Graced by Sophia Sharp Page A

them?”
    “They could very wel be,” Logan said. “And that is before accounting for any other Vassiz the elders sent after we escaped.”
    “So between al that,” Madison said, “where we have to go is essential y a beehive swarming ful of hostile Vassiz .”
    Laura shot her a crude smile. “Could it get any worse?”
    “Yes,” Alexander said gravely, causing everyone’s head to swirl right to him. “It could also very easily be a trap. Madison was right. A single, narrow path to the entrance marks a great spot for an ambush. There were others guarding the mil , after al .”
    “The question is,” Logan said, “what are our options now?”
    “Wel , the only reason we’re going there is to see if we can find Rafael, right?” Laura thought out loud.
    “And if he’s alive – as both Madison and Alexander assume he is – I’m sure he would have steered the Vassiz who came in after us into another corner. A perpetual loop, maybe, down in the mazes. He seemed to know the entire layout of the sanctuary, didn’t he? Remember how he picked up on our coming through?” Logan nodded in affirmation. “So our hope rests on two variables: one, if Rafael is alive; and two, if the Vassiz who are after us are stil down there.”
    “Poor odds for such a big risk,” Logan commented.
    “But it’s something we have to do,” Laura countered. “There’s no way for us to move forward unless we find out more about the elders.”
    “Wait a minute,” Madison said, thinking, “I know they were chasing after you. But, they haven’t actual y seen you, have they?”
    “They’ve seen me,” Laura said, confused about Madison’s question. “They know what I look like – the elders showed them in the dream.”
    “Yes,” Madison said, “but not since your transformation. And definitely not after your first feeding. You’ve changed since then.”
    “Do I look that different?”
    “I could hardly recognize you when we found you in the chamber,” Madison offered. “The visual changes that occur fol owing a Vassiz ’s first feeding are typical y most noticeable. Yours, however, were completely profound.”
    “Real y?” Laura brought a hand up to her cheek, feeling her face. It felt the same, but then again, she remembered that one time she had been able to glance at herself in a mirror, back in that abandoned barn. She did look different then; more perfect than she ever remembered herself being. And if the changes had continued on since then…
    “You look the same to me,” Logan said, surprising her when he kissed her forehead lightly, “but maybe you have changed enough to get away without being noticed by others.”
    “Besides,” Madison continued, “you and Logan are the only ones the other Vassiz are after. For now. Alexander and I should be able to walk right through a pack of Vassiz without raising any questions.”
    “Are you suggesting…?” Laura began.
    “That we go first?” Madison finished her question. “Yes. And while I know how much you dislike us splitting up, it may be a necessity here.”
    “Wait a second,” Laura said, final y thinking straight. “What if Gray were to go down the tunnel? He could tel me if the way is blocked or not. It would be a natural spot for him – bears hibernate in winter, after al , and live in caves like that. And the advantage is that none of the Vassiz would notice him. Besides,”
    she said, glancing back at him, “he has proven he can take care of himself.”
    “Send Gray in our place?” Alexander mused. “That’s not something I would have suggested myself, but since you bring it up… it may actual y be a good idea.”
    “You can get him to do that?” Logan asked.
    “Sure,” Laura said. “It seems like the safest option for al of us.”
    “Alright then,” Logan shrugged. “If you can do it, we may as wel . When can he go?”
    “Right now,” Laura said, and whistled through her teeth. Gray sauntered over. She placed her hand on his