“Apparently,” he agrees darkly.
“Brilliant plan, gargoyle,” I growl, raking my fingers through my hair and taking up the pacing in his place. There’s not enough space in here for us to both do it at the same time. And now we’re both fucking trapped in this tiny, cramped cell together sharing one shit bucket.
“I didn’t know I’d get stuck,” he says defensively.
I huff. “This was probably Kallis’s plan all along. I bet she’s having a good laugh about it, the old crone.”
“It’ll be fine,” Atlas says in an irritatingly sure voice.
“How? How will this be fine?”
“I told Cassius I was going to talk to Kallis, so that will give him a lead. And with me missing too, they’ll have to tell Auri. He’s not going to let one of his prized possessions stay missing. They’ll find us.”
“But you still don’t know where we even are? Kallis didn’t know exactly?”
“Only a rough idea,” he admits. “She said you were ‘home’ and she mentioned New Orleans.”
My jaw drops. “What?”
“Does that mean something to you? I told her you didn’t live in New Orleans, but she insisted.”
“I was born here. My entire family comes from here.”
“Oh, that’s right. I remember Cassius mentioning that. Do you still have family—” He stops speaking abruptly. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s not something I hide. Everyone in the magic community knows my history, which is also why they know not to fuck with me. Imagine my curiosity as to who has been brave enough.”
“Yeah.” He peeks out the window. “My friends will find us.”
“We need a plan for when Elvira comes.”
“Who’s Elvira?”
“The guard. She brings food.”
“No worries. She won’t see me.”
I don’t see how she could miss a massive hunk of muscle standing in my room, but okay. “I think she’s dead.”
“Who?”
“Elvira. She’s dead. Or rather, reanimated. The person or thing behind my capture may be a necromancer. I was able to conjure a bit of magic, and she was completely immune to it. She smells off, too.”
“Know any necromancers who have a bone to pick with you?”
“I mean, sure, but none who are strong enough to overpower me.”
“We’ll figure it out, Rune. Promise.”
Heavy steps break the silence around us, and before I even have time to panic and tell Atlas to hide, he’s gone, though I haveno idea how he got out. My chest feels hollow again, but now I know he’ll be back. At least, I believe he will be.
As the keys rattle in the lock, I feel a soft poke on my arm and turn my head. Big eyes blink back at me, startling me for a moment until I realize what I’m looking at. Atlas.
The big lug can blend into the stone walls. Clever, and very useful at the moment.
The door swings open and Elvira appears carrying a fresh bucket. She sets it down, glancing around briefly before taking my empty food tray.
“Where are we?” I ask. “I swear I can smell the best gumbo outside my window.”
