The Return of Nightfall by Reichert Mickey Zucker

Author:Reichert, Mickey Zucker
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: PENGUIN group

Crouched on a stone ledge that jutted into a pitch-dark alleyway, Nightfall watched the door to the He-Ain’t-Here. Though he kept his eyes trained on the entrance, his other senses alerted him to every nearby movement. An occasional stray dog or rat nosed through the leavings, seeking whatever scraps had not gone home with the workers. Only once a human form glided across the alleyway. He seemed not to notice Nightfall lurking in the shadows, though he did leave quickly. Nightfall knew the game too well: feign ignorance, never look directly at a skulking predator, but always know his exact location.

Nightfall had seen Danyal go into the tavern, accompanied by a trio of rowdy sailors. That had not seemed like a good time to accost the boy in any guise. Now, he waited patiently, searching for the opportunity to catch the cabin boy alone. It seemed more likely than not that his patience would be rewarded, given the smaller capacity of a child’s bladder and the tendency for adults to ply a young man with drinks for the entertainment value it might supply.

The moon rose higher, and the sky became sprinkled with stars. Nightfall began concocting an alternate plan, one that might allow him to slip onto The Sharius, where Danyal undoubtedly spent most of his time. The boy would not have the money for other shelter and was already accustomed to the rock and pitch of the ship at mooring. Then, just as Nightfall began considering costumes, Danyal slipped from the tavern and trotted toward the neighboring alley that served as the preferred relieving place of the He-Ain’t-Here’s patrons.

Quiet as the darkness, Nightfall slipped from his hiding place and into the other alley. He crept toward the boy as Danyal splashed the narrow, packed dirt threadway. Sneaking ever closer, he watched as Danyal finished his business and readjusted his clothing with an awkwardness that displayed the alcoholic content of at least one drink. An unexpected noise, even as soft and gentle as a whisper, might startle Danyal into a scream, so Nightfall pounced like a predator. One arm whipped around Danyal’s head, a hand clamped over his mouth to muffle any sound. With the other, he caught the boy around the middle and dragged him deeper into the alley.

Danyal struggled wildly, trying to twist. Shouts gagged to silence emerged warm against Nightfall’s hand, and he could feel the boy’s mouth open and close as he searched for flesh to bite.

“Be still,” Nightfall said directly into the cabin boy’s ear. “It’s me, Danyal. Sudian. And I’m not going to hurt you.”

Danyal froze in position, his body dead weight in Nightfall’s arms.

“I’m sorry I had to grab you, but it’s not safe for anyone else to see me. Do you understand?”

Danyal nodded his head as well as he could.

“Please don’t scream.” Nightfall resisted the urge to ask the boy if he would comply. Whether or not he intended to do so, the answer would be “yes.” Prepared to run, Nightfall released Danyal.

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