Chapter 13

Seen from a distance, it looks like it hurts horribly. But under normal conditions it hardly hurts at all. It feels like a tickle and little more.

“Dad!” Mirko whispered, distressed, although he obeyed and stayed on his back, huddled with his sister. “What are you doing? We have to escape!”

My voice was already much thicker and hoarse when I responded:

“He’s faster than us, Mirko. But don’t be afraid. I’m here, and I won’t let anything bad happen to you or your sister. Just stay under the bridge and don’t come out.”

Changing was no different than other times, except for the part where I felt a horrible pull on my torso, which left me breathless for a moment. Intense, excruciating pain. The air was filled with the essence of fresh blood. I had just screwed up how little healing progress the bullet wounds had made, but there was no time to feel sorry for that. I concentrated my effort on listening, as the change occurred.

“Dad, no!” Mirko begged me, betwe