It opened.
We peered in.
It was big enough to hold twenty of us.
Reo looked at her. “What do they use this for?”
Hiroko pocketed the key. “Furniture deliveries, janitor carts, and of course the darker things. . .getting rid of bodies and the evidence of murder.”
I nodded. “So no cameras here either?”
“Not one.” She pulled out another key, bronze again but zig zagged at the end. Next, she slid it into a panel beneath the buttons.
With a groan, the panel opened and revealed a new set of buttons that looked like they hadn't been updated in decades.
I saw the numbers. One. Two. Three. Three-A. Five. Six.
No four since it was unlucky. The word for four sounded too much like the word for death. So they skipped it, even here, in a place built for sin and secrets, they honored old superstitions.
She looked at me. “When we’re ready to lower, press U3A. That’s the center VIP level in the Depths.”
“Got it.”
She stepped back next to me.
Reo turned to the Scales behind us and held up a hand. "We can't all fit. Not in one ride."
His gaze swept the group and he pointed to a group of Scales. "You six. Front line. You stay ahead of the Dragon at all times. The rest of you hold this floor. Secure the hallway, lock down the stairwell, and keep our exit clean. No one comes through that door. If we need to pull back, this is where we funnel. If not, then wait for my command."
The remaining Scales broke off without hesitation, fanning back down the corridor with their weapons up.
“Come on.” I guided Hiroko in. “We go in first.”
Her men followed on her sides.
Hiro turned to the twins. They already had their guns out, standing side by side with identical stillness. “You know your one job.”
They nodded together.
“Keep my brother alive. That’s it.”
Hiro looked at one. "Aki, right side.”
He turned to the other. “Yuki, left."
Okay. That’s Aki and that’s Yuki.
The men smirked and I swore they went in the other’s directions, confusing me.
What the fuck? So. . .is it Yuki now on the left and Aki on the right or are they. . .oh who fucking cares? I give up.
Hiro rolled his eyes, telling me that they did do something confusing.
But it didn’t matter. Both got next to me, slowly forcing Hiroko to go further to the side. Guns up. Scars catching the light.
Hiro positioned himself in front of us, knife in one hand, gun in the other. Before anyone could get to me, they would have to get through him, and not many could.
Reo stepped in behind Hiro, hand on his weapon.
