Chapter 6 · The Train That Misses Midnight

"Get in," Mara said, already on the platform.

I looked at the train. Wrong direction. Wrong time. The LED above the door read 11:53.

"That thing's moving," I said.

"So move faster." She grabbed my jacket and yanked me through the gap. The doors slammed shut behind us, catching the edge of my sleeve. I ripped it free and stumbled into the empty car.

Empty except for her.

And the blood on the floor.

"Whose is that?" I asked.

"Not mine." Mara was already at the far end, checking the next car through the window. "Not yet."

"That's not funny."

"Wasn't a joke." She turned back, and her face was different. No more investigator mask. Just someone who'd been running too long. "Your sister called from inside a door that shouldn't exist. You shot out four hunters' lights instead of putting one in my chest. So now we're both on the wrong side of the city's list, and this train's the only thing still moving after midnight."

"It's 11:53," I said.

"Look again."

I looked at the LED. It still read 11:53.