It was as if sinuous fingers of steel were burying themselves in his flesh.

Before they found his throat he flung himself backward with all his weight, and with a tremendous effort freed himself.
Both Quade and Culver Rann now stood between him and the door.

He could hear Quade's deep, panting breath.

Rann, as before, was silent as death.
Then he heard the door close.

A key clicked in the lock.