Okay. That was something. This was going to work. “If I skip out on work to take the test, it’s not like anyone would notice? It’s just me out there.”

“Shit, girl. I’m your supervisor. You can’t ask me about how to skip out on work. If one of the officers finds out, I’ll—” Tyler wiped a hand down his face.

Ahiga rose from the stool. “If you won’t answer this for her, how am I supposed to believe you’ll keep her secret?”

“It’s not the same thing.” Tyler held his ground as Ahiga stepped toward him.

Oh man. This could get ugly. “You don’t want me to die.” I slid down off of the bed and stepped gingerly toward Tyler. My feet were still a little numb and tender, but I could walk a couple of steps. So that was something.

I took another step and looked up into his blue eyes. “We both know that my job is a death sentence. I don’t want to die, and I know you don’t want me to die. Please, just tell me. Once I’ve checked in, and I’m out there, does anyone look for me? Will you have to monitor me?”

Tyler stared at the ground for a long minute, and I gave him a second to think about what I was asking. If something went wrong and he covered for me, it was his ass on the line, too.

“No one will look for you,” he said finally. “But your tracker will give you away.”

“I can help with that,” Ahiga said.

“But I need to know you won’t turn me in or get into trouble if I walk off the job,” I said to Tyler.

Tyler stood there, staring me down in silence. I wanted to fidget as I waited for his response, but I forced myself to be patient. I hadn’t known him for long, but every time he decided something, he liked to think about it for a second. So I gave him the space he seemed to need.

“Okay,” Tyler said, breaking the silence. “I’ll help you get to the test, but if you get your five runs, then I’m going to need a favor.”

“Tyler, you help me, and I’ll make sure it’s worth your while. I swear. Even if I don’t pass the test.” I meant it. I needed his help for this, and if I got away from here alive, I would owe him big.

I could do this. I’d make it happen or die trying. No one was getting the best of me. Not Abaddon. And definitely not Jason Murtagh.

Chapter Twenty-Four

I woke up with a scream, sweating. Still smelling the scent of sulfur in the air. I gagged and leaned over the bed in case I threw up, but slowly my nausea eased, and I could breathe again.