Julian nodded, knowing she could see the gesture from the corner of her eye. Up span the coin in a blur of silver, down it blurred before landing on his palm with a clap. Up and down, up and down in endless repetition. That was key here, the mindless repetition.
“My name is Julian,” he said finally. “I am like you and am looking specifically for people like you and me. I can help you.”
“Help me how?” There was a laugh in her voice, a scoff it used to be called. “I am a monster.”
“No you're not,” Julian said calmly, mind distracted by the sounds of the coin; spinning, clap.
Her head turning in his direction; she was pretty, make no question of that. Long, wavy black hair, cafe- au-lait, creamy skin, intelligent brown eyes. She had that exotic mixture of the islands to her; the Mediterra
