Chapter 25 · I notice everything that makes my life harder

"I notice everything that makes my life harder."

"Liar."

The door handle moved.

Riven's face came closer. His nose nearly touched mine in the cramped dark. His eyes dropped to my lips again, and this time he didn't hide it fast enough.

"What are you doing?" I whispered.

"Keeping you quiet."

"Try using words."

"You talk too much."

"You breathe too close."

"You noticed that too?"

The cabinet door jerked open.

Riven moved first. He slammed his shoulder into the inspector and drove her into the opposite shelf. I ducked under the crossbow aimed at my chest and drove my elbow into the attacker's ribs.

"Left!" Riven shouted.

"I know what left is!"

I kicked the attacker's knee and ran. Riven followed, one hand clamped over his bleeding arm. We cut between the shelves as bolts tore through the air behind us.

At the end of the row, a metal gate dropped from the ceiling.

Riven grabbed my hand.

"Under it!"

We slid beneath the gate as it crashed down. A guard reached through the bars and caught Riven by the coat.

I struck the guard's wrist.