Page 120 of Locked in Wonderland

“Fine,” I said. The word sounded anything but. “Just keep that pair of freaks away from me.”

I stepped off the curb.

Nico immediately grabbed my wrist and yanked me back. “You really have all the survival instincts of a lemming, don’t you?”

“I thought—”

“More like you didn’t.”

“I’m sorry I’m so inept.”

“So am I.” He almost smiled before he wrested it under control. “But I suppose if you weren’t, I wouldn’t get to keep rescuing you.”

“Your armor is decidedly tarnished. And your white horse kicks like a mule.”

“Finally, he learns.” He almost sounded amused.

“What are we waiting for, then?”

“We’ve just been told Kellan is on our heels. We’re looking for signs he got here before we did.”

“And are there any?”

“No.”

“Which is good, right?”

Nico shrugged. Apparently, he wasn’t ready to commit to that level of optimism.

“You believed Tom, then?”

“Tom is many things. A shit-stirrer, someone who’d sell his own grandmother for the right price, and an opportunist.” He paused. “But he’s not a liar.”

“Good to know.”

The street was as busy as ever, which made observation difficult. Nico repeatedly had to lean out to see around passing pedestrians. He needed another five minutes to be satisfied.

One minute later, we were across the street and inside the gallery. I hadn’t missed it. The exhibits hit differently now that I knew how they got there. Especially knowing I’d nearly become one myself.

“Would you have rescued me from here?” I whispered once we’d passed through the first X-rated gallery and were in the second.

“I don’t know.”

At least I could never accuse Nico of dishonesty. Or of painting himself in a flattering light.

Still, the answer stung. “You would have,” I said. “Eventually.” Nico glanced my way. “You would have missed me too much.”

The look he shot me was sharp, but I took comfort from him not denying it.

The statue room came next, the light even dimmer than before. I did my best not to look at the exhibits as we wound our way between them. Like last time, the room was empty. Apparently, most people found it too unsettling to linger.

Nico pulled out a bunch of keys as we neared the door at the back.

“They really should have confiscated those when you resigned,” I muttered.

“Why do you think I got out of there so fast?”

He located the correct key with impressive speed, considering none were labeled and there were at least twenty on the ring. A moment later, we were stepping into the familiar white corridors of processing.