I dreamed. Kind of. I mean, images flooded in, but they were a bit vivid to be a dream.

I was in my office, seated at my desk. Impossible, since the place had just blown up, also impossible since the two people across from me were Lash and… me.

"Oh, star and stones. What do you want?" I demanded of my doppelganger.

He smiled, and looked roguishly handsome doing it, too. For some reason, his five o'clock shadow looked good, coupled with his laid-back demeanour. For some other reason, I just really wanted to punch him.

"Hey, I just want what you want."

"No, you want what I think I want."

"Which boils down to the same thing."

"The hell it does."

"Why do you fight me so much?"

"To stay human."

He looked at Lash. "I thought that was why you fought her?"

"No, that's why I fought her big sister, and don't change the subject. I get along better with Lash than I do you."

"We both get along better with her than with each other."

"Finally, we agree on something." I stood up and leaned across the desk. "What. Do. You. Want?"

"The same thing I always want," he said, completely unintimidated. "To point something out that you're ignoring."

I rolled my eyes and looked at Lash.

She shrugged. "I'm sorry, Harry. This wasn't my idea."

I leaned back and rubbed my eyes. "I can't believe I'm giving myself a headache," I mumbled. "Fine. What is it?"

"You know by now that I don't just tell you things."

"Of course not. Because that would be easy and straight forward and make sense. I am you, you know. Why don't you just make is easy on both of us?"

My other self sighed. "Fine. Two things. One, you need to talk to Murphy."

"About what?"

"Elaine, obviously."

"What about Elaine?"

He sighed again and looked at me.

"Oh, no. Been down that road."

"And you've wanted to go back ever since."

"We've both moved on."

"Or, have you come full circle?"

I sat back down and caressed the bridge of my nose. "I'm not going to win this one, am I?"

"You really can't lose this argument, Harry. You're on both sides of it."

"Lash," I said, turning to her, "what do you think?"

She looked surprised. She glanced back and forth at both of me before saying, "About a human relationship?"

"Yeah. You told me Molly was the only compatible partner for me. What do you think now?"

She looked confused for another minute, then said, slowly, "Well, she is no longer available. And Karrin Murphy is still hesitant."

"What about Susan?"

"She will not allow herself to be with you. For your safety."

I leaned back in my chair. Abruptly, I crossed my arms and looked at the other me again. "What was the second thing?"

My inner self took a turn standing and leaning, and he made it look better than I had. "Do you really think Deirdre could have planned this curse ritual alone?"

I stared at him. "I know what you're saying. But he's dead."

"Are we sure?"

I looked away, not wanting to face him. Not wanting to face the possibility.

"Harry, if I'm asking this question, I already know the answer. And so do you."

"Nicodemus is pure evil. I don't want him to be alive."

"I know. Believe me, neither do I. But you have to accept the chance."

"Fine. Accepted. As unlikely as it is, considering the choking and the drowning, he might still be alive. Anything else?"

"One other thing."

"What?"

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Suffering alone."

"What do you mean?"

"Everything that happened after the time travelling? It's not all your fault."

"I know that."

"It's McCoy's."

"What?" I jumped to my feet.

"You know it's true. He told you himself."

"It was an accident!"

"Yes, it was. A lousy accident. But for some reason, bad things have been happening around you ever since. Well, bad things have probably been happening to him, too. We distorted time itself, and you understand physics, Harry. Time, space, matter, energy. They're all related. You damage one… there are consequences with the others."

I closed my eyes again.

"Make McCoy talk to you," my other self said, though his voice was fading. "There are things he's not telling you."

Like I didn't know.

The ride out to the marina was tense. We went in a van that Lara had arranged. It was spacious and comfortable, and the heater worked. That was important, because the sun I'd seen earlier had vanished. The temperature had dropped, and it appeared that winter, a little late, had finally arrived.

In retrospect, that should have tipped me off to a few things that happened a couple weeks later, but that's another story.

I sat next to Elaine, and Mouse and Murphy sat behind us. Thomas drove next to his sister. Murphy was saying, "I couldn't get Tilly, or Rawlins. Left messages, but they haven't called back."

"Graver?"

"Story of the day; he's looking into a missing child."

Something clicked in my head. "There weren't any other children there," I mumbled.

"What, Harry?" Elaine asked.

"In Undertown. There weren't any other children. Just the White Court descendants. If that ritual has to be prepared with the blood of innocents… where were the rest of the innocents?"

No one had an answer for me.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the marina. I checked the dash clock: it was 12:50. Good time.

The instant I got out the side of the van, I knew I was being watched. I'm not sure what set it off, just a little stirring of energies, but I knew there were eyes on me. it didn't feel hostile.

I turned back to the van. "Wait. Something's off, here." Everyone looked at me.

Lara looked out into the parking lot, over the boats, and back to the cars. "Your instincts are remarkable, wizard."

"Where is he?"

"Three car lengths back, 6 cars to the right. Black sedan. He's alone."

I nodded. "Murph?" She got out, we turned, I shook out my shield bracelet, and we started walking, my staff bumping on the ground.

He got out of the car when we were close. It was the quiet, slim FBI agent I'd met yesterday evening. He wore a suit and one of those thin FBI jackets they seem to all have. Got to get me one of those. You know, to blend in. "Mr. Dresden," he said, nodding.

"Hey, Slim. What's up?"

He looked at me in silence for a second, then turned to Murph. "Karrin."

"Hi, Till."

My head whipped back and forth between them. "You two… this is your friend from the FBI?"

Murphy nodded and introduced us. "Barry Tilly, Harry Dresden."

Tilly stuck out his hand and I shook it. As I did, I felt a slight tingle, a tiny wavering in the energy around him. He had a small, but highly potent, magical talent. He probably wasn't aware of it. Interesting. He looked at my hand, and stiffened a little, like he'd just received a shock. Maybe he had.

"Pleasure," he said, unsure.

"Same. So you're the inside man, huh?"

"Oh, please. Don't go saying it like that. Karrin and I have sparred together, that's all."

"And I trust him," she added.

I looked at her. "Trust him completely?"

She nodded.

"I'll trust you, too, if you'll answer a few questions," Tilly said.

"Does it have to be now?"

"Pretty much. We can do it right here, if you like. Or we can go elsewhere."

I liked that he didn't say 'Downtown'. It's cliché. "We don't really have a lot of time," I said, glancing out at the water. It was choppy, and what looked like a heavy storm front was rolling down from the north, over the lake. My hand ached.

"Will this take long?"

"Doesn't have to." He lifted his chin towards the water. "Are you planning on leaving town?"

"Only briefly. If I'm not back tomorrow, it's because I'm dead."

"Funny. Look, I want to keep this civil. Karrin says she trusts you, without question. That's high praise."

"It is," I agreed, without looking at her.

"She also told me that she would back anything you say, without even hearing it first."

"And I'd back her." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Murph take a deep breath, maybe straighten her back a little.

"Good. So I have to ask you; did you blow up your office?"

"No."

He stared at me for about five seconds, then said, "I believe you."

My eyebrows jumped. "That easy?"

He shrugged. "I can tell when I'm being lied to. I'm not right now." The simple strength I'd felt in his talent would make it very easy for him to be a human lie detector. "I should tell you," he continued, "There are a few colleagues of mine who are seeking, and I think, are about to get, a search warrant for your apartment."

"They're still watching it?" I asked.

He nodded.

Something occurred to me. "How'd you know we'd be here?"

He smirked. "Had a hunch. Looked into who else had lived in your apartment. The name Thomas Raith came up; he worked for a few fast food places around town, gave your address, during a time when you still lived there. I've got someone watching his apartment, too, but, for some reason, I thought you'd go for the boat."

"Smart."

"I have to be."

"Because it's your job?"

"Sort of; most of the guys doing this job are morons. Someone has to be smart."

I smiled. I liked this guy. And, suddenly, didn't want him to get hurt. "Murph, can I borrow your, um, passkey?"

"What?"

I pointed to her neck.

Surprised, she reached up and removed the amulet I'd given her a few years back. It let her get past the wards around my apartment. I took it and passed it to Tilly. "Do yourself a favour, Slim. Make sure you're the first one through the door when they do get the warrant."

"Why, exactly?" He just held the necklace like it was a piece of garbage.

"The place doesn't look like much, but it's my home. I have quite the anti-burglar system. That'll disarm it."

"What if we just cut the power?"

"Not that kind of anti-burglar system."

He looked at me funny. I get that a lot. "What'll happen if I don't go in first?" he asked.

I answered honestly. "The first guy through will be thrown 50 feet through the air, into the road. The second guy will get an electric shock. Very painful. Third guy might get set on fire. I can't quite remember. It goes on like that."

He looked at me like I was crazy, but he knew I was serious. And Murphy gave him a serious look, too. Then he looked at the amulet again, with newfound respect. "This is, what, a remote?"

"Kind of. Limited range, though. So once you get in, hang it on the keyhook next to the door." Not exactly what the pass had been designed for, and this use would probably burn it out in a few hours, but it should keep all those FBI agents from getting tossed and fried.

"And," I added, "as a favour, would you mind stacking my books nicely? Some of them are hard to find. And be gentle with the movie posters. A couple of them are originals." He still looked sceptical, but he put the amulet in his pocket.

"I have your word?" he asked. "You'll be back in town tomorrow?"

"Look, Tilly. I don't have much. Especially now that my office has been replaced with a smoking crater. But I take my word seriously."

He nodded. "Alright. I'll do what I can to keep them off you. I can only give you about 24 hours."

"Perfect. Have fun at my place. Please don't break anything. I'm trusting you. Now, we really should be going." I turned to walk away.

"What kind of trouble did you get in, Karrin?" he asked.

"Missing kid, Till."

He snorted. "Welcome to the club."

I stopped short. Something clicked, again.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, turning.

"What, you didn't know? The Bureau's been helping out the PD. SI was even reassigned. They've had almost 30 under-12s go missing in the last three days in the greater Chicago area. Current theories are an internet gag the kids are pulling themselves, or a cult."

"Son of a bitch," I cursed. My hand tightened on my staff and the pain intensified. I welcomed it. I finally eased up when I heard a crack from the wood. Murphy and I looked at each other. I think her face, cold and furious, mirrored mine.

"It's not a gag. Thanks, Till," she said, and we marched back to the van.

As we got there, the Alphas pulled up in their van. Elaine and Thomas were standing next to Lara's window. "Any trouble?" he asked.

"Not here," I said. I turned to the lake. "Out there, on the other hand…"

Billy came up to us. "We good to go?"

I checked. Elaine and Murphy were suiting up. A look back showed me Tilly's car, pulling away. I looked at Lara. "Are we?"

"Of course. The boat's waiting."

I threw the Swords over my shoulder, and the twelve of us - thirteen, including Mouse - tromped down the pier. The Water Beetle, Thomas' old, converted fishing trawler, was moored – which is water-talk for 'tied up' – two piers down. Six, maybe eight people would fit on it comfortably. I saw it floating there, kind of lonely-looking and briefly felt sorry for it. I hadn't spent a lot of time on boats, but it was my favourite. A few trips with my brother, and it had felt like a home away from home.

"Here we are," Lara said.

I turned. My jaw dropped. "This… is a yacht."

The yacht – it seemed insulting to call it a boat - was almost twice the length of, and had a good ten feet of height on, the Water Beetle. It was curvy and sleek and pure white, with chrome and glass here and there. The name, emblazoned in fine lettering on the side, was Madeline.

"Yes, wizard," she said, with just a hint of pride. "A birthday present from my father. Named after my poor, departed cousin, of course. In her memory." There was a twinkle in her eye as she said it. A horrible, evil, scary twinkle. Then we were following her up the gangplank or whatever the hell it's called and through a glass door.

I took in the layout of the boat as best I could. Most of the yacht was enclosed, which would make the trip out much more comfortable. There was a rail running around the entire boat, with a very narrow walkway.

Inside, of course, was beautiful; hardwood floors, nice art hanging on the walls, great lighting, including a chandelier… and the entire front half of the cabin, surrounded on all sides by windows, was a bed, only slightly tousled.

Really had that homey feel to it.

"I'll get the engines started. If one or two of you would be kind enough to cast us off? The rest of you, make yourselves comfortable."

She disappeared up a staircase. Elaine stepped up next to me, glaring at the bed. "Like that would be possible here," she said under her breath.

I snorted. A glance over my shoulder told me Will and David were heading back out into the cold to haul in the ropes tying us to the dock. Mouse threw a look at the giant bed and let out short, low growl before turning his back on it. Everyone else seemed to be wandering a bit, no one willing to sit down or relax. Good.

Will and David came back in, and about that moment, we heard the engines fire up. Lara came back down from the bridge or control room or whatever you call it. "Harry? Would you be a dear and show me the way?"

"You don't know?"

She rolled her eyes. "Normally, I have a driver. But I'm keeping this situation between family and friends."

I was uncomfortable with the way her eyes lingered on Murphy and Georgia when she said 'friends.' "Alright, fine." Anything to get her out of the room.

I followed her upstairs. The bridge was fancier than the Water Beetle's, in part because it was enclosed, and had much nicer panelling. We cleared the marina's breakwater, and I felt the water roughen.

I showed her the heading to hold, and watched as her hands danced over the controls. "You know this ship quite well, for someone who usually has a driver."

"Sailing was a passion my father passed on to me over two centuries ago. I try to keep up with the times."

I grunted. Then she did something I didn't even know you could do with a boat: she flicked the auto-pilot switch. "Radar, sonar, and GPS guided. We'll stay on course, and avoid any objects, like reefs or other boats."

"Fancy."

"Quite."

"And costly."

She smiled, and it made my body respond in a naughty way. "Daddy spared no expense." I swallowed hard and turned back to the stairs. She followed me down. Everyone was waiting, and all eyes were on me as we emerged. Except Murph and Thomas. They were watching Lara, very closely.

Just about everyone was sitting, on the floor, chairs, or the kitchenette counter. Everyone had avoided the bed.

Elaine stood up. "So. Please tell us you've got a plan. 'Cause we're a little anxious, here."

I took a deep breath, then grabbed a chair from the kitchenette and straddled it. With the movement of the boat, it was easier said than done. "Okay. First thing. Once we're tied off, I need to get ashore. Once I'm on the land, I can tell where everyone and everything on the island is, and how many there are. Hopefully, Dominic, and, I think, as many as 30 other children, will be apart from the bad guys."

"30?" Elaine said.

"According to sources."

"What if they aren't by themselves?" Will asked.

"If it's vampires guarding them, I trust you guys can handle it. Mouse will go with you, one way or the other. If it's Deirdre, we all go, as a group. If she's not with the kids… Alphas are on rescue duty. The rest of us will find her, and keep her, and God forbid, any other Denarians off you."

"There shouldn't be vampires, should there? I mean, we'll get there before dark, won't we?"

"Take a look out the window, Will." We all did. The storm clouds cast a pall over everything, and the afternoon sun hardly illuminated the grey waters. "It is after dark."

"What about the Swords?" Thomas asked.

I looked over by the door, where I had left them lying on the floor. "I don't know. They have a strange way of telling people how and when to use them. At the moment… we wait."

Thomas looked at them, too, but didn't say anything. He just nodded.

"Alright, folks. Sharpen the claws and clean the guns. At the rate we're going, we'll be there in a little under an hour."

40 minutes later, guns were checked, armour was adjusted, clothes were tucked in and hair was swept back.

And my hand was killing me. I was the only person stupid enough to be outside. The deck at the back of the boat was broad, but not terribly long. I sat in a canvas chair that swivelled on a pole bolted to the deck, looking out at the water and the almost vanished horizon. The engines beneath me were loud.

I sat off to one side, and felt a little spray coming up. The water was still choppy, but not exactly rough. As I watched, snow began to come down. The storm would hit land in about an hour.

Lash sat next to me, in a chair that wasn't really there. "I cannot block the pain," she said clearly over the engine noise.

"Why not?"

"It is caused by the Soulfire you injected into your muscles. The pain, as with the strength you infused yourself with, will remain for a time. As you have seen before, the Fallen have a weakness to Soulfire."

I growled something incomprehensible and went back to rubbing my knuckles. Behind me, I heard a door slide. "Harry?" a voice called.

Lash and her chair vanished as I turned. "Elaine."

"It's freezing out here." She had found a jacket and zipped it tight.

"I know. It's invigorating."

"Hand still bothering you?"

"Just a little."

She slid the door shut, came over to me, kneeled down, and took my hand between both of hers. She pulled the fingers straight, and kissed the palm. It was a quick, business-like kiss. Then she sandwiched it between her own hands and closed her eyes.

"New technique?"

"One I don't use much," she said back. Slowly, the pain in the joints receded. It wasn't gone, but it wasn't nearly as annoying. The stiffness disappeared. She smiled. "I usually focus on the nerves and muscles. Thought I'd try the bones, this time."

"Thank you." I stretched out the fingers for the first time all day, though I couldn't quite make a fist. "Oh, that feels good." Without thinking, I reached out and stroked a finger down her face, gently.

She looked surprised, but only for a second. Then she leaned into it. I realised what I was doing… but I didn't pull away. We stayed like that for a moment, neither of us really wanting to stop. Finally, I glanced away. I caught a look at the sliding door.

Murphy was standing there, in full battle gear and with an unreadable expression on her face. Elaine turned around, and we both stood. Murph came out on to the deck. "Harry, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked.

"Uh," I replied.

Elaine headed for the door. "I'll just be inside," she said.

The two women looked at each other, exchanged quick nods, and I was left alone with a girl who could easily kick my ass overboard if she so chose.

"Look, Murph," I said, "I don't know what that looked like - "

"Harry, shut up," she said. Her face wasn't upset, and her voice was soft. She took a few step towards me, and a small smile curled the corners of her mouth. "Look, I want you to know… you have my blessing."

"I – your what?"

"Blessing. Or permission, or whatever you want to call it. I'm okay with you and Elaine."

I didn't fully understand what I was hearing. I began to sputter. "But… Karrin, Elaine and I are years over!"

"Harry, it's obvious to everyone – except for you, of course – that she's in love with you."

"That's crazy."

She rolled her eyes. "Right. Next you're going to tell me you never knew Molly was, too."

"Molly was what? I – wait. No. No, that's not possible."

"Christ, Dresden, you really are thick, sometimes. Look, let's face it; You're my best friend. And I love you. But not like she does." Murphy paused. "Not like she always has."

"Murph, this is insane. And this," I indicated the space around us, "is the strangest possible place for this conversation."

She stepped right up to me, and her voice dropped a little. "Harry, I can't be in a relationship, anyway. Look, I haven't told anyone, but, for the last couple of weeks, I've had this… feeling. That I'm not going to be here much longer."

"What do you - "

"Not that I'm going to die. I mean Chicago. After I was fired… the idea just got in there, and never went away." She shook her head, and wouldn't look me in the face. "I'm confused. Part of me wants to stay, but part of me knows…" She almost looked me in the eye. "Part of me knows I'm not going to. And I can't do that to you." She reached up, and automatically, I leaned down. She kissed me. Not long, not hard. It was a sweet, friendly kiss. "I want you to be happy, if you survive tonight. I want that more than anything. Okay?"

I had no idea what to say. So, I opened my mouth and let it do the work. "Yeah," I heard myself say. "I think."

She smiled up at me, and it was a little sad. "Just so you know, I've already talked to Elaine."

"Of course you have. Last night, in the car?"

"Yeah. She mentioned that the two of you, your bodies, were perfectly proportional to each other. You're a good fit." She bounced her eyebrows. "Literally, from what I'm told."

"Oh, that is just…" I shook my head. "You're a pig, Murphy."

She laughed.

Then, the door crashed open and Thomas leaned out. "Harry! We've got company!"

I sighed. "Of course we do." I hoisted my staff and we ran inside.