TER

y, a lady with a fond

stopped short. A man blocked her way. Another

o, de

led. And somehow she knew she'd remember the sound

me here, dearie.

ested the other.

s closer to m

. Fre

her heart plummeted. She knew this pair-or at least she knew of them. Th

share, eh,

s head. Beside him, Freddie grinned, displaying yellow, rotting teeth. Ugly Vile-looking creatures they were, both o

ee

d now Harry blocked her way. He was smaller

up. By God, she w

f terror trick led along her spine. He

a sound constitution. She would not scream. Indeed, what good would it

ehind a wall of bravado. "What d

streets were poorly lit and dark, but as if to aid him, a full moon slid from behind a cloud. He tilted her face to the

ough to help shield her face; the crown was deep enough that she was able to stuff her mane of thick, golden tresses within. As an extra precaution, she u

cent woman?" Oh, a ridiculous question, that! This pair would prey upon any and all! "Can you not see I'm soon to give birt

e," Harry said with a wink. "And we be glad

with a great flouri

a smile. He gave a nod. "What's t

e. Her hands had plunged protectively into the pockets of her gown. Her mind sprang to the knife tuck

. "Nothing," she said quickly. "Now leave m

eddie's nimble fingers found the pouch with her precious stash of coins

exploded i

s if they left her dead on the street. Heedless of the danger, she reacted without thinking, striking after Harry. Freddie had already disa

ut all at once he had her by the throat. "Whore!" He squeezed; she could fee

ged...it bore no resemblance to a scream. She raked a

ed at the side

gers. A grating laugh seared the air. The world blackened. Desperately she fought against it. Her fingertips cl

, as if they would pop from their sockets. Little did she realize the surprise on h

illed me!" he

lled away. As she pushed herself to her knees, she saw the knife, still in her hand. Bloo

beyond her knees. With a frantic cry of relief,

roan. Her heart gave a gr

oice in her mind

d forward, skidding headlong across damp, slippery stone. Searing fire burned through her, like a red-hot poker, a

aware of Harry staggering to his feet and shuffli

neath her cheek, the cobblestones were rough and wet; she could feel the dampness seeping through her gown. Her teeth began to chatter. She had been cold before,

ama's last hours. She had whispered of the

nd cried. I don't want to die, not like

choked back a sob- she knew th

d. No one to care. For this was St. Giles, home