Ted Bell - Warlord

"I am returning to Russia. If Anastasia and my son are alive, I promise you I will find them and I will bring them out. Or happily die trying."

"I know, Alex. I knew you would feel that way. I'm of course prepared to help you in any way possible, from inside the Kremlin. And, if you'll allow me, even going with you to bring them out if you want me."

"And expose yourself? After all these brilliant years? You cannot do that. England needs you alive, right where you are."

"It would be a glorious way to end my career, I believe. Helping you to find the two of them. All of us coming out together."

Hawke's heart caught in his throat. His eyes were brimming with more tears he fought hard not to spill.

"Thank you-thank you, Stefan, that's all-all I can say. If I might borrow your cheery red parka, I would like to go for a very, very long walk in your beautiful Alps."

So saying, Hawke strode to the door, grabbed Halter's parka from the rack, and stepped outside into the howling wind and whirling snow without another word.

What was there left to say, really?

TED BELL is the former chairman of the board and worldwide creative director of Young & Rubicam, one of the world's largest advertising agencies. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Hawke, Assassin, Pirate, Spy, and Tsar, as well as Nick of Time and The Time Pirate, in his series of YA adventure novels. He lives in Florida and Colorado.

You can follow Ted Bell on Facebook and at TedBellBooks.com.