... you are my instrument ... riding the winds to cassandra 's altar ... surreal already there , crying ... cassandra there , angry ... so much blood ... his hands covered with jaenelle 's blood ... descending into the abyss ... falling , screaming ... a child who was n't a child ... a narrow bed with straps to tie down hands and feet ... a sumptuous bed with silk sheets ... the dark altar 's cold stone ... black candles ... scented candles ... a child screaming ... his tongue licking a tiny spiral horn ... his body pinning hers to cold stone while she fought and screamed ... begging her to forgive him ... but what had he done ?