of rotting flesh and kerosene fumes. I gagged. As we entered the room the rats protested Ethan’s presence. Max shut them up, gathering them together to explain the situation.

“Feral animals,” Ethan muttered.

“They’re our only hope. Don’t be so fastidious, Ethan. You perpetuate a system that creates and casts them aside.”

“Until very recently you were part of this system.”

Kurt had no love for Ethan and had no trouble telling him just what he thought. “Officially, I was no better off. You’ve certainly treated me as badly as you treat them.”

“How long have you known Max?” I asked.

“After the war I came back to see if anyone I knew was alive. Max had lost his family in the war and fell victim to one bloodsucker or another who used him for a few years then cast him aside. I’ve given the pack money for years. In return they fed me information about Brovik’s enemies.”

Kurt led me to a bed near one of the heaters. He stripped off my gloves and kissed my fingertips, rubbing them in his hands. “You’re hands are cold.” He placed the least filthy blanket he could find around my shoulders and held me. The stench of the place made me gag.

Ethan sat across from us on another bed, watching Kurt caress my hair as we tried to get warm. “Are you in pain?”

“I’m fine. It’s the smell.”

Kurt looked around. “They lure victims here— pedophiles, drug dealers— whatever scum they can. The ground is frozen. They can’t bury them. They put them into the cellar until they get enough petrol to burn them.”

“You don’t smell so good yourself, darling.”

“I’d give anything for a bath.” His smile melted me as always. “You shouldn’t have come but I’m glad. Lie down and rest.” He slipped off my jacket, discovering the bandage on my arm. “What’s this?”

“I was shot. Ethan fixed me up.”

Ethan was clearly uncomfortable. “It’s a clean wound. It will heal.”

“The dogs did this?”

I nodded.

“He didn’t waste time,” Kurt said, grimly.

Max hurried over to us with news. “The pack agrees to let the alpha stay.”

“Thanks for nothing,” Ethan muttered.

“You must leave as soon as the weather clears. The radio says the storm will end by morning. By evening the roads should be better.”

We huddled around the heater not talking much. Before dawn Kurt and I curled close on the mattress. Ethan didn’t try to sleep, obviously not trusting our hosts. I closed my eyes and fell asleep, lulled by the deep, shushing rhythm of Kurt’s heartbeat.

Kurt was already in deep conversation with Max while I was just rising. Max scratched his bushy little head, looking perplexed.

Ethan got to his feet. “What’s wrong?”

Kurt turned to us, his face set and tense. “Someone’s missing.”

“Karl took the Vespa,” said Max. “We never travel alone.”

“Little bastard sold us out,” Ethan said.

“We don’t know that, but we should get to the car and see if we can start it.” Kurt took my hand. As I reached for my jacket, the building suddenly shook and swayed. Plaster hailed down onto our heads, as a huge orange swath of fire roared through the room engulfing poor Max. Kurt dragged me to the steps with Ethan on our heels. We ran up into the demolished lobby, where fires were burning all around and above us, a piece of burning debris nearly knocking Kurt to the ground.

“Look out!” I screamed.

“The door is blocked by the fire!” Ethan yelled. “Find another way out!”

“Here!” Kurt called, pulling me down the hall and out through a ruined sunroom littered with long broken shards of glass. The three of us made it outside just as the roof collapsed. Inside we heard screams of the unfortunates who didn’t escape. Those who did were running in all directions, taking cover in the bushes.

A helicopter stood before us with blades whirling. Through the firelight strode Brovik toward us. We found ourselves surrounded by four large dogs bearing assault weapons.

“Restrain them.”

Guns pressed up against our heads, as we were bound in chains, and pushed into the helicopter. Brovik climbed in, motioning to the pilot to take off.

When we landed later on Brovik’s island, we were dragged inside to the main room, the dogs training weapons on us, as Brovik drew a gleaming knife from an elaborate sheath.

“Ethan, I’m surprised,” he said. “You always hated the boy.”

“I’m sworn to protect, Mia.”

“My cavalier, once again you back the losing cause.” Brovik motioned to the guards. “Release them, but watch them closely.”

One dog with long blond hair like Brovik’s, unlocked