SANDRA HASN'T MOVED. WHEN I TURN TO HER, there is a spark of relief in her eyes. In the next instant it's replaced by fear and pain. She falls to her knees, doubled over, and a cry escapes her lips.

"What is it, Avery?" I say. "Your plans disrupted? You were clever, though; I never suspected Tamara."

I kneel beside Tamara's body and pull both chains over her head. The lockets are almost identical. "Which is yours, Sandra? Tell me and we can end this."

All she can do is clutch at her chest and throat. Avery prevents her from answering. He's exerting some kind of internal pressure that's choking her.

"Okay. We'll do it another way."

I approach Sandra, help her straighten enough to slip the chains over her head and let both lockets fall between her breasts.

There is an immediate howl of rage as Avery feels the talisman's power begin to usurp his own.

Sandra's strength is returning. She grabs my arm. "Go now. I'm going to make the change. Lock us down here when you go. Don't come back. If I survive, I'll contact you."

"I can't leave you. Avery is my enemy, too. There must be something I can do."

She shakes her head. "This is my battle. Once I change, Avery will try to make me attack you. I may not be able to prevent it."

Still, I can't bring myself to go.

Sandra's eyes become hard. "You are not helping. Every moment you remain, Avery exerts himself more. You must go. One of us must survive in case . . ."

She doesn't finish it. She doesn't have to. If Avery survives, if he comes after me again in her body, I'll know what to do.

"What about the rest of the pack? Can they help you?"

She shakes her head again. "I sent them back to Mexico. Only Tamara remained. I now know why. She and Avery had plans of their own."

"But why? What did she hope to gain?"

Sandra sweeps a hand in a wide arc. "This. Now go."