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CHAPTER 1 - KNOXE

Knoxe

Fuck me, we were doing this. Retrieving the compass for the thief avatar was the craziest pursuit of my Guardian career, topping my report to the warden that started the feud with Devon’s gang, going to the Fae casino to win money to repay Astra’s debt, and even stupider than hiding Raze’s secret of being an illegal gantii within the Guild.

Damn. Maybe Tor and I were more alike than I cared to admit. After all, he

got us into this mess by making a bargain with Mads. Risky business when we might earn more time on our sentences if we were caught breaking into a Guardian vault to retrieve a compass. Harsh punishment for him and me if we were found conspiring.

Tor might be reckless sometimes, ask for damn trouble and take us down for the count with him, but he was also a skilled negotiator, wheeling and dealing to obtain and sell contraband in the prison and outside. Prowess that bargained for our woman’s location and data to track all the missing Guardians and payments to corrupt guards and the families of inmates.

At first, I was pissed at him for summoning the thief avatar and making a bargain with him. Three actually. Sunset’s location. Hideouts of all the missing Guardians. And payment trails to guards and the families of inmates. Did I want to do serious damage to Tor’s Tommy Hilfiger face. Once my anger subsided, I wanted to kiss the bloody brilliant idiot.

In all fairness, no one made the best decisions under duress. Tor wasn’t the only one losing it, we all were when Styx, the head of the rogue vampire faction, took our woman and we didn’t know where she was or how long she’d stay alive. This foolish mission was worth it if we saved Sunset and earned our freedom in the process.

Without Tor’s trade, it would have taken us months to comb through and piece together the files on the USB Vartros gave us. Sunset would be dead by then.

“I’ll get the compass from the vault.” Tor made the valiant offer. “It only seems fair since I made the deal. Plus, I’ve got more time on my sentence, and I can spend it with Supergal, protecting her.”

Over my dead fucking body. Astra was getting out with all of us, period. No fucking negotiations.

As for the compass retrieval, I was the best person for the job. Cool-headed. Logical. Efficient. Tor was wobbly on his feet with his exoskeleton and might stumble over and trip a sensor that alerted security. Pascal rested in the hospital from his injuries, eliminating him. Loco was crazy enough to do this without any convincing to save his daughter, but I wasn’t taking a chance with his volatility. Serena was out of the question, when she might write me up for an infraction and report me to the warden. I didn’t give a fuck if I was caught and earned a longer sentence so long as my Sunset survived.

Once I completed this insane task, I’d twist Serena’s arm to seek approval to retrieve Astra based on the data the thief avatar supplied. She didn’t need to know how we obtained it. Being a mother and close with Loco, I doubt she’d say no, but if she did, I’d figure out how to get her onside. She adhered to the Guardian code of not leaving a man behind.

“No, I’ll do this,” I replied to Tor. “I protect the team and take the heat. It’s my job.”

Fuck Vancor. Several red flags waved in my mind, starting with why he initially didn’t permit us to return to the scene to collect evidence, samples, and locate the portaling device. Critical proof for us to determine the location of the remainder of the deserter prisoners. Instead, he wanted us to question the captives. Leaving the scene encouraged cover-ups by any traitors we didn’t capture, depriving us of more leads.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Our new warden also cuffed Pascal to suppress his expanding powers and leave him weak and unable to defend himself against the vampires that jumped him. Vartros would never have put Pascal in that position, knowing wearing the cuffs sent him into an anxious spiral that could have compromised our mission. For that, Astra’s kidnapping was on the Vancor’s head.

And why did the asshole allow Tor out into the field using an untested and unapproved exoskeleton technology, going against the Work Health Safety, medical clearance, and technology safety policies?

This led me to the conclusion that the new warden was connected to Vartros’ list of corrupt Guild officers and families. I just had to sift through the USB device to find solid proof.

Tor grabbed his cock through his pants and squeezed. “All right, fine. But I’ve still got the bigger magick wand.”

“Breaking into the vault doesn’t equate to having the bigger magic wand,” I reminded him.

“Have it your way, bossman.” Tor clapped me on the shoulder, and my ego relished that he still recognized me as his leader, not Serena. “It’s better than calling the person doing the deed a fucking crazy idiot.”

Tor clamped a hand on my shoulder and signaled for me to shut it, pointing to the watchers and our guard Ben rousing as the thief avatar’s magick began to wear off them. Mads sent them to sleep, interrupted the camera feed into the room, and probably caused a mass blackout with his mischievous energy, which hacked into any computer.

“Let’s get back to it.” I clapped my hand to direct Tor back to his computer to review the data on the USB provided by Vartros and the new one supplied by Mads.

The two of us slid into our seats as if nothing godly just invaded this room and bargained to steal our tech.

Ben yawned and scrubbed down his face from eyebrows, nose, to mouth and chin. “I need another coffee. Anyone want one?” He moved to the pot in the back of the Watch Tower where prisoners kept it constantly full.

One of the few luxuries we had in here. While inside this bay, our team was protected from others who might try to enter and use the steaming liquid as a weapon. Gang members used this trick to exact revenge, and they were permanently banned from the Watch Tower and handed heavier sentences.

Tor shot out of his seat, doing his charming act. “Would love one, thanks.” He hugged Ben, glaring at me over his shoulder, signaling for me to get the damn compass. “Yours always tastes better.”

Ben eyed him when Tor let him go. “All right, what do you want?”

My fingers tensed over the mouse I pretended to scroll the computer screen with. This was why Vartros chose Ben as his closest ally. Nothing got past the guard, he didn’t accept bribes or leave threats unpunished.

Tor wrapped his massive arms over his chest, feigning innocence. “Can’t a man get pampered in here? Supergal always makes my coffee. I miss her and need a little loving.”

“Make your own, asshole.” Ben nudged him and they shared a laugh.

I cleared my throat. “I’ve gotta take a leak. Be right back, Ben.”

“Go for it,’ Ben replied. “I’ll be here being Tor’s bitch.”

“Come here and hug me, Ben.” Tor threw his arms over the guard, going over the top with his act.

My nerves were on edge as I made a break for it down the hall, maintaining a steady pace to avoid alerting any sentries of my objective. Within a few minutes, I made my way to the laundry facility, where I found what I needed to break into the vault without setting off any warnings.

Alarms. Fuck. The vault was likely laced with motion detectors. We didn’t think that one through carefully before negotiating with Mads. I’d try my luck and broker another clause before handing over the compass and avoid really fucking myself. If the odds didn’t swing in my favor, well, at least the rest of the team would get Sunset back.

I stuffed the vial of mothman spit in my pocket and backtracked to the bathroom.

Thank you, Raze, my man.

Sitting by his side while he was sick and delirious in the hospital from werewolf venom poisoning, I inadvertently overheard murmurs about his stash of mothman spit, the key to jumping through a portal into the locked vault.

Fuck you, thief avatar.

I didn’t care if he heard my prayer… curse… whatever. Trust the slippery con artist to demand such an impossible exchange and provide me with zero assistance when he slipped in and out of the prison with his god’s magick. He could have poofed into the vault with ease, but no, he wanted to make us sweat and work for the data.

I swore, he better not screw us and steal this tech. Mads proclaimed the need to hide the compass from the Fae searching for it, which seemed legit, since they cornered us on a mission, demanding we get it for them. Karma always came back around, didn’t it?

Huddled in the restroom cubicle, I got to work, uncapping the vial and pouring a drop onto my finger. I had no idea how much to use or if I needed a damn spell word. Cameras captured most areas of the prison, even the bathrooms, for prisoner security, but they didn’t reach inside the stalls.

Guardians traveled out of the prison from the Terra Room only. That way, no gantii or other forces could penetrate the prison beyond the magically protected walls. But since I was already inside the fortress, those rules didn’t apply.

Fuck, here goes.

Sweat dampened my forehead, palms, and neck as I swiped my finger vertically through the air, tearing through the veil and commanding, “Transfer me inside the Guardians’ vault.”

Blue light shimmered, illuminating the cubicle’s walls. Wary of it showing on the damn cameras, I flung myself through the portal, stumbling inside the darkened Guardians’ vault, knocking into something. Slammed with portal sickness, I groped for position, bracing myself against a shelf. A flaming sword provided the only light in the cramped space. Any moment now, the motion sensors would detect me and flick the lights on, setting off a warning to the sentries. I had to be quick. In and out. Bargain with Mads to save my hind end if the cameras captured footage of me.

When my dizziness bottomed out, I gathered my bearings.

Seven rows of shelves stored magical items, texts, weapons, and ingredients. Prisoners weren’t allowed inside the vault, only the warden and sentries, and a prickle of excitement glossed over my neck. Seconds ticked down as I picked up the sword, using it as a torch, hurrying through the vault’s contents. Concrete set in my gut as I searched the items, finding the compass on the fifth shelf, between a crossbow and dagger. Magick tingled in my fingertips as I lifted it and wrapped it in my palm.

“I’ve got it, thief avatar,” I called out, a frantic drumbeat playing in my head, hoping he didn’t make me sweat it out in here, only coming to my rescue when the guards arrived.

Green magick sparkled as Mads solidified inside the vault, grinning at me like a cocky bastard. “I didn’t think you had the balls.”

“You could have slipped this yourself, you know,” I growled at him.

He checked his fingernails. “Where’s the fun in that?” The tricky bastard kept them short and clean, letting others do his dirty work. “I believe you owe me that.” He stretched out a hand.

“Uh-ah.” I tucked my hand behind my back. “Get me out of here first. Erase any footage of me inside here. Deactivate any alarm that was set off by the motion detectors.”

Mads leaned his head to one side. “We’ve already made the deal.”

“I don’t give a fuck. Change it.”

The thief avatar swaggered up to me, unafraid, eyes glinting with mischief. “I could take the compass and leave you locked inside here.”

My hands fisted over the compass. I’d fight him to protect it if I had to. Man versus avatar. “Tor was under duress when he made the bargain. Can’t you grant us leeway for forgetting a few clauses?”

Mads’ lips pursed in deliberation, and I wanted to lift him off the ground by his Dior shirt or whatever the hell he was wearing. “Just this once. Next time, check your stipulations. I’m an avatar of contracts and can’t be seen granting favors for everyone who makes a deal.”

I clapped him on the shoulder and shook him. “You aren’t so bad, after all.”

“I’m getting soft in my old age.” He winked us out of there, transporting us to the same bathroom cubicle, scored by graffiti. “I blame the kids wrapping me around their fingers, getting Daddy to steal them cookies. That and my wife, Locke’s, Cupid powers.”

“Love’s powerful stuff.” I dropped the compass into his waiting palm.

“It worked its magick on me,” he chuckled, admiring the cubicle as if wary of touching any edge. “I hated that old, grumpy asshole, Hades. Now I kinda like him. We golf together now. Who would have thought?”

I barked out a laugh. A fucking laugh. Me, an equally sullen asshole. “Don’t get too soft.”

“Thanks for not wrecking the Gucci.” He tucked the compass into his breast pocket. “It’s my last one. The wife won’t let me steal any more.”

Perks of being the avatar of Hermes. No one could arrest him when he’d vanish without a trace and leave no evidence behind.

Mads’ eyes sparkled with a new idea. “When you get out of here, you’re not up for grabbing me some more shirts, are you? The wife can’t give me the silent treatment if they’re a gift from adoring thieves.”

I chuckled at his scheme to bypass his wife. “Not on your life. One prison sentence is enough.”

“Shame.” He grinned in a way that said it was worth a try.

I was surprised he didn’t use his magick to bewitch me into agreeing.

“Good luck.” Mads clapped me back, retreating as if preparing to leave. “Listen, watch out for that warden of yours, okay? Stay out of his way. Look into him. I’ll cover your tracks when you do.”

A rock settled in the pit of my stomach at Mads confirming our suspicions.

Green smoke fanned around him like he was a damn eighties rock star.

“Thanks again, Mads.” I lightened my tone, relieved he didn’t try to fuck me over like his god had a reputation of doing.

Relieved things went well, I got out of there, making my way back to the Watch Tower, finding Tor scanning the files on his computer and Ben reading his phone.

“There you are, handsome.” Tor thumped my back. “Have a good jerk-off?” The smart ass’ way of telling me I took longer than expected. The perfect cover.

“I thought about you going down on me.” I blew him a kiss, maintaining the charade. “The way you suck.”

“Fuck, guys, TMI.” Ben took his phone outside, taking a smoke break, leaning on the Plexiglass window.

“Nice work.” Tor grinned in a way that was too close to Mads’ wicked smile for my liking.

“What did you find?” I lowered my voice.

“The thief avatar came through.” Tor swiveled his screen to face me and showed me the location of Styx and Astra.

“Excellent.” I stabbed a hand through my hair. “Now, how the fuck are we going to convince Serena to request approval for this mission and get the warden’s approval?”

Tor stretched out his arms, lacing his fingers and cracking them. “While you did all the hard work, I came up with a plan.”

Why the fuck did the words Tor and plan make me nervous?