“At least, she answers to Coulise,” Cece explained with a chuckle. “She’s not quite well enough to clarify.”

“Is her name Alice?” Ava demanded into the dark. “Alice Coulise?”

“You want her, do you?” Cece asked. “For your own uses?”

Ava grabbed the woman by the collar and pulled her out of Abe’s grip. She slammed her against the wall of skulls behind her, and Cece cried out in pain. “She is my family,” Ava hissed. “And you are taking me to her. Now.”

Cece’s expression reminded Ava of a cat being scolded: her lips were curled as if mid-snarl, as if she was considering whether or not to scratch her captor. But Abe was still there, and Ava had a good grip. “Look,” Cece finally spat, “I need to use that watch. If I take you to this woman, at least let me do that. Just once.”

Ava glanced back at Abe and saw in his eyes they were both thinking the same thing: Cece didn’t know the watch was broken.

Ava smiled. “Deal.”