"Age of Iron": Vercueil as Death Angel

OK, to some extent Vercueil is Mrs. Curren's guardian angel (one might say: With a guardian angel like that who needs one). But in the end he becomes her Death Angel:
  "Is it time?" I said.
   I got back into bed, into the tunnel between the cold sheets. The curtains parted; he came in beside me. For the first time I smelled nothing. He took me in his arms and held me with mighty force, so that the breath went out of me in a rush. From that embrace there was no warmth to be had.

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