I hug Harper back for all I'm worth, pouring my gratitude into the motion.
When we pull apart, we both have to swipe teardrops from our lower lashes.
"Well, shoot. I'm going to have to work on my secret-agent skills," she murmurs. "I don't think the Angels cry before every mission."
"We'll get it right next time." I try to reassure her as I pull open the door to the hall.
"Yes, next time," she chirps as she flits out after me.
The second we enter the main hallway, a guard straightens from his new post outside my door. Apparently my mother doesn't trust me, since she made her pronouncement about the Stirling pack, and my reception was less than warm. Or maybe she's expecting something to happen since Teddie's set to leave the castle today.
I hope it's not the latter.
The last thing I need is an entire slew of guards to slink past.
Yanking my phone from my dress pocket, I shoot a quick text to my brother.
BRYLEE
Ready, Freddy?
It's Teddie.
Ugh. Can't he just answer? I glance behind me to see if the guard is following. Unfortunately he is. I send a quick:
BRYLEE
Did Caran do the thing?
TEDDIE
The thing with his tongue that I like?
BRYLEE
The barf emoji is not strong enough to convey how much I hate that message.
TEDDIE
BRYLEE
Well?
TEDDIE
He did the thing.
My skin starts to buzz with anticipation. I hope that means Caran was able to successfully loop the security cameras around the palace so they replay the current image. But that’s only part of the plan.
BRYLEE
And you?
The typing bubbles appear, but my brother must change his mind a million times because it takes a good while for his message to come through.
TEDDIE
This is the worst idea you've ever had.
