Hi everyone. Thanks so much to the people who reviewed. Secret Keeper, I know what you mean about Alek, but I was considering doing a variation on this story, and needed him to go in there willingly. The Boomslang snake is a real snake. And the way people die from their poison is really awful. But you'll have to wait for chapter six for that. And the reason I chose a rabbit is because obviously they're so harmless looking and cute. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter Three

Suddenly the man whirled about and slammed the door firmly shut. With a loud click it automatically locked.

"What are you doing?" Alek yelled as he grabbed onto the bars.

He watched as the man calmly straightened his coat and tie and took a step away from the cage. A bored expression rested on his face, as if locking people up were something he did frequently.

"Please," Alek cried, " why are you doing this?"

The man checked his pocket watch and them regarded him thoughtfully. Alek noticed with surprise that it was a Clanker model. That kind was not manufactured in England or in any Darwinist country.

"I could tell you, I suppose," the man said at last. "I do have a few minutes before I'm due at my next appointment. And since you're going to die anyway, it won't really matter."

Alek's eyes widened at the words. There had been numerous other attempts to assassinate him, of course, so it wasn't that he wasn't used to being hunted. But they had all been before he had renounced his claim to the throne of Austria-Hungary. What possible reason could there be now?

The man began to speak. "Since I really do not have much time I will be frank with you. You see, Aleksandar, though you may think there is no possibility of you ever becoming emperor of Austria, there is a small, but influential organization working for just that purpose. And I am here to prevent that from happening," He paused before continuing and an evil grin slowly spread beneath his perfectly manicured mustache. " By killing you."

Alek drew back from the bars. Someone wanted him as ruler? Who in the world could possibly - Then his mind found its answer. Volger. It had to be.

But there wasn't time to ponder who this mysterious group was. He needed to find a way to escape. Perhaps if he could keep the man engaged in conversation until Deryn returned. . . .

Trying to keep his voice steady Alek swallowed and asked, "And how do you plan to do that?"

"You see the rabbit behind you?" the man said, pulling on a pair of gloves.

"Alek shifted his eyes cautiously over his shoulder.

"Yes?"

"Well, as I told you earlier, it possess the venom of a highly poisonous snake, the Boomslang. Hence its name, the Boomslang Hare. Though it is a very timid species, when it does choose to bite, its victim suffers an excruciating death. I assure you, it is extremely painful."

He paused to observe Alek's reaction and then smiled.

"I think I shall enjoy telling you this."