Page 141 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

“Natalio?” the shorter one said. “What are you doing out so late?”

Crow thought back to the mind of the guard at the inn, remembering names and places… and recalling his cockiness.

“I was on leave,” she said. Her voice came out deep and loud—a man’s voice. It may not have sounded exactly like the man she was pretending to be, but it was close enough. “Olivos said we were short-staffed and I needed to return by tonight. I should be out getting laid right now, but here we are.”

“Best get used to it,” the taller one said. “Leave schedules are not a priority here.” He made a gesture toward Crow. “Hands up.”

She realized he meant to search her before she entered. A jolt of fear went through her. The glamour wouldn’t hide her shape from their hands when they touched her.

But they’d know something was amiss if she protested.

She raised her hands to her sides.

“Don’t forget to check down there,” she said, pointing in the direction of her crotch. “That’s where I keep the goods.”

The guard raised an eyebrow, unamused. He brushed his hands over her shoulders, and she saw him frown as he tried to reconcile what he was seeing with what he was feeling under his hand.

She jerked a hand forward to brush against his cheek. He glanced up at her face, surprised.

Calm. This is what you expected. Nothing is wrong.

The guard’s face went a little slack, his eyes heavy-lidded. His mind was easy to infiltrate unnoticed.

When she moved her hand away, the man’s eyes cleared, and he swallowed.

“It’s… We’re… fraternization among staff isn’t allowed,” he said quietly. Behind him, the other guard was giving them both an odd look.

“That’s too bad,” Crow said. The guard quickly finished his search, distracted and unaware of what she’d done. He signaled someone on the wall above, and the gate opened.

Behind them, there was a faint shifting of light, a flicker of shadow at the gate just as it opened—the only sign of Vaara’s presence.

“Thank you,” Crow said with a wink in the tall one’s direction—which was probably a little over the top for the character she was playing. She could have sworn she heard a soft sigh somewhere in the darkness nearby. The guard just gave her another uncertain look, then gestured for her to move on.

She walked past them into the empty courtyard inside the walls, down the path, past another set of guards, through the front doors, and then she was enclosed by thick, cold walls. Layers of them. A cage within a cage.

She looked around, scanning the shadows. Vaara appeared out of the darkness beside her. Unlike the last time they’d been here, she didn’t jump in surprise.

“You can’t help yourself, can you?” he said.

“Old habits die hard. Are you all right?”

His face was set in hard lines. “Fine.”

Crow smiled, glancing back the way they’d come. “That was easy.”

“We’re not done yet.”

“One must take the time to celebrate small victories, Vaara. There are so few victories in life, after all.” On a whim, she moved to kiss him again.

“Ah—!” He put a hand up in front of her. “Not while you look like that.”

“Ah. I forgot. Sorry.”

“When we’re finished,” he promised. “Which way is Alexei’s room?”

She motioned for him to follow. “This way.”

“You’re certain he’ll be there?”

---