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watched him walk away, too stunned by what had just happened to prevent him. He actually plucked her hand off his sleeve. Did he think he could offer her such an insult and survive it? He was either incredibly stupid or the most arrogant man she’d ever met. She took a step after him and forced herself to stop, nails digging bloody half-moons into her palms as she struggled to control her rage.
    No, she told herself. Not here. It’s too public.
    It was too likely she’d be interrupted before he really started to pay.
    According to the little tête-a-tête he’d had with Jacqueline, Aurek Nuikin intended to spend his time searching the ruins of the city. A great many unpleasant things could happen to a man in an abandoned building, Louise mused darkly, eyes glittering in the lamplight. Especially an abandoned building in Pont-a-Museau.

    Outside on the terrace, the night was darker than Dmitri remembered its being. The wine made the shadows whisper and move in ways shadows were not supposed to. With his left arm tucked in the crook of Yves’s elbow, and with Chantel a warm presence at his other side, he staggered over the uneven paving stones toward the river. “Where are we going?”
    “For a walk.”
    “Where are the others?”
    “Behind us.” Chantel pushed closer, and Dmitri could feel the heat even through his clothing and hers. Her hair gleamed in the lamplight, the flickering flames adding color to the pale blonde curls.
    He half-turned, saw a pile of cloth on the path, and thought he saw a humped shadow move toward the river. There could be no mistaking the silhouette. Rat. But far larger than any rat he’d ever seen—and during the short time he’d been in Pont-a-Museau he’d seen some big rats. Before he could say anything, he stumbled. Yves caught him and, laughing, set him back on his feet.
    Dmitri searched the limited visibility thrown by a single lamp hanging high on a canted pole. “Where’s Chantel?” He peered around in confusion. One minute she’d been by his side; the next she was gone. “It’s not safe for her to wander off. I just saw the biggest rat.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.”
    “Show me.”
    He turned, but except for Yves, the path was empty. Not only was there no rat, but his new friends had disappeared as well. “Where are the twins? And Annette? And Georges?”
    “Annette and Georges are also twins. Henri and Aubert merely work harder at using it for protective camouflage.”
    “But where are they?”
    “Perhaps the rat got them.”
    It had been a very large rat. Dmitri searched the shadows and finally turned back to Yves. “I think we should …” he began, but Yves was gone too. “Come on, guys, quit fooling around.” The wine had wrapped his head in sticky fog. “Aren’t we a little old for hide-and-seek?” When no one answered, he giggled. “Okay, I guess not. I’m it. Ollie, ollie, all in …”
    Claws scraped against stone, and a large heavy shape brushed up against his legs. He whirled, was pushed from another direction. Whirled again, nearly fell, got shoved two steps closer to the river.

    Clasping trembling hands behind his back, Aurek searched the ballroom for his brother. His emotions in turmoil, he was furious at himself for forgetting, even for a moment, the reason he’d come to Pont-a-Museau. How could he have been so distracted? How could he have been so inconstant?
    He thought he heard the sound of manic laughter, and he welcomed the welts it left upon his soul.
    When he found Dmitri, they were leaving. Let the boy whine and complain, but he had been reminded of his purpose, and he would not lose it again.
    “If you’re looking for that pretty brother of yours,” Joelle told him, swaying into his line of sight and smelling strongly of brandy, “he went outside with my youngest brother and his friends.”
    Aurek curtly inclined his head, ignored the wanton invitation in her glittering eyes, and made his way toward the terrace windows.

    By the