“Zella’s still here,” I point out. “And her special guards.”
“True. But they can’t be everywhere.” I hear the scrape of rock—he’s still working on the wall between us. “We just need to create enough chaos to slip away.”
I lean my head against the cool stone. “What’s your plan?”
“If they come to my cell first, I’ll play dead.”
“What?”
“When they come, I’ll be on the floor, not moving. When they check me, I’ll attack.”
“And if they come to me first?”
“Be ready to move. The moment your door opens, I’ll create a distraction. You wait for your opportunity.”
I nod, though he can’t see me. “Okay. But Kier—” I hesitate, not sure how to say this. “If something goes wrong, if we get separated…”
“We won’t,” he says firmly.
“But if we do,” I insist, “I need you to find my pack. Find Ryker. Tell him what’s happening here.”
There’s a long pause. “I will,” he finally says. “But it won’t come to that.”
The confidence in his voice almost makes me believe him.
Hours pass, tension building with each minute. We talk in low murmurs, planning contingencies, discussing the escape route. It helps keep the fear at bay.
When the door at the end of the corridor finally slams open, it’s almost a blessing. Heavy footsteps approach—multiple guards, moving with purpose.
Kier’s voice comes through the hole, barely a whisper. “Remember. Wait for your moment.”
I move away from the wall, positioning myself near the back of my cell, palming the metal shard in my hand.
The keys rattle at my door first.
My door.
The lock turns. The hinges creak.
I hold my breath as two guards enter, flashlights cutting through the dark.
“There you are,” one grunts. “You got an answer for Zella?”
“I’ll do what she wants,” I lie.
“Told ya,” one says to the other. “Grab her. Zella wants her prepped for travel within the hour.”
I force my body to remain still, head lowered, letting them think the silver’s done its work.
One kneels beside me, fingers on the cuffs, muttering curses when the silver burns his fingers. He pulls a key from his pocket, releasing the chains.
The other guard steps closer, stun baton hanging loose.
Then—
A thud.
A choked grunt from the hallway.
