The car tore through the city streets, Mikael driving like a man possessed. The babies cried in stereo, sharp, overlapping wails that drilled into Eva's skull.

She held one. Lyra clutched the other. Both women stared at the children with equal parts love and horror.

Alessandro twisted in the passenger seat, gun still in hand, scanning for pursuit. "Where are we going?"

"Nowhere safe," Mikael said flatly. "But somewhere they won't expect."

Jeremy pressed a bloody rag to his side, wincing. "We ...