“I think so,” he acknowledged.
Kael was so adamant about us all jumping from the compound’s roof. If there was another way, why didn’t he use it, or at least tell us about it? “That leaves a lot of room for error, Titus.”
“It does, but I swear Kael would’ve done it if Victor hadn’t told him not to. This should work, Eve, but to do this,” he whispered, “I have to link all of us. Abram included. It’s all or nothing.”
“Were you pushed from the roof or did you jump?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.
He winced. “Someone pushed me. There was no way I could’ve done it, so I’m glad they did. I’m guessing they pushed you.”
“Yep.”
“I’m not looking forward to jumping. No one will be behind us to shove next time.”
I wasn’t either.
In addition to that fun fact, the thought of being linked to Abram in any way made me hesitate. But that was crazy. I wanted to go home. Period. If Titus linked us and had the opportunity to jump, and this link somehow pulled me back with him, I’d be able to go home. If the link didn’t work, he would jump and I’d still be here. It couldn’t physically hurt me.
In the end, I wanted to go home. With or without Abram, and with or without Victor’s blessing. “Link us.”
* * *
He pressed a sequence of circuits, illuminating his tech and then mine so they synchronized. “All done,” Titus breathed, just in time as footsteps came from the staircase closest to my cell. I jerked my hand away from him and scuttled back to my cot as Titus darted to the corner of his cell and crouched in it.
We hadn’t yet discussed a strategy for how we planned to leave the thirteen-hundreds.
Play along, his eyes cautioned.
Two soldiers filed out of the stairwell and approached my cell. Even in the murky light, the way they looked at me made my skin crawl. One unlocked the cell with a jangling key ring while the other one stared fixedly at my face. Titus loomed nearby, a silent warning in his eyes.
“What’s happening?” I asked. “Am I being released?” Standing up, my knees felt weak. My vision began to blur, but I blinked, refocusing on them.
“Something like that,” the one unlocking the door answered. His friend snickered at his non-answer.
I didn’t want them to touch me. I didn’t want them near me.
“Leave her alone,” Titus warned.
The first guard stepped into my cell, followed by the second. I stumbled back into the corner. I had never considered killing humans until that moment, but when they grabbed at me, all I could think about was staying alive. One hand found the first stake on my holster. I attempted to make myself invisible, but something felt off. My skin was freezing and on fire all at once. Usually when I made myself disappear, my skin felt as light as air, tingling lightly. But now, it felt like needles were being stuck into my arms and legs, my stomach and back. Into the skin of my face, into my feet…
The men’s eyes widened and they sucked in deep breaths in unison. They made the sign of the cross on their chests as they stumbled back and out of the cell, leaving the keys hanging in the door. The men ran, slipping across the damp floor as they climbed over one another in their haste to reach the exit. I looked down, comprehending the reason for their fright. Instead of becoming completely invisible, only half of me was discernable.
I couldn’t even imagine what I must have looked like to them. It wasn’t like I was cut down the middle or across the belly, it was like there were blotches of me missing all over; a glitchy hologram that to them, was terrifying. I couldn’t help but be thankful that my tech had faltered. That little mishap gave me the chance to free Titus, and provided a welcome chance to run.
Chapter Fourteen
My fingers shook as I tried to unlock Titus’s cell. “Go. I’ll be right behind you,” he barked, taking the heavy ring of keys from my hand.
I ran up the stairwell and pushed the heavy wooden door open at the top. Stepping into the hallway, I quickly looked left and then right, unsure which way to go. The din of chatter seemed to flow more from the left, so I turned right. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it five feet before I slammed right into the chest of the bird-faced man.
His hands wrapped around my arms, stopping me mid-flight. “My men are ranting about you being an apparition. I’m beginning to wonder if they aren’t right.”
I could hear Titus hesitate on the steps behind me…
My heart thundered. I couldn’t control it. I tried to pull away from him, but my knees felt weak.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, holding me upright. “Eve?”
Suddenly, I couldn’t get enough air. My vision blurred, a dark swarm buzzed in my ears. I was suddenly unable to see him or hear anything but the incessant droning.