Nita linked her arm with Kovit’s and turned them away. Kovit’s eyes didn’t leave the scene until they turned a corner, and his body was stiff with fear.

Walking together offered him some protection, since eyes passed over them, as though people couldn’t imagine a zannie traveling with others, or having a girlfriend, or whatever they looked like to the outside world.

But the Dangerous Unnaturals List was everywhere, printed and pasted on walls, up on everyone’s phones, and Nita shivered, wondering how many innocent people who resembled Kovit had already been attacked, like the girls who looked like Nita back in Toronto.

She tried not to think about it.

The hotel lobby was pristine and clear. Kovit fiddled with his sunglasses but didn’t take them off, even though they were indoors. It made him stand out, but it was still less risky than having him take them off and be recognized.

They headed to Almeida’s room. Nita had disposed of the diplomat’s body at the same time she’d disposed of Andrej’s body last night. She didn’t want the stench of rot to give away all their plans, and she didn’t want any bodies found in the hotel.

Of course, after tonight, she didn’t care if they found bodies. She just needed everything to look normal until she had the password from Alberto Tácunan.

Inside Almeida’s room, the faint smell of corpse remained, a combination of urine and a hint of rot. Nita found the smell of it comforting. Decay and death had always been her life’s work. And this death was a piece of her success.

Fabricio wrinkled his nose as he walked in, and Kovit closed the door behind them. They were early for the meeting, and Nita sat down on the single bed, the plush surface sinking beneath her. Kovit sat beside her and Fabricio made for the chair, but paused, looking closely at it.

“Is that blood?”

Nita shrugged. “Probably. We murdered a man there yesterday. I didn’t see the point in cleaning that part until we were done with your father, though.” She considered. “I hope the maids don’t ignore the DO NOT DISTURB sign I put up.”

Fabricio didn’t respond, just quietly backed away from the chair and stood leaning against the wall.

“So, anything we should be aware of?” Nita asked. “Before we ambush him for the password?”

“Not really.”

“You’re an unnatural. Is he?”

“No.” Fabricio looked down. “My mom was.”

Nita tilted her head to one side. “Where is she?”

“Dead.” His voice was soft. “When I was young.”

“I’m sorry.” Nita wasn’t really, she didn’t care, but it was something you said in these circumstances. “How did she die?”

He hesitated, then admitted, “Cancer.”

Nita was silent, curiosity sated, but Kovit commented, “That must have been hard.”