Fresco reacted first, already on alert. Even so, he was almost too late to save his brother.
This kid was even more violent than the one he encountered in the alley, if that was possible. The sedative patch still clung to his lip, like a shining square of some strange disease. He lunged for Daniel's face with his outstretched hands, fingers digging into his windpipe as the boy's mouth gaped wide, teeth shining in the low light like tiny little weapons.
Fresco shoulder-checked the kid, ripping him free of Daniel. Fresco heard his brother gasp and choke, saw out of the corner of his eye Daniel clutch at his throat, before returning his full attention to the bundle of demon rebounding from the blow he gave it to attack again.
This time Fresco was ready for it. He drove a spike of power dir
