Jill looked to Milos. The grin never left his face. “We parted under … uncertain circumstances,” he said. “But Jill, I must say, I am surprised by your … how do you say it? ‘Unprovoked hostility’.”

“Whatever happened between you and Milos, I’m sure you’re sensible and mature enough to put it behind you,” Mary said. “Just as I’ve been able to admit how wrong I’ve been in my assessment of skinjackers, you should be able to resolve your differences. After all, we’re all working for the greater good.”

Jill was truly speechless, but she tried to salvage the moment. She turned to Milos. “Milos, I’m sorry, let’s start fresh.” She reached out to shake Milos’s hand and he took it, clasping it a bit too hard, making it clear that bygones were not bygones, and that he would have his revenge. Jill squeezed his hand just as hard. Let him try to get back at her. Let him try!

“I really have missed you, Milos. How’ve you been?”

“Oh, Moose, Squirrel, and I have had some fine adventures, but now we’re here. We must spend some time catching up.”

Jill glanced to Mary. If she picked up the tension between Jill and Milos, she didn’t care. Or perhaps the tension suited her needs.

“Now, then,” said Mary, “I’ve been bringing Milos up to speed on your amulet, and how you’ve been using it to rescue children from the light. We now have four skinjackers instead of just one—isn’t that splendid? It’s been amazing all the things you’ve been able to accomplish all by yourself, Jill—think of how much more effective you’ll be as a team!”

“I can only imagine,” said Milos.

If Jill had a stomach, she would have been sick to it.

For Milos, finding Jackin’ Jill was nothing compared to finding Mary Hightower. The fact that Jill was unable to ruin things for him was a good sign, and boded well for his future. If success was the best revenge, then his success with Mary would be sweet indeed—and a very bitter pill for Jackin’ Jill, who had used him and discarded him.

Moose and Squirrel were still off paying tribute to Pugsy Capone, giving Milos time to follow Jill to the incubator, once his first audience with Mary was done. “I wanted to see your new scam with my own eyes,” he told her the moment he knew they were alone. He looked out over the sleeping Interlights. “You’ve been busy.”

“This is no scam,” said Jill, practically spewing venom. “And whatever you think you’re doing here, it’s not going to happen. You’d better leave now if you know what’s good for you.”