Melissa went at once to Lorn, hushing his startled questions, and went back into the bedroom with him. For a moment, Art sat alone in the dark kitchen, feeling helpless; then, angry with himself for once more remaining passive, he felt his way to the sideboard, where Melissa had earlier been slicing meat. He found the nine-inch blade she’d been using. Holding the knife in his left hand like a short sword—a very short sword, he couldn’t help thinking—he followed Marc outside.
Clouds obscured the stars, and the trees tossed and hissed in the wind that had risen after sunset. Art stood on the porch and peered into the darkness, uneasily aware that ten men could be standing almost close enough to touch and he wouldn’t be able to see them, wondering what he hoped to accomplish. In fact, he tho
