“Because the Shrike Cult believes that mankind somehow created the thing,” I said, although I knew that King Billy knew everything I knew and more. “Do they know how to kill it?” he asked. “Not that I know of. He’s supposed to be immortal, beyond time.” “A god?” I hesitated. “Not really,” I said at last. “More like one of the universe’s worst nightmares come to life. Sort of like the Grim Reaper, but with a penchant for sticking souls on a giant thorn tree…while the people’s souls are still in their bodies.”
