Chapter 9
Tacita
“Murdered?” I ask Tarron as I force myself to stay calm. I want to fly straight up to the second floor and find out who, examine the body and gather any clues. But I can’t do any of that without ruining my cover.
“Yes,” Tarron confirms grimly.
This isn’t good. It’s the one rule of the games. We can’t kill each other outside of the trials. The fact it’s been broken is going to have consequences. Hades’s wrath kind of consequences. More worryingly, does this mean the Angels’ agent is already at work? Was this them?
“Who is dead?” I ask, pushing my luck with a demanding tone.
“Seventy-Eight.”
My brain quickly racks through the list of contestants. Seventy-Eight was a man, mid-thirties, average build, had tattoos on his left wrist and right calf, as I observed yesterday in the gym.
I think he was incarcerated for running a drug ring. But, as I’ve yet to figure out a way into the Guards’ offices, I only have the words of others on that one.
I’m going to need to move up my plans to break into the Officers’ quarters soon.
“Was he killed in his room?” I ask.
“Yes,” Tarron answers in a tone which indicates he’s getting bored with my continued questioning. “And I’m afraid that until we clear the building, you can’t go inside.”
I knew that already, otherwise I’d be in there.
“He was rooming with Fifty-Four, did he do it?” Tarron’s interest perks up at that question. He narrows both his eyes on me.
“You’re observant.”
“And? That’s correct, is it not?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Was it him that killed Seventy-Eight?”
“No idea,” he presses more firmly, trying to end the conversation. I carry on anyway.
“Our rooms are only accessible with our bracelets. If he didn’t do it, someone else got access, or do you think Seventy-Eight trusted the killer enough to let them in?”
“Let us worry about it, Ninety-Eight.” It’s Garrick’s voice that responds this time. He strides out of the open entryway a second later, stops beside Tarron and folds his arms across his stupidly broad chest.
“But I could help.” It’s a feeble attempt but I have to try.
If this is work of the mole I could have this whole thing wrapped up by midnight and be outta here.
The thought of releasing my wings and flying back to my penthouse is an alluring one.
I want a long soak in my tub and an evening lounging around on my roof-top terrace.
“You can help by heading to the dining hall,” Garrick answers.
I look between the two guards and an idea lights up in my brain.
“Nah, the body’s on the second floor, so the top floor is fine. Come on Milo, lets go to our room.” I grab my roommate and try to barge past the two males.
As I thought, they are quick to grab us, blocking our entry before we get more than a step inside the building.
“I don’t think so,” Garrick growls as I plough into him. Pushing and shoving, Garrick’s hands come down my upper arms, stopping my progress. Thankfully, I’m not human. I’d definitely have bruises if I were from the iron grip he takes.
I cause more commotion by turning, pulling us back into Tarron, who has stepped from his position against the doorframe to grab Milo.
In the kerfuffle, no one notices as I slip my hand into Tarron’s pocket and relieve him of his all-access pass.
Tucking it into my waistband, I fake flailing once more before shooting backwards and shaking Officer Just-got-outsmarted off me.
Running a hand through my hair, I smooth the strands down and gather them, before draping it over my right shoulder and spilling it over my chest. It has the desired effect as both males watch my upper body and don’t scan their eyes lower. Sometimes, males really are too easy.
Milo looks entirely shocked by the whole thing, and scared that the guards are going to come down heavy handed on him, as he stumbles backward.
“Fine.” I level both guards with a pissed off stare before turning to Milo. “I’m hungry anyway, lets go get dinner first.”
Milo scurries along beside me as I stride for the main building.
I sense him gazing behind us to make sure the guards aren’t following us.
I don’t need to turn to know they’re both watching us walk away.
Officer Pain-in-my-backside is probably gloating, thinking he got one up on me.
The laugh that escapes my lips at that thought is completely involuntary but it feels good.
I wait until we’re inside and seated in the dining hall before I transfer the pass from my waistband to my satchel.
Milo goes around to the other side of the bench and sits opposite me.
As soon as he’s seated, he spreads his hands and cocks his head.
I don’t need the verbal question, it’s very obvious he’s wondering what the fuck I was attempting back there.
“I don’t take orders well,” I tell him. Even though we’ve been getting on and spending several hours of our days together, as well as sleeping in the same room, I am not trusting him yet.
Not with the fact I’ve just stolen a staff pass, and not with my reason for stealing it.
I guess I could give him some half-truths but it might risk my entire mission.
He was with me for the entire afternoon afterall, so he’s the only one I can rule out as the killer on this occasion.
And as I feel there is a good chance the killer is the mole, maybe I can strike one candidate off my list. Milo shakes his head in disbelief before pulling his own bag onto the table to check through his things.
Out of everyone here, he’s the one I still don’t have much of a clue about.
Whatever his crimes were to land him in prison, and land him on Hades’s list for these games, must’ve been serious.
Only those that demonstrate highly skilled criminal activity get the attention of the lord of the underworld.
From his demeanour and general aura I don’t think he’s another assassin.
He’s smart though, like really smart. Maybe he’s one of those computer geniuses.
Maybe he hacked into government systems, or stole millions from bank accounts.
But I don’t think even that would impress Hades.
He’d have to single handedly bring down an entire continent's economy to earn a space through computer hacking. And that I would’ve heard about.
No, Milo has done something darker. Something under the radar.
And with the pass now in my possession I can find out.
Leaving him reading one of the books he brought from the library, I go and get myself some food.
Loading up my tray, I mull over putting my plan into action.
I have the pass but will have to act quickly.
It won’t take Tarron long to notice it’s missing.
It’ll be deactivated as soon as that happens.
Which means I need to make a move as soon as I can tonight.
In the few days we’ve been here, I’ve noticed that the majority of the guard staff work the day shift. Only a few patrol throughout the night, although more will be working longer hours tonight with the body on the second floor.
And whilst I’m sure there will be an Officer stationed in whatever room they use to monitor the cameras that are everywhere, I bet Garrick’s office will be empty.
I only need access to a computer in their building to log into the servers.
I’m no genius but I have enough experience with accessing files that I shouldn’t have an issue if I’m using one of the guards’ computers.
I want it to be Garrick’s because I’m a petty bitch sometimes.
In reality I could use any guard’s laptop.
What I need to sort out is an alibi. Milo is bound to notice me not in bed for several hours through the night, he’s a terrible sleeper.
I need a reason to be out of our room.
As I’m walking back to our table, a perfectly good reason saunters into the hall.
Tall, tatted and way too eager at everything, Wyatt breezes into the dining hall, high-fiving a few guys and immediately bragging about getting away from the guards holding everyone inside our building because of the murder.
I’m going to have to sleep with him. It’s the perfect excuse to be out of our room in the middle of the night. I internally groan. It’s not like the idea of a fuck isn’t appealing but once you’ve slept with a few humans, you’ve slept with them all, and they’re all boring.
Granted, Wyatt is attractive, so it won’t be too much of a hardship, but I bet he’s all enthusiasm and no technique. The thought of training him, however, or at least being the dominant one in this little tryst has a little excited flutter lighting my core. Hopefully, he’s down with that.
If he was supernatural, I probably would’ve slept with him already. It has been a few months now since I’ve had sex with a partner. This job has taken up way too much time and has forced me to be in the human plane so much that I’ve had to settle for my hand or a toy.
Humans are just so… fragile.
I could simply lie to Milo, I guess, but with how much Wyatt has been practically begging me to jump into his bed, I bet my deceit would soon be rumbled. Wyatt is absolutely the kiss and tell type.
No, I’ll have to go through with it. I can have a quickie with Wyatt to set up my alibi and then I can sneak out and break into the Guards’ offices. Milo will just think the resident stud isn’t quick at firing. Which trust me, he’s going to be.
Slamming my tray down, I throw myself back into my seat. I don’t have time to come up with anything else. I need to do this tonight.
“Hey, Wyatt,” I call, catching his attention.
His face lights up when he realises it’s me and bounces straight over, taking the seat next to me, spreading his legs so I’m practically between his thighs.
“What’s up Mo Stór,” he greets me then nods at my roommate. “Alright, Milo?”