ction. Cassian Vanguard thought he was the only one in his
her wasted night, and I certainly couldn't afford to let Cassian discover why I
d my face, and checked my equipment. Five minutes later, I slip
wing, keeping my attention on the doors and corners
zing the layout and the routes leading to Cassian'
e lock was more advanced than an ordinary household sy
m shattered
LERT. REST
mn
estricted wing. All units, respond immediately." Footsteps thunde
er floor. Che
around the corner, their flashlights sweeping across the walls. I sl
with folded linen stood against the walls, and a n
ck
ve away my position, and the guards were already searching
outside. Another voice answered, "Adrian
ered myself behind a stack of linen and kept my
r opened, and a flashlight
hind thos
ecked the nearest shelves before moving toward the opposite wall. I remaine
stairwell. Possible movement near the landing." The gua
ervice door remained locked, so I returned to the main
pt
aching from the stairwell, and another team was checking the rooms near th
ridor. A second alarm sounded, s
he upper floor," the se
t found me, but the s
cabinet just as two guards appeared at the far end o
t corridor
et. The guards approached. Their footsteps grew louder until I
ed a few
hear so
the alar
not to assu
ess. I held my position. Before it reach
he main stairwell. Mr.
waited until their footsteps
assian's team was organized, and the longer I remained on that
r leading around the main hallway. It was longer, but it brought me closer t
roaching. I slipped into a laundry
ds passe
the laundry ro
haven't checked t
e heading toward my room. I ha
e laundry room and continued through the service corridor. At t
ea
arters. My door was only a few steps away. I o
ness, listening to the alarm and
ked my gloves and face covering, and returned every item to its place. I changed into m
d at the clock. Only a few minu
es called. "Open
inking as if the light hurt my eyes. M
r the alarm?
am. It wo
ked past me i
eft this ro
N
ed beneath the bed, opened the wardrobe, and examined the space ar
und n
clear,"
"Stay here until
cour
until their footsteps disappeared befo
to my room without being seen. My clothes were hidden, my equipment was
have felt
message from Don Marcell
Did you trig
I hadn't told him the
reply, another
LO: Answer
understand how he could possibly k
eave that room. Someo
ruck my do
an's voice called
wasn't one of the guards
oked through the narrow gap beside the
wasn'
readable as he turned the screen toward Cassian. I couldn't se
something from the
the screen. His ex
g her
inst my ribs. Then C
quietly. "I kno
racing. He couldn't have seen my fac
ad they d
le began
ing Cassian Vanguard's home, I had
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