Mara smiled. "I wasn't on your plane." At his confused look, she explained, "Faith and I were on a small charter plane that crashed in the foothills the same day as this crash. We were on our way to London, which puts us very much off course." She sighed. "I'm not surprised, though. This place is a trap for many."

"Rome, though?"

"I was hitching a ride as far as London. I didn't know how I was getting any further than that. But I had a....I had someone I cared about in Rome who needed me. He...I imagine he doesn't need me now, though."

Alex...she didn't know what had happened to him, but as crazy as it sounded...she had the feeling that he was no longer human.