"That's the spirit," he says, and he smiles emotionlessly, out of pure, logical pleasure. "Here, lean back." He presses Gaeta back against the wall, straightening out his spine and shoulders. "Remember, don't fight it. You want me to do this."

He places his hand back on Gaeta's throat, beginning the process again anew. (And as for the lump of Gaeta's grief? That disappears into one of the inner pockets of Pyotr's coat, to be molded into some strange creature or automaton later.)