many entries are there into this house?'

      `Five, six counting the garage.'

      `We will block them with heavy furniture. A Taloner may still enter, but not silently. I will sleep here,' she nodded at the long padded seat, `where I will hear any intrusion. Come. We will shift the furniture now.' She strode towards the front door.

      `What about your hands?'

      She glanced at her bloody palms. `What is your concern?'

      `Don't you want to wash first?'

      Did he genuinely mean that or was he attempting humour? `Are you asking me to wash my hands so you can take clean furniture with you to the afterlife?'

      A muscle jerked at his jaw. `When you put it like that, bloodied hands are fine. A little bit of finger paint always adds to a home's décor.'

      `You can procure me a jug and basin once we are secure.'

      `That's what you use on your world?' He flanked her as they walked. `A basin?'

      `Naturally we have baths but they are time consuming to fill when there are no servants on hand.'

      The flecks in his tawny eyes darkened. `You really

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