So here it was, the thing he’d dreaded so much – as inevitable as the coldness of ice. Alex’s bruised cheek gave a throb. Somehow he’d known this would happen, from the moment he first saw Sam flailing around with the gun, screaming at the angel to come and get him. There was no getting away from it. He couldn’t say no, even though he wanted to refuse this more than anything he’d ever faced – because it wasn’t just a team’s safety he’d be responsible for now; it was all of humanity’s.

“If I’m lead, then the first priority is to get floor plans for the hotel,” he said finally. “I also need more specific security information. A lot more specific; every detail you can find out – how many guards, exactly what’s happening at this reception, everything. And as soon as the team is ready, we’ll have to start taking them out on safe hunts – the safest we can manage, so they can get some real-life practice. I don’t want any of them dying if I can help it.” His mouth twisted. “Not even that jerk-off Texan.”

“You got it, chief,” said Kara softly.

Chief. Alex resisted pulling a face. “Are you okay with this?” he said to Willow.

She nodded. She looked resigned, as if she too found this inevitable. At the same time, apprehension flickered deep within her green eyes, and he knew how worried she was. “Of course,” she said. “This is what we have to be doing.”

“So, I guess I’ll tell the team tonight,” said Kara.

Alex started to eat again; the food had lost all its flavour. “Tomorrow,” he said. “Let me get some sleep first, okay?”

Kara nodded. And though he was exhausted, Alex didn’t know whether that was the real reason he wanted to put the announcement off, or whether he just wanted a few more hours’ reprieve before he had to take this on. He glanced at Willow, wishing again that they were alone. He wanted to find out how she really felt about staying here, given the reception she’d received.

Willow seemed to guess what was on his mind; her fingers rested fleetingly on his arm, telling him it was okay. She pushed her chair back. “Is there a restroom I could use?” she asked Kara.

Kara turned, pointing with a slender brown arm. “Yeah – just go through that door and it’s upstairs, second door on the left.”

After Willow had disappeared, Kara said, “So. She does that too.”

Alex didn’t look up from his meal. “Yeah, gosh, just like a real human being. Do you think you could stop being such an idiot about this? As a special favour to me?” He shovelled another bite of spaghetti into his mouth.

“She’s very pretty,” said Kara after a pause.

“I know.”

“So...can I ask you a personal question?”