| Unexpected Visitors

Jack saw Mike from the Black Chapter slumped beside Ava in the back seat. He looked sick and stern, there were three deep red scores on his pale neck and his white T-shirt was soaked with blood. Sunni was in the passenger seat, her hair hanging down over her blotchy face, her eyes swollen and puffy from crying.

Jack realized Amon was looking at him, searchingly. 'I'm sorry,' he said, sinking back into the car seat. The stiff white smock he wore chafed against his skin.

'Don't be,' Ava said, running her hand through his damp hair. 'I think you just came out of your fever.'

'Good job too,' Amon said with mock severity, 'because we're almost back at the hotel, and I'm damned if I'm going to carry you another step. Getting you over that fence was bloody murder…'

Amon pulled back out into the traffic. Jack's gaze settled again on Mike. 'So what's he doing here?'

'Getting the hell away from Maski's place,' Ava said, 'just like the rest of us.'