The access card was palmed before either of them noticed.
One of them hesitated, glancing down the corridor. Dev didn’t miss it. He said something quieter this time, leaned in just enough to pull the man back in. Then both guards were nodding, already turning away, talking about taking a break.
Dev waited until they disappeared around the corner before he looked back at me and gave a small, sharp nod.
I moved quickly to him. He swiped the card and pulled the door open.
“Five minutes,” he said.
I couldn’t stop the grin that broke across my face.
“What?” he asked, already half turned away.
“You’re pretty amazing, Dev Redgrave.”
Colour climbed up his neck before he could stop it. His eyes narrowed like that would somehow fix it.
“Don’t,” he muttered.
“Don’t what?”
“Say things like that,” he said, pushing the door wider. “You’ll make it weird.”
I laughed softly and slipped past him before he could stop me. The door clicked shut behind us, sealing the corridor away.
The room was smaller than I expected. Bare concrete. One light strip buzzing overhead. And in the centre—
Gideon Quinn looked up.
He was thinner than I remembered. Not weaker. Just… sharpened. Like something honed down to a point. His eyes locked onto me instantly, and for a moment the world seemed to tilt.
“Well. I was expecting someone. Didn’t think it would be you.”
I stared at him, feeling empty.
“Hello Father.”
Gideon’s eyes looked me up and down. His gaze flicked to Dev, who stared blankly by the door. I took a seat in front of him.
“You would still call me that?” he asked me, his voice calm.
“Would you prefer I use your name, Gideon? Would that make any difference?” I asked him softly.
Gideon leaned back, like he was considering his words carefully.
“I suppose not at this point.”
His gaze assessed me critically.
“You look different.”
“Do I?” I leaned back against the chair. “I guess that makes sense. It’s what happens when you realise no one is coming to save you. You taught me that.”
Gideon smiled, a hint of the old arrogance coming through. But there was something uncertain in his eyes. “I won’t stay down here forever.”
“Oh no? And where do you think you can go, Gideon? You belong to Equinox now.”
“I’m not afraid of Elliot or his pathetic army.”
