"Let's go," Courfeyrac repeated, this time reaching out for Max but missing her wrist, grasping nothing but thin air. He couldn't stand the idea of running and leaving her alone to defend herself, but the way she was standing, he was certain she would not move.

Heart pounding from fright, he tried to grab for her again, this time turning on his heels to urge her to move with him.

"It was pleasant to meet you," he said, hoping his voice didn't have too much of a panicked edge to it. "But we really must be on our way. Darling, come."