was full of nose-scorching smoke, too, from vampire blood eating into fabric. Christophe started

barking orders, and every single one of the djhampir hopped to obey like he was a teacher or something. They even looked relieved that someone was there to tell them what to do.

I know that feeling. I always felt better when Dad was around to tell me what the hell was going on

and what my part in it was. I tried not to look at the mess on the floor. Every bruise and muscle I

owned began to shake. My hair hung in my face, blonde streaking through the curls and retreating

as the aspect boiled through me and receded.

A lean blond djamphir arrived at a dead run with, of all things, a can of Coke. Christophe plucked it

from his fingers with a nod and turned to me. “Here. You need the sugar.”

“Reynard.” Leon appeared out of thin air. “The Council’s got wind of this. They’re en route.”

“It doesn’t matter. She’s safe.” Christophe pressed my hand around the cold aluminum, the can already sweating condensation. “And I can afford to be caught now that I’ve run my course.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Leon gave me a dark look. “She’s all but helpless. I can’t be

everywhere at once. Neither can Calstead. Especially since they didn’t give him or the others class

waivers.”

“They didn’t . . .” Christophe took this in, shrugged. “Where’s the loup-garou?” He said it mildly,

like he didn’t care.

Leon stiffened. “He’s not with her?”

“No. Just the Broken. And why, in the name of everything that is holy, was she left alone with Anna?”

“What?” Leon gave me a good hard look, his gaze passing over the shadows of bruising as well. He

cursed, slowly and softly. There was a commotion around the corner, drawing nearer. Shouts, information passed along. “Go,” the mousy-haired djamphir said in an urgent whisper. “If they catch you

—”

Christophe’s smile was a marvel of edged sweetness. When he grinned like that he looked handsomer than ever, the hint of danger just about threatening to stop a girl’s heart. “Why, Leontus. I

didn’t know you cared.” He looked back at me. “I said drink, little bird. You’ll regret it if you

don’t.”

I cracked the tab and took a long cold fizzing mouthful. Carbonation stung my throat. Everything

wavered in front of me, the hall seen through a haze.

Where’s Graves? He should be here. The reality of what had just happened hit me. I turned my

head, rusty iron cords in my neck creaking. “God,” I whispered. There was a huge black stain in

front of the door, still steaming.

I just really, really wanted to see Graves. I wanted to see his face and hear what he’d make of all