ction. Cassian Vanguard thought he was the only one in his

her wasted night, and I certainly couldn't afford to let Cassian discover why I

d my face, and checked my equipment. Five minutes later, I slip

wing, keeping my attention on the doors and corners

zing the layout and the routes leading to Cassian'

e lock was more advanced than an ordinary household sy

m shattered

LERT. REST

mn

estricted wing. All units, respond immediately." Footsteps thunde

er floor. Che

around the corner, their flashlights sweeping across the walls. I sl

with folded linen stood against the walls, and a n

ck

ve away my position, and the guards were already searching

outside. Another voice answered, "Adrian

ered myself behind a stack of linen and kept my

r opened, and a flashlight

hind thos

ecked the nearest shelves before moving toward the opposite wall. I remaine

stairwell. Possible movement near the landing." The gua

ervice door remained locked, so I returned to the main

pt

aching from the stairwell, and another team was checking the rooms near th

ridor. A second alarm sounded, s

he upper floor," the se

t found me, but the s

cabinet just as two guards appeared at the far end o

t corridor

et. The guards approached. Their footsteps grew louder until I

ed a few

hear so

the alar

not to assu

ess. I held my position. Before it reach

he main stairwell. Mr.

waited until their footsteps

assian's team was organized, and the longer I remained on that

r leading around the main hallway. It was longer, but it brought me closer t

roaching. I slipped into a laundry

ds passe

the laundry ro

haven't checked t

e heading toward my room. I ha

e laundry room and continued through the service corridor. At t

ea

arters. My door was only a few steps away. I o

ness, listening to the alarm and

ked my gloves and face covering, and returned every item to its place. I changed into m

d at the clock. Only a few minu

es called. "Open

inking as if the light hurt my eyes. M

r the alarm?

am. It wo

ked past me i

eft this ro

N

ed beneath the bed, opened the wardrobe, and examined the space ar

und n

clear,"

"Stay here until

cour

until their footsteps disappeared befo

to my room without being seen. My clothes were hidden, my equipment was

have felt

message from Don Marcell

Did you trig

I hadn't told him the

reply, another

LO: Answer

understand how he could possibly k

eave that room. Someo

ruck my do

an's voice called

wasn't one of the guards

oked through the narrow gap beside the

wasn'

readable as he turned the screen toward Cassian. I couldn't se

something from the

the screen. His ex

g her

inst my ribs. Then C

quietly. "I kno

racing. He couldn't have seen my fac

ad they d

le began

ing Cassian Vanguard's home, I had