I learned how to shoot. Started target practice with the others. Watched the news a lot, like everyone else, to see what was going on in the world now. And we all tried to avoid bumping into each other like peas in a can. There weren’t that many of us in the house, but it always felt crowded somehow – apart from the dorms, there was only the range, the kitchen, the TV room and a couple of storage rooms, which were so full of boxes you could hardly get into them anyway. There was also a tiny gym in the basement, with a few exercise machines and free weights. Everyone worked out. I did too, since I was going stir crazy – Alex didn’t want me outside on my own until he was satisfied I could defend myself. He wasn’t just being protective of his girlfriend; the same thing was true for the other AKs, apart from Kara.

Other AKs. It was strange to realize that’s what I was now.

Alex hadn’t been satisfied at all with the way the first target practice went. Afterwards he’d told the group they were way too static – great at shooting if nothing was moving, but unfortunately angels had this funny habit of not just standing there motionless when bullets were coming at them. He rigged up targets that swung wildly from the ceiling, and made them start practising with those instead. In no time, the wall behind the targets was peppered with bullet holes, as if the room had been through a war.

“Man, this sucks,” complained Sam a few days later, red-faced with frustration as he missed again. The target swung about on its chain: a manic, mocking pendulum. “It’s all we’ve been doing for days! When are we gonna get out there and hunt some angels for real, so we can get ready for the Council?”

“When you’re over ninety per cent on the moving targets,” said Alex shortly. He took Sam’s pistol from him and aimed at the still-bouncing target; he shot once, twice, a third time. Bullseye each time. Silence fell from the group as they watched.

“That’s what I want,” said Alex. He handed Sam’s gun back. “Until you can do that, you’re not getting anywhere near an angel again – period. You’re no good to me unless you can actually hit them.”

No one said anything as he put them back to work, but it was like a ripple of determination had passed through the group; like they all suddenly got it. He kept everyone practising for hours each day, and when they weren’t doing that, he made sure they were working out, keeping in shape. He discussed strategy with the team too, drilling it into them – like, what to do when you’re under direct attack, so you don’t lead the angels straight back to your doorstep.