Sam told Taylor. “Edilio and Dekka to the gas station. Brianna on the streets. We’re going to deal with Zil.” For once, Taylor did not argue. She bounced away. He took a deep breath of cold night air and tried to get his head together. Zil. Had to stop him. But all he could see was Drake. Drake in the shadows. Drake behind bushes and trees. Drake with his whip hand. Drake, not Zil. He squeezed his eyes shut. It would be different this time. Back then he’d had no choice but to let Drake take him. No choice but to stand there and endure…and endure… He noticed Howard coming up behind him. It surprised him a little, until he realized Howard would see it as an opportunity to use Orc for profit. “Howard? What kind of shape is Orc in?” Howard shrugged. “Passed out, dead drunk.” Sam cursed under his breath. “See if you can get him up.” He tossed out the orders on automatic. Not needing to think about it. But he still felt like he was in a dream. Not quite focusing. Drake.
