“Isaac, the text message is from Alice Granach.” Fear chilled her words. “It was sent at six-thirty.”

Right after the automatons attacked the nest. “What does it say?”

“It’s just her name and a phone number.” Lena was already dialing. I heard it ring once, and then a young-sounding male voice answered, “You’ve reached Dolingen Properties. How may I direct your call?”

“Tell Granach that Isaac Vainio needs to talk to her.”

“Yes, sir. I believe she was expecting you. One moment please.”

The speaker began to play what sounded like an old Beach Boys tune, and a minute or so later, Granach picked up. “Is Lena with you?”

“I’m right here,” said Lena.

“Good.” Gunfire crackled in the background. “I thought you’d want to hear when I drain the blood from your lover.”

“The man behind the attack is Charles Hubert,” Lena shouted. “We know where he is. We’re on our way to end this!”

Granach didn’t answer right away, but the screams and explosions continued from the speaker, interrupted by crackling static. “Tell me where to find this man. In exchange, the doctor dies quickly.”

Doctor Shah would die, and then the vampires would find Gutenberg. Everything Charles Hubert had done in the madness of possession paled beside the damage the true Gutenberg could do if Granach turned him. Vampires were nothing but mosquitoes to someone with Gutenberg’s power, but depending on what Hubert had done to incapacitate him, he might be vulnerable . . .

“We’re trying to help you,” I protested. A minivan honked, and the driver flipped me off as I cut in front of her and hit the gas.

“Your Porters are more worried about stopping those of us who escaped, and hiding our presence from the mortals.”

“Enough,” Lena snapped, bringing the phone to her face. “Here’s a counteroffer, Granach. Isaac and I will end this attack. Once we do, we’re going to have access to everything Charles Hubert has done. The automatons, the magic he’s used to control your people, even Gutenberg himself. So you’re going to hand Nidhi back to us alive and unharmed, or I will use those weapons to end you. Do we have an understanding?”

I heard shouting and more gunshots, but Granach didn’t answer right away. She was furious, but she was also smart. I imagined her calculating odds, reviewing everything she knew about Lena Greenwood. I realized I was holding my breath, and forced myself to exhale.

“Agreed,” Granach said grudgingly. “But if the automatons reach the heart of our nest, I will see your lover dead before they destroy me.”

Lena hung up and handed me the phone.

“You weren’t bluffing, were you?”

“Nope.”