Where are the dogs?" I asked. "At training," he said. "I have a friend who's an expert dog trainer, and he's giving them some stealth lessons. He used to work for a local K-9 unit." I didn't think it was in the Chihuahua genetic code to ever be stealthy.

None of you appreciate me. Why is it so hard to believe that I could make a real contribution in these dark rimes?

Can't you ever get off for good behavior?" "Sure, if I was ever good.

I know," she said, guessing my thoughts. "I know exactly how you feel." "Does it get easier?" I asked. Unlike Sydney, Olena had an answer. "Yes. But you'll never be the same.

You're not as much of a lost cause as she was. I mean, with her, I had to overcome her deep, epic love with a Russian warlord. You and I just have to overcome hundreds of years' worth of deeply ingrained prejudice and taboo between our two races. Easy.

Dimitri should have been here with me. That's how it was supposed to have been.

Throughout history, people with new ideas—who think differently and try to change things—have always been called troublemakers.