The sickening stench of burned vampire reached them. Bella gagged and covered her nose. Lifting his head, Max saw the piles of ash where the bodies had landed. The blue ball of flame of Anne's soon-to-be-ex heart extinguished with a fizz.

"Hang on," Max instructed Bella. Then the wind came, making a maelstrom of the cavernous room, destroying the wooden shutters over the windows. Bella dived from the chair to shield him from the light.

"I have killed many vampires and that has never happened," she said, almost accusing.

"She was old," Max explained. "Despite what she looked like, she was really, really old."

During the night, when he'd lain awake relishing what might have been his last few moments with Bella, he'd realized he would probably have to kill Anne. He'd imagined himself being somewhat more… sorry about it. Funny how having his fingers cut off a little bit at a time had changed his attitude.

Bella touched his shoulder, then recoiled. "You are badly burned. How will we escape here? You cannot fight. I will applaud you if you can walk."

"Well, prepare to give me a standing ovation, 'cause we're getting out of here." He climbed to his feet and flattened himself against the wall. "Forgive me if I don't help you up, but I think I've had enough barbecue for today."

Jumping down in her chair, Bella groaned. "If it comes to pass that I will never walk again, please do me the favor of killing me."

"At least you've still got all your body parts, working or not." He waggled his ruined hand at her. "Follow me."

He inched along the wall, avoiding the sunlight that now flooded across the floor. Getting to the door would be the hardest part. Once they were outside it, the chances of finding another open window were slim. Unless the Oracle didn't mind looking for new employees every dawn.

Another few steps and he would be there. If he didn't lose his balance and fall into a shaft of sunlight first.

As if in answer to a prayer he hadn't uttered, the light dimmed.

"Max, what is happening?" Bella asked, her last word nearly drowned out by the clang of steel shutters. The windows and oculus were covered, leaving them in darkness.

Not a good sign. "Go!" he shouted, racing to grab her. But it was too late. The doors slammed shut before them.

"We are trapped," Bella whispered, eyes wide.

A mechanical whirring drew their attention to the other side of the room, A section of the tall paneling began to shift. Improbably, the whole section swung around re versing itself. On the other side was an attached dais with a large, ornate throne.

And on that throne sat the Oracle.