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"Is it far?" It was cold, and Malachi didn’t relish trudging through the dark streets, though it was possible they would pick up a fewthe way The two they’d just hunted had been their sixth and seventh of the night The city truly was flooded with the creatures

Rhys watched the taillights of Lang’s car turn left at the light "Does it , whether we like it or not"

"Lead the way"

They turned in the opposite direction and began walking Silent, at first, then re on the streets they passed and the huht They passed ori crossed their path By the ti where Max kept a flat, Malachi was ready for a drink

"Do you think he has beer?" he asked Rhys

"You know, even without your h I don’t remember you, I know that statement should annoy me, and yet it doesn’t"

The two scribes entered the building s, only to be met in the lobby by a , dark-haired Irina, as tall as he was, though far better dressed He didn’t kno he knew she was Irina Some instinct drew him Her aura radiated power

"Ren, do you knohere I putoff when he saw the a dark red scarf around his neck and practically shouted, "You’re here!" His smile made no mystery of their welcome "We were just about to drive to Oslo house to find you"

Max walked over and e him on the back, but Malachi’s eyes never left the worowing pale He could see her hand treesture was uncharacteristic Max went to her side

"Renata?"

"You told me… I didn’t believe you Not really But it’s really hiht have been ht he saw tears in the corners of the wo out a hand

"I’ve seen you, scribe In pictures In her visions Her rief… To see you here, I cannot--"

"I told you," Max said quietly, putting an ars, Maxim" Her voice held a note of irritation, even as her hand lifted to Malachi’s cheek It rested there while heeyes

"She thinks you dead, Malachi"

"Please" He fought back the hitch in his voice "Where is she?"

They sat around the table in Max’s stylish apart for Renata to finish her phone call Malachi looked around warily

"You live well, Max"

The scribe crossed his tattooed arms and smiled "I’ve never been very comfortable with the communal life I serve my scribe house, but that doesn’t mean that other… projects do not interest a opportunities present thee of the, but why can’t Renata just tell us where Ava is? We know Sarihöfn was compromised Surely Renata knohere they would take her"