Page 71 of First Offense

If I hadn’t seen the exterior, I would have thought we were entering a proper building. There was fluorescent lighting, polished marble floors, and pristine white walls.

The guard led the way, the wide interior large enough for me to fully expand my wings without touching the ceiling or the sides. Novak’s cot rolled effortlessly over the ground as well, not hitting a single bump as the Nora dragged him toward our destination.

We went through another set of gates—with a second code I memorized.

And then we turned into a new corridor lined with steel doors.

Our new accommodations.

The Nora led us all the way to the end, opening the door with a swipe of his card and revealing a room I would expect to stay in at a hotel, not at a prison. I arched a brow. “This is certainly an upgrade.”

“This prison is typically used for those on the edge of reform,” he said. “Like a class-one prison for those who have committed minor crimes. It was the closest one within hopping range, and also significantly less populated than the others.”

I studied this guard. He’d been rather informative, and almost respectful. “What’s your name?” I asked him. I’d not seen him before. Or maybe I had and just hadn’t noticed. It wasn’t like I’d spent much time studying the guards.

“Jerin,” he replied.

“Nice to meet you, Jerin.”

“You’re only saying that because I actually answered your questions,” he replied, taking Novak over to the sole bed in the room. While it certainly was large enough for the three of us, I wasn’t thrilled by the prospect of what it insinuated.

I’d just sleep on the floor.

And Novak would, too.

“Or maybe because you’ve realized your new digs has a private bathroom,” he added with a grin.

“Both are adequate reasons to be pleased by your acquaintance,” I said, lowering Layla onto the mattress as far away from Novak as possible. The only reason I let him remain there was because I assumed he wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon. Sayir likely wanted to unload everyone into their respective rooms first.

Later, I’d sleep by the door, and he’d take the spot by the window. It wasn’t barred, but I suspected it wouldn’t be easy to break either. It might even be enchanted like the ones at the old prison. Regardless, I didn’t trust that entryway. So he’d guard it, like I’d guard the door.

“Need any help with the other inmates?” I asked, wanting an opportunity to learn more about our surroundings.

“Sure,” he replied, the stretcher already at the door.

I followed him back out, noting his codes along the way and surveying every inch of the interior with each trip in and out.

I also noted where Raven, Sorin, and Zian went—into the cell two doors down from ours, their room similar but not quite as large.

Once we were finished, Sayir met us in the hallway. “I’ll release them from their sleep in an hour or so, then a meal will be delivered. We’ll have to determine a new schedule as well.”

“If you need any assistance, let me know,” I offered, wanting to take advantage of any chance he would provide me with to understand more about this prison. For example, if it was going to suddenly breathe fire, I’d like to know how to escape and where to go.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he murmured. “For now, just keep an eye on Layla. And consider asking her to discuss Nora rules in depth. Search for whatever she might disagree on. Perhaps it’ll help facilitate the reform, or shed light on an opportunity.”

It seemed like he was offering me a plan without specific tasks, or perhaps hinting at a solution without providing the explicit ingredients. Rather than demand he elaborate, I merely nodded.

“I’ll be locking down the doors in five minutes,” he added. “I suggest you be inside her room when I do.”

I dipped my chin in acknowledgment and headed back to our new quarters.

Layla and Novak hadn’t moved. Rather than nudge the latter to the floor, I merely sat on the bed and watched the door.

It closed and locked, just as Sayir said it would.

Then I waited for something to happen. Anything. Maybe another fire, or bullets, or a toxic gas, but all remained quiet.

Except for a little scratching sound that drew my attention to the only table in the room. I crept over and crouched, expecting to find something nefarious. But it was only Clyde digging a hole into the plaster of the wall. He poked his little head out, gave me a look, and went back to work.