End of the Tunnel

As the spirit finally withdrew, Animus stood shaking with reaction. At first, all he could think about was that it was finally over, but he soon realized how close he had come to breaking under the strain. Was it worth it, the risk, the agony? What did I actually accomplish? How much more might I have been able to contribute had I not made that deal? He gingerly touched the place where the spirit had stabbed into his back, and was mildly surprised to find the skin unbroken. It certainly hadn't felt ephemeral.

Animus' attention finally begins to turn to Ekko's message. Whatever had killed Calligan had drank his blood. Ekko's bloodsuckers had to be related, but what did that mean for the purpose of this meeting?