I picked it up in my headset. The voice of the Nachtmar was deep, thick, hoarse, and every bit as chilling as his physical presence. “You will not escape me that easily, Chosen…For I know what you are now. I can see the chains of destiny you wear. I will take your chains. I will taste your fear and I will grow strong. My essence lingers upon you. There is no escape for you.”

If he concentrated his energies on me, then he wouldn’t be able to expend them against the other Hunters. “Come and get me, alp.”

“A word. There are many words. That is the wrong word.” The Nachtmar hissed. “Your learned humans were fools. They believed I am less than I am. They did not capture me as they captured my children. They did not take me from this place. I allowed them to take me from this place. They did not use me. I used them. I am king here. I have been and always will be. They did not give me thought. I have tasted the fear of Chosen before. I took their words and made them mine. I took their words and told new stories. When dogs feasted upon the bodies in the streets of Bactria, I was there. The harvesters of flesh allowed me to harvest their dreams. I am and always will be. This is my finest vessel yet, and I will not allow you to take him from me until the superior vessel is ripe.”

I was developing a rapidly sinking feeling that this thing wasn’t an ordinary alp.

“I have travelled the dark paths of your mind world. Many of your paths are closed to me by the Others. Your mind is a cage. It contains stories that only wish to be told, but humans fear the freedom of the words. I will break through your mind cage. I will taste your fear. I will take your words and tell your story. I will take your chains. You will become a harvester of the flesh on my behalf. In my name. For I am and always will be.”

The chopper shook as we were buffeted with winds that were stupidly dangerous to be flying in. “Skippy, are you seeing anything up there that looks like Earth yet?”

“Pretty lights,” Skippy answered over the rattling and squealing warning sirens.

Great. That was either Las Vegas or Hell. It really could go either way right then and I wouldn’t have been surprised in the least. “Just get us there.”

The voice on the radio changed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Pitt. It would appear that I have underestimated our foe…”

“Management? Is that you?”