CORA SAID, AS soon as she and Leon reached the end of a service tunnel. “Ready?” “Do I have a choice?” She reached up and brushed a drop of his sweat from his forehead. “It’ll be okay. Put the shackles on me so I look like a prisoner.” They listened for footsteps on the other side of the tunnel door, and when it was evident that the hall was empty, Leon looked out. “It’s clear.” “Hold my arm,” Cora whispered. “Like you’re leading me.” The foyer where menagerie doors split off was even creepier at night. The podiums to the menageries weren’t staffed, the hosts and hostesses off duty. Cora adjusted her hands in the shackles, trying to wear a mix of defiance and fear in case there were any Kindred guards. It wasn’t hard. All she had to do was think about the first time Cassian had taken her down this same dank hallway. They’d only walked about twenty feet when Leon mumbled a low curse. “Trouble. Two o’clock.” A shadow was approaching from the far end of the foyer.
