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dress that showed off her toned arms. She held them open and walked toward Mia, giving her a kiss on each cheek.
    â€œWelcome to France,” she said. “My name is Florence Martineau. Please, call me Flo.”
    Two other women standing behind her came forward and each kissed Mia on her cheeks. Flo wrapped her arm around Mia’s shoulders and guided her up the steps.
    â€œI am certain you are filled with questions,” she said. “And exhausted from your travels. But I will give you the choice; what is the first thing you would like to do here?”
    â€œShower,” Mia said. “I smell.”
    Both of her companions let out a laugh.
    â€œYes,” Albin said. “They hid her in a sack used for seafood.”
    â€œIck,” Flo said. “ Fille de poisson. ”
    Flo and Albin laughed again. Mia looked wide eyed around the entry room. The entire house looked like it was made of gold and the ceiling was decorated with one of the most elaborate paintings she’d ever seen.
    â€œAlbin will show you to your room and get you set up,” Flo said. “Are you hungry?”
    â€œYes,” Mia said.
    â€œWould you like food brought to you or do you want to dine with me?”
    The idea of sitting alone again was too much for Mia. It was as if Flo could read her mind since she didn’t wait for Mia to respond.
    â€œWe will give you an hour to freshen up,” she said. “I will see you after that.”
    She bowed her head and went into the giant house.
    â€œI think you will love your accommodations,” Albin said. “Please follow me.”
    â€œI’m only here a week, right?” Mia said. “Then back to America?”
    â€œShhh,” Albin said. “Don’t speak of those things so openly. Not everyone present is familiar with the plans. You can speak openly with me in private, I will be accompanying Madame Martineu as her escort.”
    Mia nodded and realized her mistake in getting too comfortable too soon. She kept her mouth shut the rest of the time they walked through the great house. Albin stopped in front of a door and opened it up.
    The room was pale blue, with a large bed and a dresser set. The ceiling was painted in a similar manner to the entrance. There were children seated among clouds with rings over their heads. It was breathtaking. Albin walked to the far side of the room and opened a door.
    â€œHere is the bathroom,” he said. “There is clothing in the closet and everything you should need.”
    â€œShould I wait for you to come get me?” Mia asked.
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Albin said. “The whole house and grounds are open to you. But finding the dining room may be tricky. I’ll come just to show you where it is.”
    â€œThank you,” Mia said.
    Albin nodded and left the room. Mia was used to entering foreign lands. But this one seemed far different from the others. She didn’t know what a prime minister was, or how Flo fit into the grand scheme, but Mia knew that things were about to change.

 
    UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ....................................
    Chapter 7
    There are no cars on the road with drivers. We have passed several empty vehicles. None of my group will say what we are all thinking. The war overseas is over, but the apocalypse took place stateside.
    â€”­The journal of Isaac Ryland
    â€œYou didn’t say anything about separating from Mia,” Andrew said.
    â€œLook,” Zack said. “Once we got into France Affinity wasn’t in charge anymore. We’re lucky the prime minister shares an interest in our cause. She agreed to take all of us over the border and we need to respect her decisions.”
    â€œYou’ve spent the past few weeks telling me over and over again how Mia needs protection, how everything is done if she gets hurt. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to convince