red spirals crawl down the back of her neck . `` i guess we are , '' the dark man said . the only built-in feature in the room is what was probably an electric fireplace . he 'd deliberately kept his flames low because he had n't wanted to melt the weapon . `` it 's a thought , '' she said , teeth flashing in a brief , reluctant smile . a chill ran up my spine , and i could n't swallow . he didnt bother to tell soul his discovery . 