Page 128 of The Secrets of Jane: Reborn

Another one yawns. “I know, I know. I hate night shifts withbaking.”

“I’ve been up since the sun was down. Jesper had us make a giant meal.”

“Forwho?”

The two women round a corner wearing black robes; one is older, and one probably younger than me.

Perfect. Those clothes will fit.

Anya and I both attack, placing our hands over their mouths with kitchen blades at their throats. “You can squeal, and we’ll cut you. Or drink that tea, and you’ll wake up alive,” Anya says.

They both nod feverishly as we guide them to the tea, the women bringing the cups to their mouths as we remove our hands, both looking at each other like it might be worth— “Don’t make this bloody,” I warn, my blade still at her throat.

They both drink the tea, the effects happening so swiftly I hope I didn’t make ittoostrong. There’s something about killing someone who also has a weapon in hand, but it’s a harder concept when it’s two people wholookinnocent.

As they slump to the floor, Anya and I quickly disrobe them and change ourselves.

“You should know, Jane,” Anya says, her words muffled when she puts her head through an underdress. “I’m severely weakened right now.” Her gaze connects with mine, a slight desperation in there. “I’m stealthy, not a warrior. If you need to run, yourun. I beg you to.”

“Let’s just go,” I say, her words hitting my mind but none of them sinking in. I can’t consider that right now. I couldn’t even let Kathleen run into a fire without following, even when I thought that me getting caught would riskthousands.

We’re slow and cautious as we move forward, working with hand signals and pausing frequently. Especially once upon thekitchen, which is staffed with a minimal number of people for prep work.

At some point, we actually make it past, having no idea where we’re going, and then there arestairs.

Up.

A way out.

“How violent are we committing to be?” I ask. “I don’t like stabbing people that don’t look like they deserve it. I might freeze.”

Anya looks back at me, her gaze moving all over this dark staircase. “I don’t know.” She shrugs, facing ahead. “If it was Soren, they’d all be spiked on the walls without a second thought… and since my job is to get you out, I’ll do whatever that takes.”

I breathe calmly, knowing it’s my resolve that’s needed now. Okay, I’ll just do what feels right in the moment. Personal desires aside, Misery cannot have me.I have to reallytry.

Mom didn’t get a choice whether she wanted to be involved or not.

When we open a service door at the top of the stairs, we’re greeted by the livid, dark eyes ofJesper.

J A N E

Idon’t know how Dad ever managed this—facing his enemies without being scared shitless. Right now, my insides are coiled so tightly that I’m sure I’ll vomit if I so much as exhale too deeply. My palms are slick with sweat, knowing that what is to follow will be the worst moment of my life.

They’re going to hurt me. Badly.

How do I get Anya out of here?

Jesper’s face is sewn together with threads of fury, his silken shirt covered in food stains. He focuses on Anya. “Grab her. LeaveJaneto me.”

We both rapidly descend the stairs, and I even skip a few steps as we reach the bottom, only to be greeted by the sound of many approaching. “She’s this way!” The shout ricochets down the hall.

My pulse spikes, my heart hammering against my ribcage.

I stare at the long, dark pathway, the flickering torchlight the only movement until the shadows of at least two dozen guards move against the walls, and right behind me is Anya. It’s either forward or up those stairs.

Shit.

It isn’t even worth trying to fight, the guards converging on Anya, taking her up the stairs as she silently writhes in their grip.