Page 25 of Fallen Gods

I stare.

His eyebrows go up. “I was just grabbing Aric. He was supposed to meet me at the dining hall but texted to catch him later. Were you headed somewhere or…?”

“Bathroom,” I blurt. “It’s an emergency!”

I’m better than this.

He nods in slow understanding. “All right then, well, happy…” I can tell he doesn’t know what to say as his hands twist in front of him. “Times.”

I wince. “Could have done better with that.”

“I’m aware.” He sighs. “Oh, and the lights have been going out on the floor, so in about two minutes we have a crew coming up to check things out. If you hear lots of loud noises, you aren’t getting robbed. It’s just maintenance.”

Shit. “Oh. Good, thanks. I would have freaked.”

“Somehow I doubt that, but okay.” He crosses to Aric’s door just as the elevator dings open.

Great. The maintenance crew is here already, meaning I can’t just pick Aric’s lock in broad daylight. Good thing there’s always plan B.

Of course, I don’t like plan B, but it’s all I have.

I wait in the bathroom long enough for Reeve to realize Aric isn’t here, then get back to my room and stare at my bag. It’s not a big deal. Should be easy. I jump up and down to shrug off the stress, then crack my knuckles. He’s out of his room. It’s the perfect time to do a little recon. Figure out how he ticks.

“Fine. Let’s do this,” I say to myself and take a deep breath. Mist is swallowing the edges of campus when I glance out the window, and the gated entrance is empty. Good. No witnesses. Even if there were, my Aethercall would cover me.

My stomach growls, but I ignore it. I have more important things to feed.

I change fast: black leggings, tight top, phone in pocket, braid tucked under my hood, gloves on, a knife from Father’s bag in a sheath at my waist. No dramatics. Just armor.

There are only two things I’m afraid of, heights and open water, but since Aric’s room is right next door, all I have to dois climb out my own window, step along a ten-inch ledge two stories up, and then break into his room. All without falling to my death.

No problem.

Chapter Twelve

Rey

It’s just a ledge. I’m very well trained in a lot of things. Jujitsu. Axe throwing. Even sleight of hand. But a tightrope walk, so not my thing. Something I’m reminded of as I lift the window and then the screen. The air carries the scent of the forest, full of pine and everything that should bring comfort. I focus on that as I climb out of the window and onto the narrow ledge.

Okay. Not so bad. I’m only two stories up. It’s survivable if I fall. Maybe.

I slide my foot along the old cement and press my back against the wall, moving slowly, steadily. It’s windy, but I can manage. What I’m struggling with is that I’m going to have to turn my body on this ledge when I get to Aric’s window, then pull the screen off without making noise or falling to my death.

Would the dormitory door be easier?

Undoubtedly.

But now that I have a maintenance crew standing in the hallway, fixing lights of all things, I’m pretty sure that option is out, and who knows when Aric will be back. I don’t have enough time to let any opportunity to gather intel slip through my fingers. Definitely not for a personal weakness like fear of heights.

Once I’m at his window, I manage to turn myself 180 degrees without more than a slightly panic-inducing teeter on the ledge. Then I pull the screen off and balance it on the ledge beside me before feeling around the edges for a way to lift the ancient latch and enter.

It takes a few minutes to use my blade to jimmy the latch, then another to inch the glass up from the outside. Every few seconds,I scan the grounds behind the dorm, where, aside from one couple cutting across the open yard toward the library, no one else is in sight.

Once I’ve raised the windowpane high enough, I slip inside, quick to turn around and reattach his screen.

His room is still dark, and I know he’s not here. It’s been mere minutes, and I’d have heard him return, plus he had workout clothes on and earbuds in his ears. He was clearly going to work out or for a run.

If he comes back early… Well, would he really expect anything better from my father’s daughter?