i smile , shaking my head , remembering jake 's words that night . a hint of burnt amber tickled my nose , and i wondered if it was real or simply my memory inventing the scent . that 's when i came face-to-face with a skull . it was a different kind of fighting , knowing there were people on your side who would help . anyway , it would n't be polite to refuse their southern hospitality . i pushed off the wall and walked over to him . i opened the door and turned my back to him . 