Unfortunately, Alex could picture it all too well; Jake’s death had happened because he himself had forgotten to scan. God, it was so easy to do sometimes – so stupidly, criminally easy. Willow touched his arm, and he knew she was aware of what he was thinking.

“So how did he get you all down here?” he asked finally.

The microwave went off; Kara took the spaghetti out and started piling portions onto plates. “Well, when Project Angel first got taken over, the angels started getting rid of all the AKs and angel spotters – you probably already know that. They sent one of their lackeys out after us; I guess none of them wanted to get near us themselves. And when it came to Juan’s turn – well, let’s just say that now there’s one less lackey in the world.”

“Good,” said Alex shortly. Willow sat without speaking, listening intently.

Kara handed them both a plate; opened a drawer and fished out forks and spoons. Putting them on the table with a soft clatter, she sat down again. “Afterwards, Juan searched the guy’s car and found his phone – and there was a document on it that had the names and contact numbers of everyone who hadn’t been killed yet. Me and those five in there.” She nodded towards the rest of the house. “We were all next on the list. Juan managed to get to us first, and brought us all down here.”

“Why Mexico City?” asked Alex. He wasn’t that hungry any more, but knew he should eat; he took a bite of spaghetti. “Juan wasn’t from here, was he? I thought he was from Durango.”

Kara nodded, tapping the table. “He was – we’re here because of an email that Juan found on the phone. Alex, something big is going to be happening here soon. And we have to be here for it – we have to be ready.”

Willow shot Alex a quick look. “What’s happening?” she asked Kara. Her tone was full of dread; he knew she was thinking of her dream.

“I’d better start from the beginning,” said Kara. “Juan didn’t keep the phone after he got the information from it, but he wrote the email down – wait, I’ll show you.” She got up and left the room, her tall, slim form moving almost silently.

As Willow turned to him, her face creased with concern. “Your poor cheek,” she murmured, stroking it gently. “Does it really hurt?”

“It’s okay,” said Alex, his mind half on what Kara had been saying. “I just wish I’d punched him back when I had the chance.” Then he glanced at Willow, taking in her face. “Are you all right, though? Being here?”

He wouldn’t really call the slight curving of her lips a smile. “I’m fine,” she said.