As we move deeper into the complex I am struck by how white and sterile everything is. It is feeling more and more like a hospital and as we move my fear increases. I know that Max will be able to smell it and as if sensing my unease he takes my hand and squeezes it.

“So,” Jonas says as he walks. “What happened to the cure?”

“We had to use it,” Max says, his voice a low rumble that echoes down the corridor.

“Had to use it…” Jonas looks shocked.

“Don’t you realise how important that was!” The woman says, her voice high and fast.

“Temple,” Jonas snaps. “I’m sure they had reason.”

“I did,” Max rumbles, but I can tell he is angry.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, trying to dispel the rising tension.

“How can you say that?” Temple says, rounding on me and stopping in the…

We drive around the back of the building through a gate and past more armed guards. Then Judge pulls up to a plain door.

“We’re here,” he says and turns to look at us. “Has anyone been bitten?”

We all shake our heads. Well, we haven’t in a sense, not in the way they think we have. Conor looks at us, but doesn’t say anything. I give him a quick reassuring smile.

“Then let’s go,” Judge says. He gets out of the car and Max opens the door. I’m surprised it opened, somehow I expected it to be locked. The other thing I’m shocked at is their acceptance that we haven’t been bitten. We could be lying.

Instead of voicing this I get out and start toward the door. Conor still has hold of me and I can feel a slight tremor from him. He is so scared.

“Can you…