Arryn continues to stare at us both until she finally nods, satisfied by our acquiescence. She then slides open the door and peers around it, before giving the all clear for us to step out of the damp concrete tunnel and into the familiar whitewashed corridors of Lengard.

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

It’s only been a week, but it feels like years since I last walked along the sterile hallways with their black-and-white tiles and bright halogen lights. The cleanliness of our new surroundings makes me feel grubbier than ever, and I have the irrational urge to run my rust-covered fingers along the white walls. But then I remember we’re meant to be flying under the radar. Perhaps another time I can come back and leave my mark—literally— on the pristine environment, making it as dirty on the outside as it is on the inside.

“This way,” Cami whispers to me, gesturing that we’re to take a right at the first intersection we reach. Arryn gives us a parting glance before heading down the left path without another word. I sincerely hope the two of them were telling the truth about being able to navigate the underground labyrinth. It would be all too easy to get lost down here.

An inestimable amount of time passes as we zigzag our way through the corridors, but eventually I begin to recognize our surroundings, as though an unconscious memory is kicking in the closer we move to our destination. I know these paths now, my confidence growing despite my palms beginning to sweat. I haven’t forgotten Arryn’s warning—Ward could still be under Manning’s control. If he is, that’s going to make rescuing him significantly more challenging. And if he’s not … given how we parted ways a week ago, that’s going to be almost as uncomfortable, at least for me. But there’s nothing for it. We need to get him safely away from here, whatever it takes.

Finally, we come to a stop at the door to his suite. I nervously check the hallways, straining my ears for any signs of approaching footsteps, but it’s clear. I nod to Cami, knowing she’s the only one of the two of us with legitimate access to his room, and she places her hand on the bio-sensor, the door sliding open with a familiar whoosh.

We haven’t spoken since leaving Arryn, neither of us voicing a plan for retrieving Ward once we find him. That seems foolish, in hindsight. But not knowing what state he’ll be in and whether he’ll cooperate makes any kind of advance planning difficult. First, we need to locate him—the rest we can play by ear.