-war apartment building in Brooklyn. It took Armond's security

odyguards in black suits flanking him like shadows of death. A stor

elevator smelled of stale cigarettes and disinfectant. He watched the floor numbers l

He marched down the hallway to apartment 3B and s

d. The day at the park had worn him out completely. In the k

buzz of the doorbell

ho would be visit

. "Probably Mrs. Henderson from next do

door and peered th

ood ra

istorted by the fisheye lens,

d Sol

oking her. A primal, paralyzing fear

ard from the door,

a series of sharp, impatient knoc

ed out of his bedroom, rubbing

e with panic. She tried to wave hi

He stood on his tiptoes, his small eye pressing aga

over. He wanted to see what this man wanted. He reached up and un

tared out at Armond, his small f

he small, defiant face, so achingly familiar, the rage in his chest wa

t were too old, too cold for a child.

ssion, but his voice came out tight and strained

ct imitation of Armond's own-

," he said, and tried

faster. He shot a hand

grunted, pushing

grabbing the edge of the door, trying to help her son. "Armond, get

y. His patience shattered. He gave

ing wood and tortured metal as the security chain was ripped

mian were thr

t of the small living room. He was a dark storm cloud, his immense fr

chen, a large chef's knife clutched in his hand. He plant

zing with hatred. "You touch them

th a cold fire, were locked on Athena. He sta

a cornered animal. She faced the devil at her door,