Chapter 21: NegotiationsI paced dejectedly through the narrow streets, my mind a maelstrom of swirling images, my heart aching at the thought of burning that mark on children and babies. The thought of doing it to Katie – who looked at me with complete trust and implicitly believed in me, was more than I could possibly bear. Unfortunately, without the mark they would be stuck out there, on their own without protection from the Consiliului. It was an impossible situation, one I could see no way of overcoming. Everything we'd tried to get into Zaen had failed – except that mark. The majority who would be entering through the gates had a percentage of demon blood and had no way of gaining access without the mark. There were a percentage of our group who were human and I guessed they would me

