Saint Ivan Cathedral

Of course, the outcome Lieutenant Colonel Cynthia hoped for was never going to happen. For one thing, those two supposed enemies were far too weak. For another, none of the three, Green included, were fools. Instead, bad news kept reaching Cynthia, leaving her frantic and under immense pressure.

At the Fleidenburg Police Station, every officer on duty, including temporary staff and patrolmen, had assembled within twenty minutes. More than 230 people stood ready.

Under Director Bayley's leadership, the Fleidenburg Police Station was remarkably efficient. Its personnel were fully equipped, its ranks orderly, and its fighting strength considerable.

Director Bayley did not appear. Captain Sean took temporary command. Once the force had assembled, he shouted an order and waved them toward the exit.

Just then, a small figure walked through the station gates. Several ravens flew in overhead, cawing as they circled the officers gathered in the yard.

"Where did this kid come from? Do you know what this place is?" Sean shouted in frustration. He had been ordered to lead the force out and was about to depart, only to find a little girl blocking the gates. It infuriated him. But he was a captain; he had no need to deal with her himself. A glance was enough to send someone else.

A fierce-looking young officer in a black uniform, with a pistol on his back and a baton at his waist, hurried over to Freya. He was about to shove her out of the way when he noticed that the grubby little girl was strikingly beautiful.

A vicious idea stirred in the young officer's mind.

Before becoming a police officer, he had run with a gang. He knew exactly how much a girl with looks like hers could fetch. If he caught her and delivered her to Boss Sislame,