Page 144 of Ink Deep Devotion

Blaze’s face falls.

“Thank you, though. Next time. I just need a break from everything.” Literally.

His lips press into a thin line before he nods, weary eyes scanning to find my guards.“You okay?”

I nod as I turn to leave. I search the supply closet, but Avery isn’t there. Is she a mirage, a dream I had that never happened?

Ring! Ring!

I follow the sound and see a phone sitting on a stack of canvases.Ring! Ring!

Ouch! My grip on the phone is so tight it’s arthritis-inducing.“H…hello.”

“There is a set of headphones behind the fifth canvas. Put one earbud in your ear, and put the phone back behind the canvases, but don't hang up. Then, when I tell you to go back to class, go,” Avery orders.

I do as she says and shove the earbud so deep into my ear that I think I punctured the eardrum.

“Okay.” I pivot, looking for cameras, but the supply room doesn’t have any.“How did you know I was here?”

“I have spies everywhere. The phone is encrypted. You can stay in here for another minute, then you will go to your canvas and pretend to talk to Blaze.”

My eyes go dry as my nose fills with the stagnant air.“Is he helping you?”

“No. Tell him you need to pretend to talk to him; he will see your earbud and know you’re on a call. Once we’re done, give him the earbud and tell him to throw it away for you.”

“How…How do you know he will listen to me?”

“Because he hates Dash.”

That’s true.“But won’t he hear?”

“He will only hear you talking. Thirty seconds left. You’re wasting so much time, Mila. I need to know if you decided.”

My shoulders inch up to my ears; it feels like the supplies are closing in on me.“I need more answers, Avery. You could be an enemy, luring me away from my guards so you can kill me.”

She snorts.“Trust your gut if you can still feel it, you’ve been letting your heart rule for so long.”

I brace myself, gripping the canvas firmly.“I trust you. I want to leave.”

“Okay. Go back to your canvas and remember to speak low and don’t react when I begin to tell you the details.”

I take quick, small steps, gasping for breath when I reach my canvas.

“You okay?” Blaze stops painting.“Where is your paint?”

Oh shit. I should have grabbed a tube.

“I need you to help me. Pretend like we’re talking.” My eyes are so wide I fear my eyeballs might jump out to save themselves from this insane plan.

Blaze doesn’t act confused or ask for clarification. He remains expressionless, only his eyes moving. Bingo! The earbud in my ear has been spotted. Blaze knows I hate earbuds — they hurt, so I always choose over-the-ear headphones when I’m painting.

He dips his brush into the mason jar of water and swirls it slowly.“Will this get me killed?” He mutters.

“No,” I hope not.

“Avery,” I whisper.

“Don’t mention my name out loud!”

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