The memory of that first night with Dieter under the stars faded from Pree's thoughts the second he became aware of someone else in his vicinity. This had been happening more and more: long stretches of losing himself in thought, whole hours spent listening to the discordant music of human heartbeats.
None of it was normal, Pree knew that much. He focused on Conrad with some difficulty. "Oh, it's you." He reached up a hand, his palm icy as he cupped Conrad's cheek. "Hello, darling. Don't think I'm not glad to see you, but you shouldn't get too close. I seem to be coming down with something. Can't keep anything down. And I'm exhausted all day long." Whatever it was, it had started just a day or two ago, after a visit to a club. He barely remembered the evening in question, the whole thing a blur save for the memory of a pale-haired woman with eyes like cobalt and a smile like a razor.