“Where can we go?”
“I know a place.”
Dev pulled my sleeves, guiding me back towards the town. We ducked into the crowds quietly.
“Keep your head down.” Dev muttered.
When we saw a group of soldiers coming our way, Dev would pull me down side streets and alleyways. After circling the block a couple of times, we came to a small door at the end of an alley.
Dev searched the rocks in front of it until he was satisfied with one – and pulled a key from inside.
We ducked into a dark room and he locked the doors behind us.
The room was dry and dark and had a strong smell of newsprint. There were boxes and file cases piled on top of everything, alphabetically ordered through the room.
I caught sight of one of the papers.
TheTelluride Tribune.
“We’re at the newspaper archives?”
“I used to hide here as a kid to piss off my parents,” Dev said quietly. “Come on.”
He led me through towering stacks of boxes and file cases, their edges yellowed and soft with age. The air smelled thickly of dust and ink — old newsprint, sun-warmed paper, and something faintly metallic beneath it.
At the back was a small office so neglected it felt sealed off from time. Dust lay heavy on every surface. A wide red couch sat against the wall, its fabric faded but intact, and beside it a narrow sink with a working tap.
Dev crouched and rummaged through a cupboard beneath it. After a moment, he straightened, surprise flickering across his face.
“It’s still here.”
“What is it?”
He pulled out a small box — chocolates, crackers, a couple of bags of chips.
“My stash,” he said with a crooked grin.
He handed me a bag and I took it hungrily, shoving food into my mouth too fast, forcing it down until it nearly choked me.
“Easy there,” he murmured.
“Sorry,” I said hoarsely. “I’m starving.”
“I’m not surprised.” His voice softened. “Seph… what the hell happened?”
I told him. About Sy. About the bolt that came out of nowhere.
When I got to Andre, my throat tightened.
“He tried to help me. And Dominic Lightwood just took him.”
Dev went still.
“Dominic Lightwood is here?” he asked carefully.
“He seems like he’s…” I hesitated. “Hunting. For something specific.”
I dropped my head into my hands.
