he nodded , pausing at the half-open front door . following the path of the snake . the thought just echoed in her mind , the thought turning from a mere whisper to the chant of a super bowl stadium crowd . this time , there was no rush . 'i should make you wait until christmas morning , ' he said , 'but i 'm sick of watching this . ' he is the chief of my order and the head of the council . she leaned her head back into the cushion and looked up , way up . 