the wolves that had caught fire and fled into the forest had set it alight in several places . `` cade , '' he said in the same easy voice , `` i 'd like you to meet my date . i only stayed alive out of mischief . ' `` you used to watch me very carefully when you were a child . i think my curse is getting stronger the closer we get to the gate . i back away , then down again , and this time i relax my throat muscles and take him deeper . 