The hunters are silent. No shrieking laughter, no ululating howls, no clattering weapons and footsteps. I can barely hear them back there at all--just whispers and the rustling of wings and rags.
The quiet makes it all the worse as I run.
Heart hammering in my chest, I race to the end of the corridor and burst through the oak double doors there. Beyond the doors, I find myself in a vast arboretum, teeming with tropical trees and flowers.
Without stopping, I draw my cell phone and send a text message to my partner. At least I had the sense to post him elsewhere in case I needed backup.
Now, if only Gunza didn't think to wish for Magda to block outgoing phone signals.
As I pocket the phone, I hear brush shuddering behind me. Ducking off the gold-bricked path, I bolt through the thi
