Page 19 of Cinder's Trial

Killian’s hand on my arms lingered as he smiled. “If you ask me, flaws make a Cinderella more approachable.”

“Where’s your assigned Knight?” Levi snapped as he joined us.

Killian took a step back from me. “I’m afraid Hannah didn’t manage to get on the elevator since it was rather full.”

Levi looked like he might explode. “Your Highness knows he’s not supposed to wander around alone.”

“Calm down. Here she comes.” Killian indicated as the elevator opened and Hannah stalked out, looking ready to murder.

Levi intercepted her, and they bent heads to whisper.

“Uh-oh, I think you’re in trouble,” I murmured.

“One can hope.” Killian didn’t seem bothered one bit that he’d peeved the Knights. “I trust you’re recovered from our mishap yesterday.”

“Not a single scratch. And you?”

“Ready to see what the day has in store.”

“Do we have a plan?”

“Food! The hotel, on my mother’s orders, tried to feed me healthy stuff like spinach omelets made of egg whites with a serving of plain granola.” Killian made a face.

“The horror,” I agreed.

“My mother is convinced I need to eat better. Meanwhile, I think my figure is just fine.” He spun for me and showed off his snug-fitting but worn jeans paired with a heavy metal T-shirt.

“Does this mean you’re looking for a heart-attack breakfast?”

“Yes, do you know a place?” His expression lit up, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Indeed, I do. Miranda’s Diner. Deep fried potatoes, real bacon, made-from-scratch waffles and pancakes. It’s really quite good, if artery hardening. It’s only a few blocks from here. Maybe a ten-minute stroll.”

“The prince can’t walk around in public,” Levi stated flatly, having rejoined us without Hannah. “He’ll be mobbed the moment he steps out that door.”

I glanced through the glass and saw the women pushing against the police barricades.

“Which is why we’ll go out the back,” the prince exclaimed.

Before Levi could say no, Killian grabbed my hand and tugged me in his wake as he led me behind the reception desk, where the attendant gaped but didn’t stop us.

Levi followed with a grumbled, “I am going on the record now and saying this is a bad idea.”

“If you ask me, you’re just grumpy because you’re hungry.” Killian teased the big man.

“I’m grumpy because this is foolish.”

“We’ll be fine. I have the best Knight, after all, guarding my back.” Killian went through a door marked Employees Only, which led to a corridor with several closed doors. Killian didn’t open any of the ones we passed, heading for the one at the far end marked Stairs – Basement.

“Do you know where you’re going?” I asked as Killian led me at a quick trot down the steps.

“I studied the hotel schematics this morning. I’m used to having to sneak out of places. Lucky for us, this hotel connects to the building behind it, which holds their laundry facility.”

A glance over my shoulder showed Levi with his phone to his ear as he murmured, probably advising his team of our route. With an operation like this, agents would spread out rather than cluster around the target, moving ahead to watch for possible threats, guarding the rear.

The twist and turns we took had me confused. “Are you sure we’re going the right way?”

“I memorized the blueprint, photographic memory being a skill of mine,” Killian admitted. “Almost there.” He yanked open a rusted metal door, and up some stairs we went, emerging in a storage closet then into a vast steamy place full of massive, industrial laundry machines.

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