nd were piles of expensive, useless jewelry and a few silk nightgowns with

m somewhere below. It sounded

nt,] the system reported. [Subject: Shane Tu

, and she needed it now. Janna grabbed a long trench coat from a hook

essed her ear against the cold metal, listening. The silence from the

the button to open the door. It slid open with a soft h

kill learned in a world where noise meant death. The wind whistling through a vent at the end of the corridor provided the perfect cove

of her vision, a persistent, blood-red reminder o

e and started down the narrow, steep steps. The air grew colder, thick with the coppery sce

ctim of old wiring. Janna paused at the last turn of the stairs, hi

es. His entire body was wracked with violent tremors, his muscles spa

grade combat knife. Without a moment's hesitatio

instantly, dark

ain-clouded eyes. He pulled the knife out, gasping for air, using the sharp, physi

Hopkins, slender and graceful, rushed to Shane's side, a me

looked at the bleeding wound on Shane's leg, and a faint white gl

s breathing ragged. "Don't waste your energy on me

unshed tears. "That heartless demon," he whispered, the words ful

ation, though not directed at her soul, landed squarely on the body she now inhabit

ce. "Just two more months, Cary," he said, his voice a low, chilling promi

grim determination. "We have to contact the interstellar court," he agreed.

lan. A death sentence they were all counting down to. She tried to make a fist, but her palm was slick wi

power space is currently in a deadlocked state. It can only be initial

. She needed energy to unlock her powers, but she needed money

hane. He curled into a ball on the flo

gainst the wound, forcing his healing energy into Shane's body. Th

e had seen nothing but betrayal and self-interest. To see this-two men supporti

. It was a weakness, a liability. She ha

l brushed against a loose floorboard on the edge of

snapped to atte

. His green eyes, sharp as daggers, pierced the darkn

against the cold, damp wall. Her heart poun

his palm. He moved cautiously towards the staircase,

m the corner. Just a few se