Chapter 39 · The Nursery

The lock was good. Too good. It took me four minutes and abent hairpin to beat it.

I told myself I was just checking the hallway. That’s what I whisperedwhile I shoved Valerius’s knife into my waistband. The handle was wrapped in fresh leather so it wouldn’t slip in a wet palm. He’d thought about my hands shaking. He’d thought about me bleeding. Ihated how much I liked that.

Then the second horn sounded.

Two short, one long. I’d heard it once, six years ago. It didn't mean they were coming. It meant they were alreadyinside.

The corridor smelled like hot iron and burning oil. Half the lamps were shattered. A guard lay againstthe wall with his throat opened, eyes wide. I made myself look. Memorize his face. Someone had to.

“Luna.” Drennan was three doors down, blood on his chin that didn't belong to him. “Get back inside.Alpha’s orders.”

“Alpha’s orders are going to get us killed.” I didn't stop.“How many breaches?”

“Two. East stair and the kitchen yard.”

“Then youdon't have two. You have one and a distraction.” The words felt cold, like they’d been waiting eight years to beused. “Nobody attacks a kitchen.