Alex ignored Nick’s teasing grin as he slipped out of the security room, the heavy door clicking shut behind him. The S.P.A. base’s subbasement hallway was a dim tunnel of concrete, its air damp and heavy with the tang of rust and old wiring. He pressed his phone to his ear, the screen’s glow casting shadows across his tired features. “Amy, it’s good to hear from you. Sorry I didn’t call.” His voice was soft, tinged with guilt, the bandage on his wrist itching under his sleeve. He’d drawn some of his blood for Nick. The S.P.A. didn’t have an unlimited supply and could be stingy when Nick needed extra. “What happened? Is everything alright?” Amy’s voice crackled through the line, laced with worry. She knew only the barest outline of his work—supernatural threats, a secretive agency—but her concern was a constant, warm tether. “Everything’s fine,” Alex assured her, pacing the hall, his shoes scuffing the gritty floor. “I was up all night with Ash. Cassie couldn’t stay awake, and Nick had to work. He got in late, burned by the sun, so I’ve been keeping an eye on him while trying to catch some sleep. I only woke an hour ago.” The exhaustion clung to him, a weight in his bones, the memory of Nick’s raw, blistered face vivid. Kellen looked up from a corner, where he’d been sprawled on a tattered rug, nose buried in a dog-eared book. His intelligent eyes glinted under the flickering fluorescent lights before he rose, claws clicking, and padded upstairs, his tail flicking as if sensing a shift in the air. “So, you’ll be up all night again?” Amy asked, a hint of resignation in her tone. “Company would be nice,” Alex hinted, a half-smile tugging at his lips as he descended toward the subbasement’s storage rooms, the air growing cooler, mustier. The thought of Amy’s warmth, her laugh, was a fleeting escape from the base’s shadows. “Do you have to watch Ash again, or can you come here?” Her voice lifted, hopeful. Alex hesitated, leaning against a storage room door, its chipped paint flaking under his shoulder. He’d rather be at Amy’s, curled up on her couch, free of the S.P.A.’s leash. But with Ethan here, untested, he couldn’t leave Nick unsupervised—his hunger was too volatile. The storage room, cluttered with dusty crates and old files, might suit Ethan if he joined, keeping him clear of Jessica’s upstairs domain, where she guarded her diary anchor like a dragon. “We’re interviewing a new sitter for Ash,” he said carefully. “I can’t let Nick handle all the training.” “You’re hiring a sitter?” Amy’s surprise was palpable, her voice brightening. “Sort of. He can see through dreams and illusions. He helped Ash yesterday.” Alex’s fingers traced the door’s rusted hinges, his mind on Ethan’s calm voice guiding Ash through her dream-hobbits. “So that’ll help you out?” Amy’s hope was infectious, tugging at him. “We’re hoping. But Mr. Winters has to approve.” Alex’s tone darkened, the S.P.A.’s director a looming specter. Ethan’s skills could free Alex to see Amy more, but Winters’ approval was a gamble, and he didn’t want to raise her hopes prematurely. Amy caught the shift. “Do you think he will?” “I hope. How about dinner on Friday? I miss you.” Alex’s voice softened, picturing her smile. She’d be working, but they could carve out time. “We were together last weekend,” Amy teased, though her warmth carried through. “I want this weekend, too.” He closed his eyes, the storage room’s chill seeping into his back, wishing he could promise more. “The whole weekend?” Amy’s voice was playful, testing. “Maybe. We’ll see.” He couldn’t say no, not to her, but the S.P.A.’s demands were a chain he couldn’t break. “That’s the best I’m getting, isn’t it?” Amy sighed, resigned but gentle. “Sorry.” Alex’s throat tightened, guilt gnawing at him. “Baby steps. We’ll take it slowly.” He smiled, her patience a lifeline. “Thanks.” A sound caught his ear. He turned, expecting Cassie or Ash, and swore under his breath, the curse sharp in the quiet hall. “Everything okay?” Amy asked, her worry spiking. “I need to go. I’ll call you.” Alex’s voice was urgent, his pulse quickening. “Tonight. I don’t care how late,” Amy insisted. “Okay.” He hung up, pocketing the phone, and faced Mr. Winters, the S.P.A.’s director, his graying hair glinting under the fluorescent lights, his tailored suit stark against the grimy walls. “Is it you, sir?” Alex asked, hoping it was Ash’s dream-trick again, her illusions a known chaos. He tugged at his sleeves absentmindedly. “Of course it’s me. Have you been drinking?” Winters demanded, pushing his glasses up his nose, his frown carving deep lines into his face. “No. Yesterday, Ash pranked me,” Alex explained, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest. Winters’s frown deepened, his eyes cold behind his lenses. “She made me intentionally?” “Only for a moment,” Alex assured him, though his stomach twisted. Ash’s pranks were dangerous, especially with Winters’ threats. “Well, something Ash doesn’t know is if she pulls stunts like that in public, I’ll have her lobotomized and locked up, and Nick can forget his experiment.” Winters’s voice was ice, his threat a blade held over them all. “Yes, sir. I’ll warn her.” Alex nodded, though Ash knew the risks. She’d never craft a dream so cruelly precise. This was the real Winters. He led the way back to the security room, and paused at the door. “Sir, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” he said, giving Nick a moment to hide whatever was on the computer —something Winters wouldn’t like. The screen was dark when Alex opened the door. Ethan raised an eyebrow, his expression wary but curious. Nick lounged in a chair, his burns now a faint flush, his glass of blood empty on the table. “Who’s this, and why is he in here?” Winters demanded, his gaze pinning Ethan like a specimen. “This is Ethan. He saw through the bracelet,” Alex said, his voice calm, though his pulse hadn’t slowed. Winters’ eyebrow arched, his glasses glinting. “What is he?” “Human,” Nick said, his voice low, his eyes flicking to Ethan with a predatory glint. “You’re sure?” Winters pressed, unconvinced. “I haven’t tasted him. But he smells it. Ash said so too.” Nick’s tone was casual, but his fingers tightened around the glass. “Did you test him for immunity?” Winters asked, his eyes narrowing. “Not yet, sir,” Alex lied, his jaw tightening. Ethan’s immunity to turning was a secret they needed to keep quiet. “Nick got burned today. He hasn’t been up for it.” “What happened?” Winters’ tone was sharp, his gaze shifting to Nick. “A car accident. A little girl. I couldn’t let her die,” Nick said, his voice softening, a rare glimpse of the compassion that drove him to risk sunrise. “There are other doctors. You have responsibilities,” Winters snapped, his glasses flashing under the lights. “I also have a responsibility to my patients,” Nick countered, his eyes glinting like obsidian. “I was the best one there. Do you want me to let them die? Isn’t that what this group’s about—protecting people?” Winters nodded, grudgingly. “You’re right. Thank you for taking the risk. When can you run the tests?” “Tomorrow, if nothing else happens. I’m staying in tonight.” Nick’s voice was firm. “Good. Keep me informed.” Winters’ tone was clipped, his attention shifting. “What brings you by?” Alex asked. “Charlotte. We took her into custody. What exactly happened?” Winters asked, his eyes locking on Nick. Alex glanced at Ethan, who leaned forward, his hands clasped on the glossy table. “My phone died, and I missed my bus, so I went into the bar to call for a ride. I saw Charlotte while I was on the phone and noticed her fangs. I didn’t say anything to her. I went back to the door to wait. Then Nick was there, telling her she shouldn’t be there and for me to leave. I’m not dumb enough to get between two vampires fighting.” Winters raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “You’re Nick’s alibi? Charlotte claims Nick took her there.” “I did no such thing,” Nick growled, his fangs glinting. “I want nothing to do with her. She hasn’t trusted me since I started working for you.” “When I first saw her, she was alone,” Ethan said, his voice steady. “Talk to Aaron, one of the bouncers. He knows me. He might’ve seen her. He definitely saw me.” “I was at the bar for an hour,” Nick added. “The bartender saw me.” “Anyone else?” Winters pressed. Nick shrugged. “Some woman named Tracey. Didn’t get her last name.” “Did you bite her?” “No. We talked. I bought her a drink. Then I saw Charlotte.” Nick’s voice was flat, his patience thinning. Jessica materialized, her ghostly form shimmering still in the blouse and jeans. She hadn’t been dead long enough to have learned how to change her appearance. “Am I interrupting?” Her voice was soft, but her eyes darted nervously. “Where are the others?” Alex asked, his stomach tightening. “Coming,” Jessica said, her form flickering. “Is Ash okay?” Alex pressed, his voice urgent. “No problems yet,” Jessica assured him, though her hesitation lingered. “Excuse me, I’ll check on them.” Alex hurried out, the door clicking behind him. He met Cassie and Ash on the stairs, Kellen trailing, his claws clicking. Ash’s eyes sparkled, her dark hair mussed from their girls’ night. Cassie’s oversized sweater hung loosely, her grin infectious. “Have fun?” Alex asked, forcing a smile, Winters’ threat echoing in his mind. “Yeah, we watched Resident Evil,” Ash said, bouncing slightly. “How is that a chick flick?” Alex asked, his brow furrowing. “The hero’s a chick,” Ash said, grinning. Alex rolled his eyes, exasperation tinged with fondness. “That’s not how it works. No zombies tonight.” “Only puppies and kitties,” Ash promised, her voice light. “There are zombie dogs in that movie. We don’t need those. Winters is here.” Alex’s tone sharpened, his eyes flicking to Cassie. “Jessica warned us,” Cassie said, her grin fading. “Ash took a sedative.” “I’ll be okay,” Ash insisted, her small hand brushing her sleeve, where the sedative’s effects lingered. “You better be. No real people tonight,” Alex said, his voice firm, Winters’ lobotomy threat a cold weight. Ash nodded, her enthusiasm dimming. Alex led them to the security room, the monitors’ hum greeting them as they entered. Winters glanced up, his glasses catching the light. “Everyone’s here. Good. I was just telling Nick and Ethan about Charlotte. She claims Nick dragged her to the bar. We’re inclined to believe Nick, but we must investigate. Charlotte stays in custody. Nick remains here unless working. Alex will drive him and handle his blood deliveries. We’ll get Ethan an ID for that.” Alex’s jaw tightened, the leash tightening. Ethan’s eyes narrowed, his fingers tapping the table. “I want a full range of tests on Ethan by week’s end,” Winters continued. “Seeing through illusions is enough to let him help, but I want to know what else he can do. Since Nick’s grounded, he’ll have time.” “Ethan works, so that’ll limit it,” Nick said, his voice edged, protective. “Or do you expect him to quit his job too?” “No, not yet. Work around his schedule,” Winters decided, his tone final. “What if we need to go out?” Alex asked, his voice steady but challenging. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Same for Nick.” “If we’re going out, Nick’s coming,” Alex insisted, his eyes locked on Winters. “We can’t be shorthanded. It’s too dangerous. Ethan can’t fight. Jessica’s stuck here. Cassie’s only good if the weather’s right. That leaves me and Kellen. The dog’s not enough.” Kellen, at Ash’s side, snorted softly, his ears twitching. “If there’s a need, we’ll talk,” Winters conceded, his frown deepening. “Then I’ll help with the investigation, speed it up,” Alex offered. “A few questions at the bar and near Charlotte’s place should clear it.” Winters nodded, reluctant. “Do so. Report to me before Nick leaves.” Alex nodded, his shoulders tense. Winters rose, his suit rustling. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters.” He swept out, Kellen trailing, his gaze lingering on the team. Alex and Nick exchanged a glance, the tension easing slightly. Cassie sighed, her shoulders slumping. Ash turned on the computer, her fingers flying across the touchscreen. “You need to go downstairs,” she said, her voice distant, the sedative dulling her usual spark. Alex frowned, the air heavy with unspoken questions. Ethan’s immunity, Charlotte’s lies, Winters’ threats—the S.P.A.’s grip tightened, and the shadows of the base seemed to close in, their secrets waiting to unravel. And now, what had Ash done?