Can't Buy Me Blood (The Hipposync Archives Book 4) by DC Farmer

Author:DC Farmer [Farmer, DC]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: wyrmwood Books
Published: 2024-09-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NEW THAMESWICK, FW

Simla DiFrance faced his audience in the basement at ICHOR with a heavy heart. A sea of powdered white faces stared back at him expectantly, waiting for him to speak. Though he had done this many times before, stood in front of the covered mirror to address the brave souls who fought their cravings daily, it had never been with such despondency. Gone was the excitement he’d felt on setting out on the venture. An excitement he could vividly recall the day he’d first put forward his plans with anticipation coursing through his veins like white water.

Emancipation, he’d called it. A new existence in a place where they could live safely in society. A stigma-free existence where the Glamour was so strong they could dispense with the embarrassing powdered faces and the ridiculous clothing and demonstrate how the control and discipline they followed would keep everyone safe. The visions had shown him the way. Shown them all what was possible. And his followers believed because they could see it for themselves.

But now someone or something was threatening to ruin it all.

DiFrance cleared his throat and began. ‘You will all be aware of the spate of dreadful killings that are terrorising our brethren, those who eschew rehabilitation. The constabulary’s visit here and their questions were unpleasant, but I have it on good authority that they are no further forward in finding the perpetrator. You will also be aware of the intelligence we received about unwelcome activity from our friends in the human world and that our colleague Digsbow needed to be warned. In a new and sinister twist, I regret to tell you that the warnings came too late. Cocket Digsbow has also fallen victim.’

A hiss skittered over the audience. DiFrance held up his hands.

‘Details are as yet few and unformed. Suffice to say that Digsbow’s mutilated body was found yesterday in his apartment, on the street outside, and, inexplicably, up the chimney.’

Les Reasonables fell silent.

DiFrance’s tone remained grave. ‘I know how shocking this must be for you all since some of you, if not all of you, knew Cocket personally. But it is vital we understand the ramifications this has for our purpose. Cocket was our sole distributor. Our link with the human world. His demise means that this vital and invaluable link has been severed. It means that we will be unable to forward any more totems to our distribution source. We must hope that what we have achieved thus far will carry us through and we will succeed in our goal. Remember, it will take only one human to open the door that will lead to our emancipation.’

‘Will the visions continue?’ A lone voice spoke up from the crowd.

DiFrance’s chest constricted. The desperation and hope in that voice was almost palpable.

‘There is no reason for them not to. Patience, my friends, is all that is required. Though we had a loyal ally in Cocket Digsbow, I will strive to find another, equally staunch supporter of the cause to carry us on to glory.

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