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the Commandant’s tastes reflected in the decor. Dark paneling and green curtains. Pictures of landscapes and, she assumed, family hung from the walls. Books and bric-a-brac littered the shelves behind the large mahogany desk.
    Aalexis knew the desk was meant to intimidate people by making the commander seem large and important. Such psychological games were lost on her and Xaver, though.
    “Fräulein Aalexis and Herr Xaver.”
    The Commandant indicated with a wave of his hand for them to make themselves at home in the green-upholstered chairs. “Did you have an enjoyable flight?” he asked.
    One of the lessons she and her siblings had been taught was to appear polite before the bite. The bite was coming soon enough, and she saw no reason to engage in such petty subhuman niceties.
    “Yes. Thank you.”
    He looked at Xaver. “And the car was to your liking?”
    Xaver acknowledged his question with a curt nod.
    Alexis studied the commander. His height was within the acceptable parameters of the average male, a hard face with wrinkles engraved on his forehead and around his mouth. His file indicated fifty-six, but he looked older than her father had at seventy. His silver hair was neat and parted to the right, and the uniform he wore was ironed and sharp, polished medals of honor hanging from his chest. Hard, steely blue eyes tried to hide uncertainty as he stood behind the desk. Anxiety radiated from the commander of the camp. He feared her, as well he should.
    Nervousness was a sign of hesitation. Hesitation meant avoidance. Apparently, the commander didn’t have the information she sought.
    “Hans,” Aalexis paused as the commander’s eyebrows shot up. Apparently, he was unused to being addressed by his first name and appeared to be contemplating a reprimand, but when her eyes narrowed, his courage seemed to dwindle. Better for her to establish her position over him.
    “Let us put formalities aside for the time being,” she continued. “You know the reason why I am here.”

    Surprised the girl had the gall to address him so informally, Hans’ gaze swept from Aalexis to Xaver. Void of any emotion, both sat in the green chairs, still as statues, backs rigidly straight, hands resting on knees, like a perfect young lady and gentleman. Aalexis’ full lips curled into a chilling smile after she addressed him, her German accent strong. Xaver’s lips mimicked the falsity.
    They might look like regular teens in civilian clothing—him in a bright-colored sweater and jeans, she in a blue-and-white knit dress, his hair short, hers tied into a braid. Both were beautiful with flawless skin, his features chiseled and hers deceptively cherubic.
    Danger lurked behind the fa ç ade. Knowledge and secrecy lay hidden within the depths of their appearance. Their eyes were as cold and hard as the last time they had visited.
    Lifting his chin, Hans leaned back in his chair, his fingers folding across his chest. “I’m sorry to inform you, but as I stated during our last communication, there’s nothing new to report.” He was relieved the words sounded more confident than he felt.
    For a brief second, the fire of anger flickered behind Aalexis’ blue eyes, then extinguished into smoldering ashes of disgust. “I see,” she responded. “It is unfortunate. I was under the impression your camp was efficient.”
    Lifting his chin, Hans proudly stated, “My camp is the most feared.”
    “Yet you have no information about where the Renegade, Ellyssa, is hiding.”
    “It’s unfortunate, but I’m not surprised. It’s not unusual for the information to be kept secret. Many prisoners have died while under my command for their refusal to cooperate. Their loyalty to each other is unwavering.”
    Aalexis stared at him, her gaze steady, as if trying to pry the information from his mind. Her blue eyes amazingly cooled even more, although her face showed no change in emotion.
    A chill crept up Hans’ spine. His forehead pricked with