Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“What now?” I asked.
“Now,” Vasilios replied, “We get the hell out of here.” He crawled to the other end of the unit and pushed open a small, rounded door. It opened into a room filled with large industrial-sized washing machines and dryers.
“Is this the same laundry room where prisoners work?” I asked, remembering Lara saying she worked in the laundry. It was hard not to be angry when I thought of her.
“No, this is a separate one for the guards. They have civilian workers who come in and launder their uniforms a few times a week, but most of the time, it’s empty,” Vasilios said as he went to peer through the small window on the door. “Shit,” he whispered. “There’s a bunch of guards out there.”
“So we wait for them to clear off,” Sven replied.
“Right, but what if they come in here,” I said just as Vasilios’s shoulders stiffened.
“Actually, one is coming this way right now. Hide!” he urged, and before I knew it, he was pulling me inside the drum of one of the huge washing machines. I spotted Sven climb into one across from us and swiftly close the door. A second later, a guard entered the room. He was frowning, his eyes narrowed in suspicion, and I wondered if he’d heard our voices.
He walked around the room, peering all about before stopping beside the washing machine Sven was hiding in. I shared a worried look with Vasilios before realising just how close we were. Our breaths mingled, and my attention went unexpectedly to his lips. What was wrong with me? Why was I looking at his lips?
The guard scratched his chin, tapped the toe of his boot against the tiles then began to leave the laundry room when the worst possible thing happened.
Somebody sneezed.
And that somebody was me.
19.
The guard’s attention swung back around.
I swore silently while shooting Vasilios an apologetic look. The guard proceeded to pull open the doors of the washing machines one by one. He was slowly approaching ours when Sven took the opportunity to fling his door open, grab the guard from behind, and lock his arm around his neck.
Vasilios and I immediately crawled out, and I sucked in a deep breath. The oxygen had been quickly depleting in there.
The prison guard didn’t even have the chance to grab his radio because Sven had already choked him out. He lowered him to the floor, a quizzical expression on his face as he surveyed the unconscious man.
“Sorry I sneezed,” I said. “I think I might be allergic to whatever fabric softener they use here. Normally, I would’ve been able to stifle it.”
“Don’t fret,” Vasilios said while he and Sven shared a look.
“Change of plan?” Sven asked, and Vasilios shook his head.
“He’s too small. His uniform won’t fit either of us. And what about these?” he asked, motioning to their heads. “His hat won’t cover our horns, and I need to conserve my magic for later. I can’t waste it on creating a glamour.”
“Wait, what’s going on? Please don’t tell me you’re planning on stripping this man of his clothes so that you can wear his uniform.”
“That is exactly what we’re telling you,” Vasilios said as his eyes wandered down my body before returning to the unconscious guard. “And we won’t be wearing the uniform. You will.”
“What? No. Let’s just stick to whatever your original plan was.”
“Our original plan means we’ll spend another two hours weaving our way through the prison and avoiding detection,” Sven said. “But you put on this uniform, and we can walk out the front door.”
“What about you two?”
“We’ll hide under this laundry,” Vasilios said, wheeling forward a cart full of unwashed uniforms. “I’m sure you’re more than strong enough to push us.”
That was the annoying part. I was strong enough, but I still felt uneasy about stripping the poor guard of his clothing. It seemed like a violation, and I bet he never expected to be choked out by a demon vampire when he set off for his shift. Still, I wanted to get out of there fast, and that was the speediest option.
“Fine,” I huffed. “I’ll wear the uniform, but I’m not taking it off him.”
“You have yourself a deal,” Sven replied, already bending to undo his belt before unceremoniously yanking off the guard’s trousers. He tossed them at me, and I caught them in one hand.
“Well,” Vasilios said, arching an eyebrow. “What are you waiting for?”
“Turn around,” I snapped, annoyed that I had to get undressed in front of him yet again. Only now, it was tinged with something more; something I didn’t want to admit was sexual tension.
It was the mark. It had to be. That was why I felt that way about him.
Vasilios turned while Sven continued tossing items of clothing at me. I unbuttoned the jumpsuit and pushed it down my body before stepping out. My skin beaded when the chilly air hit me. I glanced at Vasilios, and thankfully, he still faced away from me.