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“Olivia called Cassian as we were walking into the hotel.”

I forgot all about Olivia. She’s probably freaking out right now.

Noah slides his gun into a hidden holster in his waistband and sets his hands on my upper arms, the firm pressure of his touch reassuring. “Did he hurt you?”

“No,” I say, becoming a little wobbly as the gravity of the situation finally hits me.Ethan just broke into my hotel room.“I don’t even know what he wanted. I thought he might try to kidnap me, but when he found out you were coming, he took off.”

Noah pulls me into a tight hug. “Don’t let your guard down. He’s still dangerous.”

I personally know how dangerous Ethan can be, and I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

“Did you know he escaped from prison?” I ask.

“No,” he says, his tone icy. “But I’m about to make a few phone calls.”

I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of those phone calls for anything. I don’t know how much power Noah has, but he sounds like he’s in the mood to fire a whole slew of people.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” he asks.

I nod, stepping out of his arms. “Go ahead—do what you need to. Dinner can wait.”

Noah is on the phone for the next hour. By the time he hangs up, he looks even angrier than he was before.

“The prison is claiming the power went out during a thunderstorm a few nights ago,” he tells me. “Supposedly, the backup generators failed, all the cameras went down, and they lost the lights. When everything came back, half the prisoners in the vampire detention area were gone.”

“And they didn’t think to contact NIHA and let you know?” I exclaim incredulously.

“They said they were going to give us a ‘heads up’ just as soon as they finished searching the area.”

“Oh my word.” I drop my face into my hands, groaning. “They’re actually blaming a storm?”

“That’s what they said, but Chase talked to several local meteorologists, and all they received in Cañon City was a little rain.”

“Ethan told me he has a powerful friend who instructed the guards to let them out.”

Noah turns to face me. “Did he say who?”

“He made it sound like Alfred was involved, even if he’s not directly responsible.”

“He admitted he’s here with Alfred?”

“Not by name. He said his friend is in the area to buy a hotel and then mentioned something about a yacht.”

“Sounds like Alfred to me.” Noah rubs the back of his neck, looking tired. “At least we know we’re on the right track.”

“Did you have any luck figuring out where he’s staying?”

“Not yet.”

A text message vibrates my phone. Still spooked, I jump a little. When I look down, I realize my anxiety is justified.

Unknown number: It was so good to see you, Piper. I’ll contact you again soon.

“It’s Ethan.” A cold, slimy feeling settles in my stomach. “I don’t like that he memorized my number.”

“We should get you a new one.”

“Can you imagine what a mess that would be? I use this cell for work, too.”