“No, she isn’t.”

“Yes, Ali, she is.” His gaze leveled on me. “Like the visions, what you see is not always the truth. You focus on the hurt she projects and never dig past the surface to see the rage bubbling deep inside, desperate for release.”

“No—”

“You baby her,” he continued, “and that’s the last thing she needs.”

I stomped my foot. “You didn’t see her during our capture or after the attack.”

“Doesn’t matter. I see her now.”

Mackenzie patted his shoulder. “You gonna stand here all night, Gav, or go get your girl?”

Meaning, she wanted Chance away from Jaclyn.

What a night.

As the zombies continued to fight in the pit, I noticed Camilla had wandered to the far edge of the courtyard to drink a cup of beer in private.

I joined her. “How do you capture them?”

She pressed her lips together and pretended I wasn’t there. But I didn’t go away, and finally she sighed. “We patrol every night, and on the occasions zombies come out, we collar as many as we can and kill the others. And if you dare tell me we’re being cruel to zombies, I think I’ll smash your face.”

“Emotionless husks of evil will never get my sympathy.”

“All right, then,” she said. She looked over my shoulder and nodded. “You’ll have to excuse me. I’m needed elsewhere.” She took off for...wherever.

I wasn’t alone for long. A boy-man hybrid bounded over and handed me a cup of beer. I thanked him even though I knew I wouldn’t be drinking the contents. My dad had been an alcoholic, and I’d hated watching his decline; I’d always (mostly) avoided alcohol like the plague.

“Can’t have you feeling left out,” he said with a grin. He had at least ten long, thick scars on his face, making the plainness of his features hauntingly tragic.

“Thank you,” I said again.

“No prob. Hey, I saw your fight the last time you were here. Not that it was really a fight. You were too hard-core for it to be fair. But, man, I was blown away. Never seen anything like it.” He peered at me from under a thick fan of lashes. “So...how’d you do it?”

“It’s just something I can do.”

“Well, you should think about getting in the pit tonight. We’ve been talking about you, and the guys that missed it will do just about anything for the chance to watch you work.”

“Maybe another time,” I said. To me, zombie killing was a business—a privilege—not a sport.

Cole appeared at my side, glaring at the boy—who held up his palms and backed away.

“We found out what Hodad means,” Cole said the moment we were alone.

The reprimand I’d been about to deliver died in my throat. “Well? Tell me.”

Motions clipped, he took the cup of beer and set it aside. “Hands of death and destruction.”

Oh...crap.

“River’s guys found Dr. Rangarajan, too,” he added. “We’re sending a team to pick him up and bring him here. He might be able to tell us where the boys are being kept.”

Glancing over his shoulder, I watched as River spoke to Gavin and Bronx, probably explaining the situation. Well, no probably about it. The three guys plus two others stalked from the courtyard.

“You’re not going with them?” I asked.

“I delegated. Come on.” He led me out of the building and across the cold, night-darkened street.

“Where are we going?”

“The safe house.”

Alone? Together? For the lecture...or something else?

The building was smaller than River’s, a little more run-down, but safety measures had already been taken. Cole had to punch in a code to open the front door. Inside, what had once most likely been a hotel lobby had been transformed into a rocking living room, with a large-screen TV, two couches and multiple recliners. There was a beautiful hand-knotted rug in front of a cracked marble hearth.

“It’s been furnished,” I said, surprised.

“Only this room.” He built a fire. “Look. I know you, and I know you’re thinking it’ll be okay for you to trade yourself for Justin.”

Lecture. Great. I got comfortable on the rug.

“But it’s not okay. Not now, not later. And don’t even think about arguing. I lead the slayers. Hence, I lead you. I make the decisions, and you do what I say.”

He’d met me, right? “The only reason I’m not knocking you to your knees and making you beg for mercy right now is because I know you’re speaking from a place of deep concern for me. But, Cole? You are seriously irritating the crap out of me.”

He sat in front of me. I yanked at the collar of his shirt and let the material snap back into place.

“You’re either my boyfriend or my boss,” I said. “You can’t be both. Pick one.”

He scooted closer to me, so close I basically had to straddle his lap to remain upright. Big hardship. His chest brushed against mine, and whether accidental or intentional, it thrilled me.

“If it means keeping you safe,” he said, “I pick boss.”

As different emotions played havoc with my heartbeat, the scent of strawberries teased me. “Best-case scenario, I don’t have to trade myself. I make Ethan think I’m willing and strike at him. And yes, he will attempt to double-cross us the same way we’ll attempt to double-cross him. But you’re acting like we can’t win.” I tried to mask my breathlessness as he traced his fingertips over my spine. “There’s a chance we can save the boys and deliver a major blow to Anima at the same time.”