Susannah heard a long, harsh moan, so full of sorrow, her heart contracted in sympathy. It took a long, long moment before she could move and think, before she realized those sounds came from her own throat.
She held out a trembling hand. "No, please, I'll do anything. Just don't eat him."
He cocked his head, and her stomach turned at that reptilian movement from a being that held her precious Killer in his claws. "Anything, human?"
"Yes."
"You'll act like a breeder should, take me to your dwelling, look after my wound? Sponge me down when the fever comes?"
"I'll do it. I'll do anything, just let him go. Please." She knew she babbled, but she couldn't think, she was so afraid for her little dog. "I'll go get a ladder and help you out of the hole." She started to run to the shed, but stopped and turned when she heard a grinding, grating sound be-hind her. As if someone was tearing iron like paper. She slapped her hands against her cheeks, not believing what her eyes saw.