"I'll make it up to you. Just restrain Plague." I rush to Knight, who's still snarling and clawing at his mask. "Hey, I'm here. Just hold still."
He freezes as if he's afraid to hurt me, giving me the space I need to work. My hands are gentle as I help him wipe the liquid from around his eyes, using the torn piece of his cloak. He growls softly, leaning into my touch like a giant cat seeking comfort.
"Better?" I murmur, and he gives a stiff nod, those burning blue eyes flicking to me from behind the mask.
Behind us, I hear the distinctive click of metal. I turn to find Geo handcuffing an unconscious but groaning Plague who's now sporting a bright red cut on his head.
"He won't be out for long," Geo warns. "Fucker's tough, I'll give him that."
I blink at the restraints. "Do you just carry those around all the time?"
"In case anyone at the club gets too rowdy." He pauses, scratching at his stubble. "It's usually Raven, actually."
I scoff. "And you're still pretending there's no sexual chemistry between you two?"
Plague moans, his head lolling as he starts to come around, and Geo's expression hardens. "This really isn't the time," Geo says through his teeth.
I roll my eyes and gesture to Knight. "If you're okay, go ahead and pick Plague up," I say to him before glancing back at Geo. "We need to get out of here and find a way to signal to Raven and Nikolai that the mission was a success."
"We just kidnapped a prince," Geo says flatly, watching as Knight easily lifts Plague's limp form over his shoulder. "The entire Surhiiran army is about to be on our asses, and they'll be the least of our worries when the rest of the Ghosts find out. I wouldn't exactly call this a successful mission yet. More like a suicide mission."
"You're such a pessimist," I say, pushing the window open as wide as it will go for Knight to get through. Geo helps him with Plague, then reaches in and pulls me out after him, his hands warm and rough and steady on my waist even though the silk.
As my feet hit the ground outside, the reality of what we've just done crashes over me. We actually pulled it off.
We have Plague.
Now, we just need to figure out what the fuck to do with him.
Chapter 21
NIKOLAI
This is fucking pointless.
We've been wandering these overly gilded hallways for what feels like hours—probably only ten minutes, but who's counting?—and there's no sign of Plague anywhere.
The chaos from Raven's little fire stunt has the whole palace in an uproar, guards rushing past us every few seconds as they try to herd the panicking tourists toward the exits. Everyone is too frenzied to notice a couple of likely tourists.
"I told you this was a waste of time," I mutter, pressing myself against the wall as another contingent of guards thunders past. "Plague isn't going to be hanging around the public wings during a fucking emergency."
"Then where would he be?" Raven hisses back, somehow managing to look elegant even while hiding behind a massive potted plant. The bastard could make rolling around in the mud look graceful.
"How the fuck should I know? His office? The royal quarters? Taking a piss in the golden toilets?"
Raven shoots me a withering look. "You're being particularly charming today."
"I'm being realistic. We're wandering around like idiots while Cosima's off with Geo and Knight."
"Jealous?" Raven cuts in, that infuriating smirk playing at his lips.
"Of what? That she's stuck with a grumpy pirate and her pet monster?"
"Oh, you'redefinitelyjealous. I take it your little talk on the balcony didn't go well, even after I practically threw you a softball."
I'm about to tell him exactly where he can shove his "softball" when footsteps echo down the corridor. Not the rushed, heavy tread of guards evacuating tourists, but measured, authoritative steps heading directly toward our hiding spot a hell of a lot further into the palace than we're supposed to be.
Shit.
