Page 112 of Heir of Illusion

“Miss me?” Griffen asks myeidolon, amusement shining in his eyes as if this precarious situation is of no concern to him.

My jaw drops open, and I’m grateful no one else can see the shocked expression on my face. What is he doing here? How did he find me? A new realization sets in, bringing a fiery anger with it. Did Thorne order him to watch me? Has he been following me this entire time?

“What are you doing here?” Rose whispers.

“Saving you, of course.” Griffen winks.

My eyes nearly roll back into my skull at that response.

“I don’t need your help,” Rose says, her voice clipped. “Leave. Now.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, my lady,” he responds. “Bosses orders.”

I want to scream at the confirmation of Thorne’s interference. Who does he think he is? Just because he’s a God doesn’t give him the right to intervene in my life. I’m not one of his subjects. He has no authority here.

“Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?” Alice asks, pulling my attention back to our current situation.

Griffen thankfully follows my lead and stays silent.

“Well then,” Alice sighs when we don’t answer. “He can wait with us.”

My brows scrunch.

“Wait for what?” Rose asks.

A bright smile breaks across her face. “You’ll see.”

Fuck.

Griffen being here changes things. Continuing with my original plan means I’m no longer risking only my own life, I’m risking his too. And unlike me, Griffen doesn’t have aneidolonto take his place. Frustration tightens my muscles until they burn. This was my one chance at freedom.

Butis your freedom worth more than his life?

My gaze flits toward Griffen, noticing the way he’s shifted his body slightly in front of Rose. We don’t know each other very well, but he jumped into a fight where he is severely outnumbered in order to help me. I steel myself as determination settles into my veins. I know what I have to do.

Moving to stand directly behind Griffen, I balance on my tiptoes to bring my mouth closer to his ear. If anyone else hears me, our chance at survival will be over before it begins.

“Don’t say anything,” I whisper, only loud enough for him to hear.

His body tenses, and his mouth opens to speak.

“I said to be quiet,” I remind him. “This is going to sound insane, but the person next to you isn’t me.”

“How?” he asks, barely moving his mouth.

“You remember my special trick?” I ask, referencing the time I disappeared before his eyes. “Let’s just say I have a few more of those.” Hopefully, he doesn’t ask for more details. “Listen, I’m going to provoke the one in red. As soon as he makes his move, I need you to take out the two big guys on the left. The ones holding the knives. See them?”

He nods subtly.

“After that, we make a run for that first door and try to lose the rest of them inside the buildings. Sound good?”

He dips his chin once more, pretending to glance at his feet. Taking a deep breath, I move around Rose and crouch down, ready to strike.

“Taron, isn’t it?” Rose breaks the silence.

His eyes snap to her, crinkling with confusion. “Do I know you?”

She shakes her head.

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