I looked at the package in my hand, the leather book suddenly feeling like lead.

The phone in my pocket began to vibrate once more, the screen glowing bright blue in the dim room.

I pressed the button and put it to my ear, my hand shaking so hard the phone nearly slipped.

“Evelyn,” a voice said, sharp and clear.

It was Vance.

“We have the girl,” he said.

“If you want to see her again, bring the book to the warehouse on Tenth Street.”

“And don’t tell Ethan.”

The line went dead, the silence returning to the dark house.

I looked at Mary, her eyes filled with tears as she watched me.

“What do we do?” she whispered.

I looked at the leather book in my hand, the gold lettering on the cover shining in the lamp light.

The castle had not fallen.

It had just changed hands.

And the real fight was about to begin.

I turned toward the door, my hand reaching for the handle.

“We go to Tenth Street,” I said.

And the cold air of the Chicago winter welcomed us back into the night.