Because I know he’s already here.
“You’re late,” Hrask’s voice comes from the shadows to my right, low and familiar in a way I don’t like acknowledging.
“I’m on time,” I reply, not turning immediately. “You’re early.”
“Same difference.”
I glance over then, my eyes adjusting to the dim light enough to pick him out where he leans against the wall like he owns the place. His posture is loose, one shoulder braced casually against the metal, but his gaze is sharp, tracking me the entire time.
“You picked a subtle meeting spot,” I say, stepping closer.
“You made it,” he replies. “So it worked.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s good.”
“It means it’s effective,” he counters.
I stop a few feet from him, close enough to speak without raising my voice, far enough to keep space between us.
“This stays clean,” I say. “No patterns. No repeats in timing.”
“I know how this works,” he says.
“Do you?” I ask, arching a brow. “Because you don’t exactly strike me as someone who plans ahead.”
He huffs a quiet breath, something close to amusement.
“Careful,” he says. “You’re starting to sound like you’ve got me figured out.”
“Not even close,” I reply.
His gaze lingers on me for a second longer than necessary, something unreadable shifting behind it, then he pushes off the wall.
“I’ve got someone,” he says.
“Already?” I ask.
“You think I’d show up empty-handed?” he replies.
“Yes,” I say flatly.
That earns a faint smirk.
“Low expectations,” he says.
“Accurate ones,” I shoot back.
He gestures down the corridor with a tilt of his head.
“Come on,” he says. “Before you start insulting my entire existence.”
“I’m pacing myself,” I reply, but I follow.
The corridor narrows as we move, the air growing thicker, the scent of rust and damp metal stronger the further we go. Somewhere deeper in the structure, water drips in uneven intervals, the sound echoing just enough to create a rhythm that’s almost distracting.
We stop outside a partially sealed access room, the door hanging slightly off its track like it’s been forced open more than once.
“He’s in there,” Hrask says.
