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‘Well now,’ said Feromas, ‘do you intend on avenging our grandson?’

Damian scratched his jowly cheek and shrugged. “Eh. I’d rather not. Unless you feel strongly about it.”

‘Doesn’t matter to me. But without Geoffrey, there is not much reason to stay in Brighton--or in Atreya, for that matter.’

“Perhaps it’s a good time to leave the country,” he said.

‘Abolish has started moving here, too. It’d be annoying if they found us. And at that point, we’d have to leave anyway, as well as cover our tracks.’

“Ho-hum...”

‘What are you thinking?’

“This whole family business thing hasn’t really worked out for us, has it?”

‘That’s because you have trouble sticking to plans. You let your family run wild and do whatever they want. You could have fostered greatness in them, but now they are just normal people whom you barely ever see.’

“You’re right. Of course, you’re right. And I got a bit too comfortable in that community home, didn’t I?”

‘Ugh, don’t remind me. I almost released your soul because of that fucking place.’

“I’m gonna miss that pudding. And the board games. Oh, and that Nurse Beatrix.” He thought a moment. “Hey, you wanna go back there?”

‘No, goddammit! I’ll kill you!’

“Fine...” He stretched his neck. “I guess I’ll go gather the kids up, then.”

‘Really? They are not going to just abandon their lives and leave with you.’

“Who said I’d give them a choice?”

And abruptly, a broad grin split the reaper’s face. ‘Now that is more like it.’ He eyed Samuel Goffe’s body. ‘Don’t forget to scrap Geoffrey for parts, too.’

“Right.” Damian turned to the coroner. “I need a body bag for this one.”

The man blinked at him. “E-excuse me?”

“I’m taking--what was it, Mr. Goffe? I’m taking him with me.”