The cellar smelled like ancient blood and was rocky and damp. Behind me, two soldiers were moving down the little, arched passageway. The walls were illuminated by the lengthy shadows created by the floating torches.

"Open it," I muttered.

The guard paused. "Alpha forbade anyone from doing so,

"I'm not nobody," I interrupted him. "Open it."

After swallowing, he twisted the key. With a squeak, the metal door opened.

Selene was seated, her hair a frightened tangle, her wrists ...