His hunter metabolism wakes him fully in an instant, but he takes his time opening his eyes. He can hear muttered conversation from far away, the hum of something electrical near his right side. There are people in the room, and all have taken dust. They have a particular feel to them, a heat and intensity that normal people lack.

He finds himself wondering what one of them would taste like.

"Awake at last? Come now, darling. I'm as aware of you as you are of ...