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northeast corner of the intersection, was the MGM Grand – the Dragons’ HQ. I felt the Dragons would have done well to name themselves the Lions. A wide, empty fountain stood in front of the massive building. In the fountain, a golden lion stood. Torches lined the circular walk around the fountain, leading to the front entrance. There, a couple of guards stood, talking softly. They looked at us as we walked alongside the fountain, to the building’s front.
    We paused before the doorway.
    “Boss is inside,” one of the guards said, a tall, muscled black man. He looked at Anna and me. “Which of you is Makara?”
    “She isn’t here,” Michael said. “She’s meeting with the Raiders. These are her representatives, Alex and Anna.”
    The Dragon raised an eyebrow. “The Boss won’t like this, Michael.”
    “The Boss can wait until tomorrow, James.”
    The other Dragon stepped up, small of frame and white. “You better watch where your loyalties lie, Sanchez.”
    “Relax, Daniel,” Michael said. “The Angels just got here an hour ago, and it’s already night. What did the Boss expect?”
    James eyed Michael hard. “To have his orders followed to the letter.”
    “I heard nothing about bringing Makara,” Michael said. “It was originally supposed to be just me.”
    “Well, even if the one called Makara is not here,” James said, “we will lead you in. Good luck explaining it to the Boss.”
    “Wait,” Daniel said.
    He stared off into the darkness, onto the boulevard from which we had come. Someone was walking around the fountain, obviously having followed us.
    “Who goes there?” James shouted. “Reveal yourself!”
    The man did not stop, or even slow. In fact, he broke into a dead run. A horrible wail pierced the night air, making my skin crawl.
    “Howler!” Daniel said.
    I reached for where my Beretta was usually holstered. Finding the holster empty, I cursed, and backed away through the doors of the MGM. James and Daniel stood in front, blocking the way into the building.
    The Howler appeared from the darkness, his clothing ragged and mouth agape. Purple slime coated his entire body. He had a hole where his left cheek should have been, revealing a gray, lifeless tongue and gums. The completely white eyes burned, almost glowed, in the night. The Howler careened forward, arms outstretched.
    James fired his rifle, nailing the Howler twice in the shoulder. The monster screamed in pain, but didn’t slow. Michael raised his AR-15, firing a few shots. One of the bullets connected with the Howler’s head, sending the thing crashing to the ground.
    The body, now grounded, quivered and convulsed. The skin bloated and stretched, threatening to pop.
    “Inside, now!” I yelled.
    Everyone rushed inside the building, through sliding glass doors that already stood halfway open. Anna, Michael, and I were closer, and made it inside easily. James dove, his hulking mass shooting past me as he rolled into the hotel lobby. Daniel ran, but not fast enough. The Howler exploded, sending globs of purple goo sailing through the air. Daniel was caught in the torrential downpour of virus-infected sludge.
    Daniel stared at us all. His eyes were wide, horrified.
    Then he turned to run.
    Recovering, James scrambled up, aiming his rifle into the darkness. He fired.
    Daniel fell to the ground.
    James panted, looking out into the night where his compatriot now lay dead. He turned back to us, his hardened face like stone.
    “Go inside. Boss Dragon is waiting.”
    “Howlers are in the city!” I said. “Aren’t you going to do something?”
    James shook his head. “Howlers have always been in the city. Their numbers have grown, and they roam the city at night. I have never seen one on the Strip, though.” He sighed. “It isn’t a good sign.”
    Michael placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump.
    “Come on,” he said.
    We turned from the grisly scene, and walked into the darkness of the MGM Grand.

Chapter 7
    Anna