Chapter One: After Midnight

The doors opened no wider than a hand's span, and tunnel wind poured in, smelling of river water and rust. “Are you insane?” The nurse caught her arm. “We're beneath the river.” “The train stopped beside a maintenance walk.” Jianyue pointed to the yellow railing below the window. She had noticed it in the reflection while photographing the moon. For the first time, the nurse's silver eyes seemed to regard a person rather than prey. She let go, then seized the vampire as he tried to follow. “Run.” Jianyue squeezed through the doors and dropped onto the narrow walkway. Metal tore behind her with a deafening groan. She did not look back. She counted evacuation markers as she ran. Two hundred meters, turn left, climb.