Page 39 of Smoke and Blood

When she saw Michaela in her shoes and move to the door, the other woman grabbed the handle and clawed at the frame as if she had just realized she was locked in, imprisoned in walls that were supposed to keep them safe.Michaela’s actions revealed how close to hysterics she resided.

Avalore wasn’t sure how far away she was from losing her own shit.This place wasn’t safe, this place offered a façade.And Avalore wasn’t sure how she’d reconcile her anger that she volunteered to condemn herself to such a place.What was really going on here?

“I’ll get it.”Shaking the keys, she followed Michaela’s steps.Avalore’s hands shook as she sorted through the keys on the ring, trying one after the other until she got to the one that fit and unlocked the door.

There was a snick, then the handle turned, and they dashed out of the room.They pulled the door shut and locked the unconscious man inside.Standing at the door for a moment, the two of them looked left and right down the empty corridors and considered which way to go.

Avalore knew if they went left, it would lead them toward the lab and the pathway back toward the ballroom, perhaps still filled with the indulgent rich.Those were the last places they needed to go—no help would be found in that direction.

“This way.”Taking Michaela’s hand, she dragged the other woman beside her as they went right.

“There’s a back hallway at the end,” Michaela informed her.

Avalore didn’t want to ask how she knew what lay in this direction.To her knowledge, the handlers only took them to the lab since they had been there.

“Okay.We’ll try it.”

As they rushed on, Michaela tugged against her hand and whispered urgently, “We have to be quiet...because there’s—”

Avalore stared into the lucid and fear-filled gaze of her sister in bondage, which was how she would think of this situation from now on.They voluntarily gave themselves over to being bonded and misused for digits on an account.Standing at a long, dark hall entrance, she waited for Michaela to finish.

The lights flickered and then brightened the area around them.

The handlers had arrived.“Shit.This may be our only chance, Mich.”

Yanking the other woman behind, Avalore pulled her along.

Michaela’s slippers slapped fast along the hard floor and echoed down the barren hall, filled with the same sense of urgency.

They passed a handful of darkened rooms but didn’t stop as they flew down the hall that ended at another wide door.

Releasing her hold on Michaela, Avalore fumbled through the keys, trying to open the locked door.

Muffled voices came from somewhere down the hall.

“Hurry, Ava.”Michaela urged as she smacked her palm against the door as if she were willing it to open.

“I’m trying.”Just as she got the right key in and turned the lock, the hall was filled with two sounds that merged into one; a blaring alarm and something so unholy pierced the dim area and vibrated the air around them.

Avalore couldn’t even describe the sound; it was something she’d never heard before.It was rough, growly, muted, and piercing simultaneously.

“No,” Michaela whimpered as she shoved through the door.

Not expecting the jolt, Avalore stumbled momentarily.When she got her footing, she looked up to find trucks and vans inside—a parking lot filled with medical transport and military vehicles.

Michaela ran, but Avalore went to the door of one vehicle after the other and tried the handles.They were locked.None of the few keys fit.

She knew she could not waste any more time trying to get into the vans; they’d have to continue making their escape on foot.

“Over here!”Michaela called out, waving her to the tunnel large enough to drive the vehicles down.

Together, they sprinted, running for their lives down the long, dim tunnel.

“Damn it.”Avalore’s steps stuttered when they arrived at the end to find the way blocked by a gate.

“Oh, no.We have to get out of here.”Michaela stood with her head pressed to the flat, metal gate.

Avalore wasn’t even sure what lay on the other side; all she knew was that she had to find a way for them to escape.She looked around, and finally, her gaze landed on a big wheel with thick cords running from it to the ceiling, where another mechanism held the other part of the cord around it.

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