“They do, but not forever. How do you know about them?” Gerald asked.
“A friend. You’re being nice,” I said suspiciously.
“Your informant from up there making you soft?” Barrett teased.
Gerald rolled his eyes and ignored Barrett. “Do you mind if I look you over? There’s debate on how hard Bri hit you.”
I looked at Bri, who shrugged. “Force of habit. Surface walkers aren’t welcome here.”
“Forgive her, she’s terrible at following directions.” The redhead, Barrett, shook his long hair out of his face. Gold hoops on his ears glinted, as did his multiple necklaces.
“Is she okay? The quicker we get her out of here, the better,” Kane said. “Who all saw you bring her in?”
Gerald flashed a light into my eyes. I squinted away from it.
Bri shrugged. “A few people. Rajesh, Tony, Bex.”
“Follow the light, Emeline,” Gerald told me. I tried to as my mind ached.
“He’s going to fucking kill you,” Barrett practically sang to Bri.
“Why does that make you happy?” Bri demanded, shoving him.
Barrett regained his balance, the necklaces around his neck swinging as he grinned toward Bri. “Finally say yes and I’ll take the heat for you.”
Gerald put his light away as he continued to watch me—like he was still looking for something.
“Enough,” Kane commanded. “Let’s figure out why the Illum’s pet is here and get her to the surface where she belongs. We were told not to raise any suspicions and to lie low. This isn’t lying low, Bri.”
“She’s the one who jumped off the bridge,” Bri snapped.
“Yeah, to help you,” I shot back.
Kane tilted his head. “How did you plan to do that?”
“You want to help us?” Barrett asked suspiciously. “Or were you sent here by them?”
“No one sent me. No one knows I came here. I wanted to bring information, to help. I risked a lot to come here. They watch my MIND. I told Bri I needed to find someone.”
“Incoming,” Gerald called out as footsteps sounded from beyond the room.
“Here we go.” Barrett winked at me.
“East watch is clear. Cargo was successfully transferred. They said—” The voice cut off.
Hal stood at the entrance, still as a ghost.
“What is going on here?” he asked quietly.
“We were about to get to that.” Kane crossed his arms. “Apparently the Illum’s pet came down through the river entrance to help us. Strange, is it not?”
I stood, and Hal was moving as if ready to catch me. His hands found the cuffs around my wrists before brushing my curls out of my face. “How long?”
“Maybe twenty minutes,” Gerald told him.
“She was out for most of it,” Barrett said before groaning. “Stop hitting people.”
“It’s like you want him pissed at me,” Bri seethed.
