Only Trish and Liz got seats on the crowded car. Alex stood with the others, holding onto a looped strap that hung from the ceiling. Willow was next to him; as the train lurched she stumbled slightly and he put his arm around her, steadying her. He could feel her tension. They were all tense. Hanging onto the next strap, Sam stood tapping his thigh with his free hand; nearby, Wesley looked more sullen and closed-off than ever. Brendan was chattering away about not much at all, his voice high and nervous. Alex started to tell him to cool it, then Kara gave Brendan a look that did the job for him. She’d kept her word since their conversation the day before, to Alex’s relief – in fact, was acting so completely sister-like now that he almost wondered if he’d imagined it.

They got off at Constituyentes; the entrance to the park stood nearby. Chapultepec was essentially a giant forest, and held everything you could think of – even a historic castle and an amusement park – but right here it was quiet. Alex could see paths, trees, smooth manicured grass. As they crossed the road and entered its grounds, a hush seemed to fall, leaving the noise of the city behind them.

From Willow’s silence, Alex knew there weren’t any angels in sight yet. Just as he’d counted on, there weren’t many people here either on a weekday afternoon – though hopefully enough to attract some angels. The irony of hoping for an attack brought a dry smile. Closing his eyes, he lifted his consciousness through his chakra points; felt the others doing the same.

“Okay, we’re going to split into two teams,” he said. “Kara, you lead Wesley, Liz and Brendan; I’ll take Sam, Trish and Willow. Keep out of sight if you can, but keep an eye on the main paths; that’s where the action will probably be.”

Kara nodded. “How long?” she asked, glancing at her cellphone. Alex had one too; he’d bought it at one of the outdoor markets that morning. He’d also grabbed some more clothes for himself and Willow while he was at it; he knew how sick she was of wearing borrowed stuff.

“An hour, then we meet back here,” he said, checking the time. He returned the phone to the pocket of his blue hooded sweatshirt. “Call me if there’s any trouble. And happy hunting, guys – keep safe.” He spoke the familiar words without thinking – it was what Cully had often said to them before a hunt, and then later on, Juan.

And now him.

From the look in Kara’s eyes, he knew she was thinking the same thing. “Will do,” she said, and led her team off through the trees.