Jiraiya started begging, and my heart thudded. “It’s not what it…” Isaiah growled, low and feral. “Go ahead, lie before you die. Do you think the old gods will welcome you for it?” There was a strangled gasp as if Jiraiya were choking. “Why do you care so much, anyway?” “I don’t like when people touch what belongs to me.” Belong to him? My mind reeled, fear sweeping through me. Jiraiya’s scream died, and somehow, it was worse that I didn’t see what had happened. Everything was horribly silent, but then I heard the squeak of boots wading through blood as he drew near.
