The edifice was huge, with a single massive chamber at its heart. The pendulum lights hung far above the three individuals in the center, so she couldn't see their faces.

The guy in the center said, "Come in, Ms. Brown." As she got closer, she saw that the shine was coming from the barrel of a rifle he was holding. Her pulse was pounding rapidly, and within was a she-wolf that was yelping and howling for freedom.

Must…protect…

She pushed us to relax. At this distance, she realized, she couldn't move quickly enough to avoid being shot.

As the man's features came into focus, she said incredulously, "Maxwell?" With him...