"With fire and flame you forced us to the caverns, Man-thing. But we are old and wise. We built our cities here, warmed them against the dreadful damp and cold. Soon we shall burst forth in all our might. And when we do—"
He stopped abruptly; the tensing of his claws told the rest more eloquently than words. He rapped a command to one of the guards.
"Take off their garments! I would see what prizes have stumbled into our refuge!"
Obediently, the bat-creature shambled forward; his talons fumbled at Captain Lane's face-port. Tim cried out, "No! Don't let him! The atmosphere—"
The vampire overlord grinned at him cunningly.
"Fear not, Earthman. The air in this chamber will not harm you. We have other plans—" His wet, red tongue licked his lips.
Then Lane's headpiece was removed, and his bulger was stripped from him. A dazed expression swept across his forehead. He said, "Mallory—it—it's hot in here! And the air is breatheable!"