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“Well, I did.”

“And quite well,” he added. “Remind me to stay on your good side.”

“Who says I have one?” she retorted as he kept a grip on the guard with one hand while using the other to tote a chair to the elevator. He plopped it on the threshold, making it so the doors couldn’t fully shut. Smart. It would prevent anyone from using it and sneaking up on them.

“You’re too beautiful to be mean all the time,” Capricorn stated as he dragged the man, who wisely didn’t fight, to the locked door for the labs. He held his face up to the scanner.

“Flattery won’t make me like you.”

“What will?” he queried as the door opened.

“Helping me escape here alive, for one.”

“Was already planning to do that.”

“Care to share the rest of your plan?”

“I don’t have one,” he replied. “I’m totally winging this.”

“Of course you are,” she muttered as she followed him into the corridor lined with doors that led to labs.

“Which one has the relic?” he asked with a frown.

“Assuming they placed it back in mine, then number thirteen.”

“And if it’s not there?” He hauled the guard by the collar of his shirt and began walking.

“Then I guess we check them all.”

Luck proved to be on their side. As soon as the door to her workspace opened, she saw the sphere sitting in its cradle.

“We’ll need something to carry it in,” he suggested. “Preferably with a strap so I can wear it and keep my hands free.”

“Who says you get to carry it? It is technically mine,” she retorted just for the sake of arguing.

“You want to carry it, go right ahead.”

Zora scrounged in the cupboards under the counter. She already knew there was no satchel. However, a lab coat, combined with the soldier’s utility belt, allowed her to fashion a sling of sorts, which she wore.

“Ready, Beauty? Because it’s time to blow this joint. But let’s skip the elevator and use the stairs.”

“Assuming there are some.”

“Oh, there’s stairs. A place like this wouldn’t risk becoming inaccessible in a power failure.”

“I wish the power would go out,” she grumbled. “That siren is annoying.” It hadn’t stopped blaring, and her head pulsed with the shrillness of it.

“Just a bit longer, Beauty. Freedom awaits.”

Capricorn exited the lab, still dragging the guard, and headed back for the chamber with the elevator. An unmarked door to the side simply required a swipe of the key card they’d stolen.

He stuck his head for a peek before stating, “Found the stairs and they appear to be clear.”

Surprising, or, then again, maybe not. The sudden silence as the alarm abruptly cut out left her ears ringing, but she still heard Crius shout through the intercom, “All available units to the main entrance. Intruders inside the perimeter. Do not let them inside.”

Capricorn raised his brows. “Sounds like someone’s getting raided.”

“Their timing is impeccable,” she remarked as they began ascending—the resigned guard thumping and grunting at each jolting step. At least he got a free ride. Zora’s thighs protested the climb.