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The truth is, it feels more than good. In a world where I see the rot beneath the shiny veneer—the corrupted officials, the blood money flowing through nightclubs, vampires and serial killers and the hollow smiles of people desperate to forget the war we lived through—I feel as if I’ve finally found something good. Like Lena is something pure and precious and mine.

And I don’t want to lose her.

I can’t.

The thought of it makes my heart feel like it’s been torn to shreds.

Yesterday I could have lost her. The Ivanov girls could have killed either of us, we were that vulnerable, that malleable. And maybe it should relieve me to know that they didn’t, that no matter what they wanted us for, they didn’t kill us or harm us. Just gave us a few orgasms and sent us on our way.

Yet I have a feeling in my gut, one that says that this was just a trial, just a test, and the next time we won’t be so lucky. Luck doesn’t exist anymore.

“What blood type are you?” I ask her.

“Hmmm?” she raises her head to look at me, her hair spilling over one eye. “My blood type? I don’t know. Why?” She frowns, reading my face. “You don’t think…”

“Don’t know what I think anymore, but if you were AB negative…”

“If I was AB negative, they wouldn’t have let me leave the mansion, would they? If they’re behind the killings, they would have kept me.”

She’s right about that. Still, I want her to figure it out. Would make me feel better.

“I should call Norma,” I say, reluctantly getting out from under her. “Check in at the office. Let her know I’m alive.”

I retrieve the telephone from the nightstand and dial the office number, expecting to get Norma’s familiar greeting. Instead, she answers with a frantic, “Victor?”

“It’s me,” I confirm. “Everything alright?”

“Where have you been?” she demands, her voice a mix of relief and irritation. “I’ve been calling everywhere looking for you.”

“Long story. What’s happening?”

“There’s been another murder. A woman found near Echo Park, same M.O. as the others. Throat cut, body drained of blood. Not bisected this time, but Coleman says it’s definitely connected.”

My grip tightens on the receiver. “When?”

“Last night. Body was discovered early this morning by a jogger.”

Last night. While Lena and I were at the Ivanovs’ mansion, drugged and manipulated, another woman was being slaughtered as part of their ritual.

“Coleman’s at the morgue now,” Norma continues. “Said to tell you to meet him there if I heard from you.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Callahan?” Her voice drops, concern evident. “Be careful. Coleman says this is bigger than anyone realizes.”

“I know. Thanks, Norma.”

I hang up and look at Lena, who’s watching me with worried eyes. “Another murder,” I tell her. “Last night. Same M.O.”

“While we were at the mansion,” she says softly.

“I need to go to the morgue. Meet Coleman.”

“I understand.”

“I need you to come with me.”

“To the morgue? That’s quite the date, Callahan.”