“SO HOW ARE WE GETTING into the Torre Mayor?” demanded Sam for the hundredth time. “’Cause with as long as Kara’s taking, I’m starting to think we’d better forget the security stuff. Hell, let’s just bust in there, do what we gotta do, and get out again!”

They were returning from another hunt, at Alameda Central this time. The Metro was less crowded than usual, allowing the AKs to sit together in an almost-empty car. Alex groaned and dropped his head back against the window. “Sam, we’ve had this conversation,” he said. “Tell me again, why is it a good idea for us to go storming in there without any idea what we’re walking into? Oh yeah, I forgot – we’re in a Rambo movie.”

“Well, we can’t just keep waiting for Kara to get the goddamn code,” grumbled Sam. He sat sprawled back in his seat: a large, disgruntled Texan. “The Council’ll be gone before she gets it at this rate.”

Alex didn’t answer, fully aware that if worst came to worst, they’d have to make an attempt on the Council anyway. He sighed, massaging his eyes. The angels in the city were definitely on the alert now. There weren’t nearly as many out feeding as there’d been just a couple of weeks ago, and those that were seemed to be feeding somewhat perfunctorily; were less inclined to savour their prey. Even so, the team had managed to bring down four today – and three of them had blasted straight back at him. Distantly, Alex wondered what kind of damage he was taking from all the angel fallout lately. Martin, his father, used to be riddled with it sometimes.

To Alex’s side, Liz and Trish were talking in excited, low voices about the hunt; Wesley and Brendan sat across from them, joining in occasionally. Wesley in particular looked psyched, almost smiling for a change – he’d gotten two of the creatures. The team wasn’t doing badly; they really weren’t. But they had less than a week to go now.

“You still haven’t told me what the plan is,” observed Sam, tapping his fingers on his leg.

“No kidding,” said Alex shortly. He had no intention of telling Sam or anyone else until he had to; morale would plummet. Well, maybe not Sam’s morale. But the sane members of the team’s, definitely.