Ben sat in the other armchair and he and Lyell both faced me. Ben's fangs had finally retracted, which made me feel better. I'd curled up on the couch, needing to rest. I was still reeling from the events of the past hour – the name-calling, the screaming, the stress – it was more than I was ready to deal with after a week of captivity. Ben had given me Tylenol to counteract the headache and in conjunction with caffeine, I was beginning to feel more human.
The two men spoke quietly together, getting to know one another. They traded questions and answers, giving me time to settle after my angry outburst. Lyell seemed to be gaining confidence in Ben's integrity; Ben had spoken at length about the Tine Kiss' lifestyle and his employment as a social worker, which had impressed Lyell. Ben had
