Page 140 of Vicious Princess
The one I love will suffer.
With a long controlled exhale, I get my bearings and say, “Roman, you said we’re friends.” He nods, more serious than ever.Actually, now that I think about it…I don’t need to give too much information away. Roman doesn’t need to know the details to execute effectively. I clear my throat. “Then make sure you don’t fucking die today.”
Roman flashes his most dazzling smile at me. “You got it, princess.”
I sense the shift in Daegel’s mood without looking at him when Roman addresses me asprincess.
Who would have thought he’s such a territorial asshole?
Kind of hot, I have to admit.
“Gloria Esclar is not the only target we need to take out,” I say carefully. “Ezkai Daegel was part of the earlier mission, and he reminded me of the shadowy figures that sit on those thrones on a platform. Remember?” Roman nods. “While we don’t know all their identities, because I haven’t met them, it’s safe to assume they’re important.”
Roman frowns. “Why didn’t Ezkai Xander say anything about it?”
“Good question, Cadet Barthol. It could have been a simple mistake of overlooking details, or it could be that Ezkai Xander is under strict orders not to reveal any information he doesn’t think is necessary by the General’s master of spies. He must have his reasons,” Daegel says.
I feel terrible for lying to Roman to cover Daegel’s ass, but before the feeling take roots and blooms into something troublesome, I push all those emotions away and focus on the task at hand.
“Understood, sir,” Roman says. “So we have three targets, potentially. But we only know the face of one.”
“Yes, that’s the issue. Because we don’t have the numbers, we need to be careful about how we approach this,” I say.
“Why don’t we just get more Ezkai to help us?”
Roman’s question is valid. I’m speechless, trying to find an answer that won’t expose Daegel?—
“There’s no time, cadet,” Daegel says curtly. “We must go inside in a minute.”
Quickly, Daegel shares the new plan with Roman. Then we’re on the move.
Thankfully,Roman asks no questions when instead of using one of the scouted back entrances, we use the fourth one the Ezkai don’t know about. Wordlessly, I lead the way. If Roman does have questions, I can explain that this is the back entrance I used to leave after meeting with Gloria.
No need to involve Daegel.
The alley is quiet, and there’s nobody outside, just like the last time. I open up my senses, reaching beyond the door in front of us, but it’s only emptiness. Just as I reach for the handle to yank it open, Daegel hisses, “Masks! Put on your damn masks!”
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I see that he’s already wearing his—not an inch of his face is visible.
“Right,” I murmur and pull around the mask that rests on the back of my head and secure it over my face.
Despite it covering only my face, it feels like impenetrable shield. With an exhale, I pull the door handle, and then we’re in.
The temperature inside the warehouse dips a couple of degrees. We pause and listen. I extend my senses to feel out where the nearest fae are, but there are none.
We only need to be aware of other Decarios.
“Let’s move,” Daegel orders in a whisper and takes charge.
Roman and I stick close to the cold, damp walls as we rush through the intricate network of corridors leading to Gloria’s office.
Just as we turn another corner and I think we’ve arrived, it turns out to be another empty corridor. It hits me—I would not find my way here on my own.
Daegel knows this place like the palm of his hand. I wonder how often he visits, and most importantly,why.
One more left turn, and two more right turns before the familiar metal staircase emerges in front of us.
Daegel lifts a hand, and we pause.
