Overture Downs in the arms of the strangler

He feels her teeth sinking into the side of his neck before he has a chance to move away, but the pain is not what he expects. Instead of the burning lance that had shot through him the first time, he feels only pressure and a deep, gnawing ache. A gasp slips from him as he wrenches away from her, stepping back briefly, and he lunges again in the next second with what he hopes is a more careful aim. Again he goes for her throat, higher this time, determined to grip whatever his teeth find.