Execution (Escape from Furnace, #5)

by Alexander Gordon Smith

The stranger’s hand dropped away from me. He stepped toward Furnace, cradling the boy’s head against his chest almost tenderly. DO YOU ACCEPT MY GIFT, ALFRED? Furnace’s head lolled against the stranger’s body. He was almost gone. Another minute maybe and death would claim him. I was amazed that he had lasted as long as he had, his body sliced open by his own mother’s blade. You killed my brother, Furnace whispered. I’ll kill you for that. THE ONLY WAY TO KILL ME IS TO ACCEPT MY OFFER. Furnace lifted his head as best he could, his eyes glinting at the thought of retribution. The stranger continued to stroke his hair with his branchlike fingers, the same cooing purr vibrating from his throat.