Making sure the fillium was still tight in one hand, Viri used the other to squeeze her friend’s arm. “Of course you do. But I’m really hoping you’ll choose to help.”
He sighed again, louder this time. “What kind of a distraction do you have in mind?”
9
The plan they came up with was almost alarmingly simple, especially after Soren pointed out that the easiest way for Viri and Reeve to sneak past the Nox reception guards would be if no sneaking was necessary.
“The best deception is always the most obvious one,” Soren said as they entered the elevator. With nimble fingers, he unfastened the polished silver buckles of his dark trench coat, shucked it off, and handed it to Reeve. “If you don’t look out of place, no one will think you’re not meant to be there.”
“Clever,” Reeve hummed, motioning for Viri to release his bindings—which she did, but only after sending him a cautionary look—and then he donned the uniform over his black attire, transforming instantly into a Nox guard. “In another world, we might have been friends, Archer.”
“Pity the only other world you’re likely to see is the underworld, and I don’t intend to meet you there,” Soren replied without missing a beat. He ignored Reeve’s snort to wave toward his coat and warn, “I expect that back. If I find out you’ve been posing as a Nox, not even Viri will be able to protect you.”
“Trust me, I can’t think of anything more miserable.” Reeve’s nose wrinkled as he inspected his reflection in the smooth wall of the swiftly rising elevator. “Black suits me, honor doesn’t.”
It was the first time since their reunion that Viri agreed with something he’d said. But she didn’t comment, only focused on retying his bindings. She wasn’t worried he’d escape while inside the elevator, but once the doors opened, she wouldn’t risk him fleeing before he’d fulfilled his side of the bargain.
“Call me paranoid, but what happens if someone notices you walking me like a dog on a leash?” Reeve drawled, lifting his hands and gesturing to the length of golden cord stretching from him back to her.
Viri frowned, realizing he was right. The guards on the night shift might be tired, but they weren’t blind. Even with Reeve playing dress-up, it would be a dead giveaway that he wasn’t a real Nox if his bindings were spotted.
Thinking fast, she freed one of his wrists and wrapped the remaining length of cord around her own before grabbing his still-bound hand and twining their fingers together.
She felt his surprise—saw it, too, as his dark brows shot upward—but she was too busy trying not to think about his warm, callused skin against hers to explain how their hand-holding would keep any eagle-eyed guards from noticing the bindings.
Reeve, it seemed, didn’t need an explanation, not when he was so obviously entertained by her discomfort.
“Careful, I might be contagious,” he said, his silver eyes dancing. “Watch out or I’ll grow on you.”
Not missing his meaning, Viri deadpanned, “I guarantee I’mimmune.”
A soft chuckle, and a gentle squeeze of his fingers around hers. “We’ll see.”
Soren cleared his throat sharply and sent Viri aWhat the hell is going on between you two?look that she skillfully ignored. He still knew nothing of her history with Reeve, and while she was beginning to regret keeping such a big secret, it worked in her favor tonight, preventing Soren from questioning her motives for the jailbreak. Reeve was a means to an end, nothing more, but she couldn’t risk Soren doubting that.
Fortunately, the slowing of the lift diverted his attention. “We’re nearly there,” he said. “Everyone ready?”
Viri nodded as the doors opened, then followed Soren into the Nox’s white-marbled reception area, Reeve striding confidently at her side. Her grip on him tightened as the two guards at the front desk looked up, both different from the ones who had been on duty when Viri had arrived and looking much fresher than their predecessors.
Sensing her unease, Soren touched the back of Viri’s free hand reassuringly and headed straight for the guards to play his role perfectly.
“Jost, Estrin, everything quiet up here?” he asked, leaning casually on the desk to limit their view of Viri and Reeve walkingpast.
“As dead as the necropolis,” the male guard—Jost—said. “You three done for the night?”
“Yeah,” Soren said, shifting slightly to keep blocking Viri and Reeve as they continued toward the wayportal nestled in the far corner of the room. “Hoping to catch a few hours’ sleep before Captain Farrow’s meeting in the morning.”
The female Nox—Estrin—fluttered her eyelashes. “We’recovering for Caz and Hutton while they take a break, but my shift ends once they’re back, in case you don’t feel like sleeping justyet.”
Elders spare me,Viri thought, mentally gagging at the blatant proposition. Reeve was no help—his body shook with humor against hers. She crunched his fingers hard in warning, but that only prompted him to release an audible snicker.
Thankfully, they were now far enough away from the desk that the guards couldn’t hear—nor did Viri have to endure Soren’s reply—and only a few steps from the shimmering magestone arch that would whisk them to their next destination, safe from imminent arrest.
While part of Viri couldn’t believe their ruse had worked—indeed, Soren was still chatting with the guards, who were oblivious to the criminal escaping under their watch—another part was beginning to regret telling Reeve he could choose where they headed next. He’d had plenty of time to think about it, and that could mean anything for her—including being delivered straight to his murderous reaper friends.
Unwilling to risk falling into a trap, Viri yanked on his hand when they reached the wayportal, preparing to step through first and pick their destination herself.
Only, she didn’t get the chance before someone arrived through the arch, appearing directly in front of them.
