cking over an empty tin can that was sitting on a shelf.

the rat disappear into a crack in the wall and his tense shoulders rela

of her feet, as silent as a ghost. She didn't stop until she was back in the empty,

ntil she was sitting on the floor. She let out a long, shuddering breath, trying to calm the frantic

flickered to life, its cool blue light illuminating her grim face. Using the residual memories, she entered the passwo

The original host not only spent all her liquid assets but also mortg

The original Janna had been confiscating the meager military stipends of he

ety friends, the original Janna had used her legal authority to have the Gonzales twins, two of

" she muttered under her breath. This wasn't just bankruptcy

anger. Hunger. A raw, gnawing emptiness that reminde

tching her stomach. First thing

port pillar, his wound freshly bandaged by Cary. Cary sat b

bitter. "Dewitt and Federico. Reassigned to a high-mortal

knees. "I know. I heard the

him. "None of us ever had a choice with her. That woman upsta

ears pressed flat, his expr

ing room, heading for the large kitchen on the first floor. The

igerator. It was completely empty, save for a few bottles of expensi

. Finally, in the bottom drawer of the pantry, her

acks available, the kind used by manual laborers. The tubes were scr

survival instincts screaming at her to twist the cap

age of Shane's bleeding thigh and Cary's

and f

te their last rations, any chance of building a truce, however

entrance. Janna quickly hid the nutrien

His fox ears pressed back against his head in fear. He had just settled Shane down

he ransacked drawers. He immediately understood. She was looking

eness. "Is there anything you require, ma'am?" he asked, his vo

was swaying on his feet, his internal energ

itically low. If he faints, he will be unable to suppress Shane Tucker'

to soften the hard lines of her face. Slowly,

marble kitchen island. The metallic clink of th

ontracted. He looked up at Janna, his face a mask of utt

rough. "Take it," she said, her English accent

snakes. He was convinced this was a trick. They were poisoned, or

offer any further explanation. She knew that against the mou

brushed. She didn't look back. She just walked out of the kitchen, leaving Cary