na

h a frantic edge. He was on his knees, search

I said. "It'

ff his suit. "It is th

a hole in my

ality. He preferred his

ded. "We are going out.

stores. Boutiques. He bought bags of designer clot

ding up a blue dress

" I said. "That dr

the Grand Auction House. There'

e was taking me to b

at in a private box. Joyce was ther

em

art s

ched with moon phas

r's l

as a microscopic engraving of the White Wo

ive thousand," the a

d," I said,

urprised. "You

my mot

ousand," a

proxy. S

housand,"

irt

sand!" I wa

garbage. Joyce wants it for her collection

to stand. "Eig

n," Aust

d thousand!

yes flashe

you to st

ords paralyzed. My tongue turned to lead. I fought

ries burst. I coughed, and blood

in the back for

slumped, gasping, bloo

rified. "Why did you fight the

er," I wheezed. "You

box and winked. Then

," Austen sighed. "I need to check on her.

t me b

mbled toward the exit. I

ing garage. Dim. S

l," a voic

Moon Pack. Low-level thugs

o learn respect," one

d you," I said

on,'" the warrior grinned.

g a met

er grabbed my hair. The b

ac

to the concrete. They

they spat. "Can't

n a puddle of

one b

o from

crushing the

e you. Come to your father's house for dinner. Brin

d at th

back together. I was goi

going to burn