The Tiyanak was still present, hovering at the edge of the work with that hungry interest he always wore.
He had been asked to watch for qi deviation and any anomaly. Radeon could see the same things, everyone knew that, but Radeon did not gamble on certainty when a second set of eyes cost him nothing.
The Tiyanak decided to make it cost someone else instead.
He gathered a few ghosts and fetched a stretcher. With a few linen cloths thrown over the frame, it looked like they carried a body.
Then he ran down the stairs with the ghosts in tow, tears shining in his eyes like polished coins.
Upstairs the operation had already been going for an hour.
Gauge Point waited below and worked himself raw with fear. His legs fidgeted. His hands were slick.
He kept wiping his forehead even though the air was cold.
Footsteps. Fast. Many. He snapped his head toward the sound.
