Night swallowed the city whole. The streets gleamed with wet pavement, reflecting the glow of neon signs and the cold silver of the moon. Chloe sat rigid in the back of Valerius's black G-wagon, her hands clutched tight in her lap as the car sped toward the edge of town. Lucius lounged beside her, humming to himself, while Valerius drove with predatory focus, his hands gripping the wheel like claws.

"Relax, little dove," Lucius murmured, leaning close enough that Chloe caught the faint scent ...