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Dragging herself back into the Tavern that evening, Echo did indeed make an attempt to follow the advice of Ourus. She asked everyone in the room to say nothing to Static but "Give Echo's baby back to her." The tactic might have worked, had enough people cared to help her ... but only a few joined her in the effort: Hellscreem, Minion, and Emeraude. Most of those in the room behaved as if they knew nothing of the stolen child. Echo, her thoughts sensitized to anything concerning herself, or Vezhan, or Blood Demon, overheard Shadow thinking, "Echo should just skin the bastard," and knew that Minion felt the same way. Demon Moon asked Echo whether Blood would be able to regenerate. Echo replied with some anger: "WHY should I sacrifice Blood's health, or his life, to get back my own baby that I never should have lost?" Demon Moon only shrugged. Suddenly Static announced: "ATTENTION all!! You are all invited to attend Blood Demon's skinning in a few minutes ... as long as you are able to fit into the room! Come one ... come all!!" Echo stared at Arthur. "What!?" As Static nodded to the room in parting, then dematerialized, Echo received a telepathic communication and went dead white... Blood, determined to regain his son's freedom, had agreed to Static's terms.
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