Thief of Time - LeJean

A figure rose up behind it. One hand grabbed it by the hair and jerked its head back. The other was thrust over its open mouth.

The Auditor struggled for a moment, and then went rigid. And then disintegrated, tiny particles spinning away and disappearing into nothing. For a moment the last few handfuls tried to form, in the air, the shape of a small cowled figure. Then it too was dragged apart, with a faint scream that was heard via the hairs on the back of the neck.

Susan glared at the figure in front of her. 'You're a... you can't be a... what are you?' she demanded.

The figure was silent. This might have been because thick cloth covered its nose and mouth. Heavy gloves encased its hands. And this was odd, because most of the rest of it was wearing a sequinned evening gown. And a mink stole. And a knapsack. And a huge picture hat with enough feathers to make three rare species totally extinct.

The figure rummaged in the knapsack, and then thrust out a piece of dark brown paper, as if proffering holy writ. Lobsang took it with care.

'It says here "Higgs & Meakins Luxury Assortment",' he said. 'Caramel Crunch, Hazelnut Surprise... They're chocolates?'

Susan opened her hand and looked at the crushed Strawberry Whirl she had picked up. She gave the figure a careful look.

'How did you know that would work?' she said.

'Please! You have nothing to fear from me,' said the muffled voice through the bandages. 'I'm down to the ones with the nuts in now, and they don't melt very quickly.'

'Sorry?' said Lobsang. 'You just killed an Auditor with a chocolate?'

'My last Orange Creme, yes. We are exposed here. Come with me.'

'An Auditor...' Susan breathed. 'You're an Auditor too. Aren't you? Why should I trust you?'

'There isn't anyone else.’

'But you are one of them,' said Susan. 'I can tell, even under all that... that stuff!'

'I was one of them,' said Lady LeJean. 'Now I rather think I'm one of me.’

***

The Thief of Time - p275-276