And she was fast. She wrapped herself around him, and though she was lithe and small-boned her weight further bowed his back and almost brought a cry of renewed pain from him. Before it escaped he caught it in his throat. She stared into his eyes and lifted her eyebrows as if expecting—or asking—him to beg for mercy. Matthew was determined not to do so, for what would it accomplish? He was not afraid of death—not very much, at least—but his impulse at the moment was to weep … not for himself, but for the waste of the beautiful Berry Grigsby who was now doomed to a further and irreversible descent.

Lizzie’s claws were at his sides. They picked and probed at his ribs, but they did not yet draw blood. Matthew closed his eyes. He could shake his body from side to side, but this would simply increase his pain and it certainly would not shake her off. He felt her breath on his face … and then her tongue as she licked his cheeks.

Up she climbed upon him, licking at his arms and then at his hands trapped in the manacles. It was just a matter of time now before the claws truly went to work, and what good had it been to try to save the life of Dippen Nack? The good man had made a blunder and the bad man had been right. It was just a matter of time, as the drum beat on and the whistle shrilled.

She came back down. Her claws clamped to his sides, but again not yet drawing blood.

He braced for the hideous pain.

But suddenly he felt the pressure of the blades ease.

He opened his eyes.

RakeHell Lizzie was still staring into his face, but something about her had changed. He didn’t know what it was, or why, but something … her face … a softening … a departure of the desire to murder, just like that in an instant.

Abruptly, the nude girl climbed off him and left him swinging in his chains.

“Samson,” she said up to the gallery, “pardon me, but I believe you’re making a business mistake.” The music ceased, on a note of bewilderment.

“Oh? What mistake would that be?”

Lizzie walked away from Matthew, through the blood and insides of two butchered men, and looked up at Lash with her gloved claws crossed in front of her chest. “They came here to get the book back for Professor Fell. The professor must want it very badly. Why not give him a chance to make a bid?”

“What?” Victor had nearly screamed it. “That’s outrageous!”

“I protest against this delay!” Krakowski said, standing up. “Kill the man and let us continue our own business!”

“Damn right!” Merda chimed in. He was on his feet as well, but it hardly made a difference. “Lash, you’ve got all the bids you’re getting!”