The end of the alleyway loomed up ahead, getting larger by the moment, and a fresh, cold sweat broke out on my temple. At least back here we weren’t visible to many, but once we reached the main streets, we’d be on clear display. Anyone driving by could spot us.
“How far is the light rail?” I asked.
“Five-minute walk,” Ursuline responded, keeping their tone low. “Don’t stray from me.”
I wouldn’t. Not for a fucking second. While this situation terrified me, what scared me worse was being separated from them.
The closer we got to the main road, the more adrenaline pumped through my system. While I might recognize the car that Gretel hopefully led on a merry chase, how many others prowled out there looking for us? At the moment, every car held an enemy inside. No one could be trusted.
We reached the end, and the sounds of the street flooded over me, the thrum of traffic louder here. Even this late at night, several cars zipped down the street, their headlights slicing through the dark. My heart thrummed. Ursuline peered out and looked both ways. Then they jerked their head to the left and slipped out onto the sidewalk.
Right. I sucked in a breath and stepped out too.
My skin prickled at once, with an awareness that hadn’t been there when I’d walked through the city before. Granted, I’d never been hunted down by an ex-future-father-in-law.
“Keep your eyes peeled for any cars slowing down,” Ursuline said as they glided forward. “If they’re Triton’s men and get close enough, they could drag you into the car.”
I shivered and scrubbed at my arm. The bag over my shoulder weighed heavily at my side, thumping against my thigh as we strode along. A few cars whizzed by, their headlights near blinding, but I didn’t dare pause to scrutinize them too heavily. My pulse increased with each one that passed. They were moving fast enough and zipping by, not seeming to pay attention to Ursuline and me.
“How far are we?” I asked.
They figured out what I asked at once. “The station’s a few blocks away. From there, we’re a few stops from Casino Alley.”
I swallowed hard. I should be able to process how far that was, but right now I summoned every ounce of mettle just to put one foot in front of the other. We reached a light, and I jammed my hands into my pockets to stop fidgeting. The cars whirred past us, none of them giving a moment’s pause, but I scanned them regardless, every shadowy face in the driver’s seat a potential threat.
The pedestrian light blinked on, and we set off like a gunshot. I kept pace with Ursuline and tried to suck in deep breaths to calm my system. The effort didn’t work. The cars that whizzed by opposite us set my nerves on edge, the space around us far too open. I’d rather slink through the shadows to get there, but we had to reach the station and fast.
I hoped Gretel was okay.
“One more block, sunshine,” Ursuline said, their reassurance coming at the perfect time. Renewed urgency flooded through me, and we strode to the right, past a set of storefronts with their neons lit and a steady stream of customers flowing up and down the sidewalk, even at this time of night. Here, we could mingle with pedestrians a bit better. Here, we’d stand a chance at hiding from whoever Frederick had sent to prowl the streets. I had no idea what power was at his command, but he had an in with Alpha Blue, and that meant he was downright dangerous.
At the end of the block, I spotted the sign for the subway, the arrow pointing down where steps would lead us to salvation. We just had to get there.
A sedan began to slow down nearby, coasting along the edge of the road, as if they planned on trying to park. Ursuline’s shoulders tightened, and they quickened their pace.
A few people jostled around me, obscuring the car from view for a moment, and my heart rate shot up. I surged forward, trying to move as fast as possible without drawing attention.
When I glanced back again, the car was parked, and the doors cracked open. The men who emerged were dressed all in black, wearing typical bodyguard attire. Fuck. Cold rushed through me.
“Get to the station,” Ursuline said. “Run.”
They surged ahead, their tentacles whipping around them in their mad dash. I didn’t hesitate. I lunged forward. My feet thumped against the pavement, the force resonating all the way up my shins.
The sign for the subway awaited up ahead, close and too far at the same time. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Sweat trickled down my back as I raced forward, ignoring the shouts around me as I shoved past people who didn’t dodge out of the way fast enough. We were drawing attention to ourselves at this point, but if we didn’t get to the station quick, we never would.
If I tuned out the honks from the street, the shouts from passersby, the thrum of the city, I could hear the thump of quickened footsteps, just like ours. Ice rushed through me.
The steps to the subway loomed in front of me, a dark descent.
I plunged down them.
Ursuline burst ahead the slightest bit, but they kept glancing back, to meet my gaze, to make sure I was still there. The fact they watched out for me, even now, made my chest squeeze tight.
Ursuline flung the door open, and I jumped through before it shut behind me. Down here, the sounds echoed, especially the rattling of the subway cars. How often did the subway come? I should be embarrassed I’d never taken it before, but when we traveled around the city, it was always by car or personal driver.
Ursuline slowed as we closed in on the platform, and I followed suit. They reached out and offered a hand, which I took, even though my palm was slick with sweat. I cast a glance back to the door. No one had plunged through it yet, but the tension hummed in the air, the understanding that at any moment Frederick’s men could be upon us.
