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and soon they saw a large body of water, the name of which was labeled on various faded metal signs.
    â€œSan Francisco Bay,” whispered Rathbone, now at the wheel of his Jeep. “Been ten long hours. We’ll take shelter for the night just up the road.”
    â€œIs there a new safehold in this area that I don’t know about?” Piper asked.
    â€œUnder-bay storage,” said Rebecka, who was sitting in the back. “Across the bridge and up just a ways by a little town that used to be called Strawberry.”
    The group crossed a bridge and skirted Richardson Bay, just above San Francisco Bay, and reached Strawberry soon after. A huge cargo warehouse, still fully intact, stretched along the water. The warehouse was an eyesore, rusted and covered with decades of dirt. Piper was surprised when Rathbone brought his convoy to a halt behind it.
    â€œHoney, we’re home,” Rathbone said with a chuckle.
    â€œThis place? You’ve got to be kidding.”
    â€œEven ferals wouldn’t swarm this old rust bucket. Besides, you’re seeing the outside, not what’s important.”
    Rathbone took a small pen from his pocket and pointed it at a dark opaque circle attached to the side of the building and centered above a set of massive gates. He clicked the pen, and the rusted doors slid open with a high-pitched squeal. Rathbone drove inside the old building, whose nearly spotless interior had been modified into a military safehold.
    â€œBrilliant,” Piper said, smiling at Rathbone.
    â€œTold you so.”
    The other vehicles entered the warehouse until more than six hundred men and women were safely inside. Rathbone exited his Jeep and nodded to Rebecka, who disappeared into the crowd to give orders. Soon a group of armed men was stationed at the opening, and other groups were patrolling the perimeter. Piper smiled as she watched Rebecka take command. She had come a long way since their younger days together, when Rebecka was an occasionally rebellious and always unpredictable teenager.
    Rebecka rejoined Rathbone, and they made additional assignments, sending groups to perform various tasks, including checking the bunkers below the warehouse, preparing meals, and tending to the injured.
    â€œRathbone Hayes, it’s nice to see you’re still on top of things,” Rebecka said to him.
    â€œHush,” he whispered. “No one knows my last name except you, and maybe a few others. Let’s keep it that way. The name Rathbone is legendary enough.”
    â€œYour secret is safe with me, cousin , ” she replied.
    â€œThe hyenas have arrived, sir,” a young woman said, interrupting their conversation.
    â€œLet them in, but spread the word to keep an eye out,” Rathbone said. “I don’t trust a one of them.”
    The young woman went to the door to let in the hyena men and women, who had returned to their human forms.
    Piper began to search for the flatbed that carried her daughters. She found it and entered through the back flap. “How are they?” she asked the hollowed-eyed doctor and the two teenage boys beside him. A hand touched her shoulder, and she flinched.
    â€œIt’s just me,” Rebecka said from behind her. “Figured you’d be here.”
    Abby was calmer, worn out from fighting against her restraints, but she growled under her breath at the sight of Piper. Pippa was still unconscious, but her breathing had stabilized.
    â€œCan I touch her?” Piper whispered. Jack nodded. Piper knelt beside her daughter and took her hand. Pippa’s palm was moist, but the top of her hand was smooth. As Piper rubbed her daughter’s skin, she started to cry softly.
    â€œWho are you?” Abby whispered.
    Piper turned to meet her gaze. “I’m your mother,” she said before Jack could stop her.
    â€œYou’re lying!” Abby screamed, and she began to struggle against her restraints.
    â€œNo,”