THERE’S NO REST for the wicked. But you knew that.

As soon as the sob-fest was over andAri was buried,Jeb said, “We need to go.” His face was pale and unhappy. “Dr. Martinez and I talked to you about this trip to Washington. We think it’s crucial that you guys attend this meeting.” He sighed, not looking atAri’s grave.

“Why is this important, again?” I asked, trying to turn my back on feeling sad. Not so easy. “You said something about government, blahblahblah?”

Jebbegan to head out of the woods. With me in the lead and Fang taking up the rear, we followed him cautiously.

“After everything that happened in Germany,”Jeb said, “we were contacted by some very important higher-ups in the government. People who understand, who are on our side.”

I felt like saying, “What’s this ‘our side,’kemosabe?” but didn’t.

“They’re eager to meet with you,” he went on. “Frankly, these would be important and valuable allies- people who could actually offer you protection and resources. But they’re very hands-on- they need to see the miracle kids with their own eyes.” He turned back and gave us a rueful smile.

“If by ‘miracle kids’ you mean innocent test-tube babies whose DNA was forcibly unraveled and merged with two percent avian genes, yeah, I guess that would be us,” I said. “Because it’s a miracle that we’re not completenut jobs and mutantdisasters. ”

Jebwinced and gave a brief nod, accepting his role in our short, hard lives. “Well, as I said, they’re eager to see you. And your mom- Dr. Martinez- and I really recommend you go.” We came to the edge of the woods, and there was a small landing strip, scraped into the forest like a wound. A sleek private jet waited there, two armed Secret Service agents standing at the entry stairs.