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back door, then returned to flop back on the sofa. Deke came in carrying a paper-wrapped bundle. He
gestured to Kull, who picked up a remote and killed the TV's sound.
"Ah, Eli. So glad you could make it."
"What's up, Deke?" Eli tried to sound cool, casual.
"This." Deke tossed the parcel to Eli. "Open it."
Eli pulled away the brown paper and unfolded a denim vest, with embroidery on the back showing a
sword-wielding goblin and big, bloodred letters reading ORKZ MC. His eyes widened.
"I'm a full member?"
"Almost," said Deke, smiling. "Nazgul, the chalice, please."
Nazgul rose and gave the little pipe to Deke, who offered it to Eli.
"Here, Eli."
"Is this the initiation?"
"If you want to call it that," said Deke. "The first half, anyway. It's only about giving you things you'll
like."
Deke stepped to one side to show Jodi leaning in the doorway. Her jacket was unzipped and pulled
back to leave her shoulders bare. The black sports bra underneath showed the tops of her breasts and
the taut smooth skin of her midriff. She smiled dreamily at Eli.
"Jodi?" Eli couldn't believe she was here. "You okay?"
Kurgan snickered. "She's just havin' fun with Deke's charm and half a Roofie." His smile erased at a
sharp look from Deke.
Eli swung to face Deke. "What's wrong with her?"
"Nothing. We just had a talk, and discussed what she wants," said Deke smoothly. "Right now, she
wants you. She's fascinated with you. Isn't that what you want, Eli?"
Eli stared and stood silent for a moment, torn more than he wanted to admit. Behind Deke, Jodi
straightened in the doorway and frowned in a sleepy way. Her eyes seemed to focus on Eli for the first
time, and she lost some of her dreaming look. Her eyes met Eli's and widened, and she shook her head
slowly.
Something clicked in Eli's mind, and several things came clear.
"Itis what you want, isn't it?" said Deke, staring at Eli. Behind Deke, Jodi edged to the wall.
Eli offered the vest back to Deke. "Thanks, I appreciate it, but I'm . . . I'm not sure yet. Maybe we
should just leave." Everyone was looking at Eli as Jodi moved closer to the wall.
"You really should reconsider," said Deke. There was no velvet in his voice now. "Have a smoke. Think
about it." Around Eli, Orkz got unsteadily to their feet. "I insist."
Jodi pulled a shield from the wall and swung it into Deke's back. The blow was clumsy, but still
staggered him.
"Run, Eli!" she yelled.
Nazgul pulled a black-and-gray automatic pistol from his vest. Jodi swung the shield down onto his
forearm and the gun dropped.
"Go!" shouted Jodi. "Let's go!"
Eli wasted a splintered instant, then spun and sprinted out the door, bowling over Kull as he ran.
* * *
Jodi didn't reach the door before Kurgan grabbed her. She heard the Nighthawk fire up and the sound of
spraying gravel.
"We can catch 'im!" said Kull, scrambling up.
"You're in no shape to chase anyone," spat Deke. "Besides, from what I know of his people and ways,
he won't go to the authorities. He'll be back."
"Well," Kurgan leered at Jodi, "maybe we can have a party until then."
"Later." Deke's flat stare made the Ork drop his eyes. "Take her to the workshop. We'll wait for him to
play hero."
* * *
Eli opened the screen door carefully, wincing at every tiny creak and pop of the springs. He'd spent his
life in this house and needed no lights. The room smelled of apple pie. Moving by touch and memory he
glided to the pantry, pulled the old shotgun from where it leaned in the corner, and found its sectioned
canvas case and a box of shells on the shelf above. Setting the case and shells on the table, he freed the
Winchester's slide and barrel. A quick twist separated the gun into two pieces, which buckled into the
case and made a package just over two feet long. A handful of shells went into the pocket of his denim
vest.
"It is late for hunting," said Asa, barely above a whisper. Eli jumped and the case's end thumped on the
table.
"Don't try to stop me, Papa. They have Jodi. I'm not with the Orkz anymore."
"Eli, this is not . . ." But Eli was already out the door. As Asa reached the yard, Eli's bike snarled to life,
and he was off before Asa could take a few steps.
* * *
"Something's happening, Asa," said Gunter's voice from the porch shadows. The elf was in denim and
leather, and looked nervous. "I'll try to get word to the Court, but I don't know if it will be in time."
"I don't think much time we have," said Asa. "As a last resort I would call the sheriff, but there is no
telephone here. Please, Gunter, help him. He is my son, and he needs an angel."
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