“He doesn’t want his staff to feel like they need to stand on ceremony,” Tivek said.
“We invited him and Noora tonight,” Kann added. “After the rescue mission and everything, we didn’t want to leave him out.”
“They would have come,” Fiona said, discarding another card, “but Noora had already planned something special for them. A private dinner.”
I felt my pulse quicken despite my efforts to appear casually interested. “That’s sweet. Is there a special dining room for occasions like that?”
Kann laughed, the sound warm and slightly slurred. “Nothing so fancy as that. They’re probably dining in their quarters. The admiral has the largest suite in the place.”
Fiona nodded. “When I ran into Noora earlier, she said it was going to be in their quarters.”
My heart pounded traitorously. If Admiral Zoran was having a private dinner with his wife in their quarters, that meant he wouldn’t be anywhere near his office. And with Tivek hereplaying cards, there was no chance of the adjunct being there either.
This was my chance. My real chance, not the impulsive disaster from earlier today.
I hesitated for a moment, remembering the fear of being trapped behind those coats, the way Deklyn had looked at me afterward like I was a reckless child who couldn’t be trusted. But this was different. This time I was sure I wouldn’t get caught.
The game continued around me, the stakes apparently rising as more players folded and the pot grew larger. I waited until it was down to just Vyk and Tivek, their focus completely absorbed by the cards in their hands.
“I think I’m going to turn in,” I said with a carefully manufactured yawn, leaning over to whisper to Ariana. “It’s been a long day.”
She turned to study my face with concern. “You look tired. You should probably get more sleep since you’re still recovering.”
I tried not to bristle at the implication that I wasn’t back to full strength, even though she was probably right. The stress of captivity combined with my current preoccupation with revenge wasn’t exactly conducive to restful sleep. Most nights I lay awake staring at the ceiling, alternating between nightmares about Kronock interrogation and fantasies about confronting whoever had abandoned me.
“Good night, everyone,” I said, pushing back from the table and doing my best to avoid Deklyn’s gaze as I slipped from the room.
The moment I was out of sight, I quickened my pace, running on my toes as I navigated the corridors toward the administrativewing. My heart hammered against my ribs as I approached the heavy wooden door marked with Admiral Zoran’s nameplate. This was it. Inside that office would be the records I needed, the proof of who had decided to abandon me and why.
I placed my palm against the sensor panel beside the door and waited for the familiar click of disengaging locks.
Nothing happened.
The panel remained dark, unresponsive to my touch. I groaned softly and tried again, pressing my hand more firmly against the surface. Still nothing.
Of course, the admiral’s office would have higher security protocols than a standard staff door. I should have expected that. But how was I supposed to hot-wire a Drexian access panel?
I was still staring at the unresponsive panel when a large hand reached over my shoulder and pressed against the sensor. The door slid open with its characteristic whisper, revealing the darkened interior of the admiral’s office.
Deklyn’s voice came from directly behind me, low and dangerous in a way that sent shivers down my spine. “Don’t make me regret this.”
Chapter
Twelve
Deklyn
Sasha turned to glare at me, her dark eyes flashing with irritation in the dim light seeping from the wall sconces. “Why are you following me?”
“That didn’t sound like a thank you, sweetheart,” I said, keeping my voice low although we were probably the only people in the administrative wing of the academy.
She blew out an exasperated breath that made a strand of hair flutter across her face before whirling back around and striding into the office. I followed, closing the door behind us and wondering why the hell she could be annoyed with me. I’d just saved her from standing in a hallway looking like an idiot, trying to break into one of the most secure offices in the academy.
The admiral’s long, narrow office was impressive even in the darkness. Tall windows had been cut into the far wall, letting in enough moonlight to cast everything in silver and shadow. Sashahurried down the length of the room toward the enormous desk that dominated the space in front of those windows.
“Why are you risking getting caught again?” I asked, trailing after her. “After what happened earlier today, I would have thought you’d learned your lesson.”
She slipped behind the desk, using the pale moonbeams to see as she began rifling through the papers scattered across its surface. “Why did you let me in if you’re so against it?”
