The Collector Toh Novels & Stories

He tilts his head up, breaking our eye contact, to look at something behind me. I glance over my shoulder, the stranger whoever he was is scurrying away. “Nikolai owns Truth.” Katya declares. “It makes a lot more sense why you brought us here.” “That is your husband? Well damn.” Nadia adds. Immediately, the arm around my waist tightens, pulling me closer against the hard chest, demanding my rapt attention. Was I anticipating his arrival? Of course. But trust the man to shock me regardless.

He didn't have eyes; he had two glowing, violet "Barcodes." "The Collector is a 'High Roller' with no taste," the Barcode-Man said, his voice sounding like a thousand glass bells. "If you want to truly 'Heresy' the system, you need the 'Merchant of Shards'."