t

week, Alex

An ancient structure built into living trees

d dese

ring his white dress shirt-t

nting at the portrait of Alex's great-gra

ed the

Alex said,

there," Aria twirled. "When wi

oo

"You have no ri

knocked the frame. The

n

e wailed. A tiny splinter

instantly, panic-st

e torn portrai

trembling. "You let he

is injured because you snuck up on us

finger on a frame

e!" Alex roared

"We're going to t

Like watchin

al, Dr. Evans

ing to Alex. "Stress... shock... she needs

ex said, rollin

the full moon two days ago. Your blood count is low

life force. Giving it casuall

ld give every drop to save my child. S

ed his ar

flowed into the tube, I felt

ng his life f

alf-closed eyelids, a triumphant smirk on her lips. She was sh

Save... the baby..." h

one b

is waiting. Code:

one last time. "G

He was too busy dyi

f the hospital room. Al

he cr

My voice sou

sit up. "The West Coast in

I said flatly.

to. Priv

to the secret cabin at Lake Tahoe.

in

trying to tap

u okay? You f

r, reflecting hi

fine,

d at the f

his head in. "Ms. Ari

e IV tape off.

out withou

k House. I packed cash,

crew arrived. Hum

rial grade enzyme spray. Breaks down biol

said. "Ev

pets. The chemical smell was acrid, l

mputer. Katarina

k accounts. Acc

or slammed.

n the kitchen, shoving

e muttered. "Special

then paused, phone to his ear. "

niffed the air, frowning. "Why do

steady. "Nesting instinct. I wanted

interpreted my erasure of self as s

a good Luna, Kat. We'll...

nothing

The heavy oak

ce I wasn't we

walked out, leaving

d like jet fue