Page 402 of Black Reign

“How far underground is the vault?” I ask.

“Not underground.”

I look at him.

“You called it the vault.”

“Internal name.”

“So where?”

“Up.”

“That's stupid.”

“Most people expect down.”

I consider.

“Fine. Slightly less stupid.”

“Thank you.”

The doors open onto a floor with no receptionist.

No windows either.

Dark walls.

Low indirect lighting.

One corridor.

Two men wait outside a set of matte-black doors.

Neither looks directly at me.

Both notice everything.

Xavier's hand stays on my back.

“New team?” I murmur.

“Yes.”

“Your father’s?”

“Mine.”

That distinction matters.

More than he probably realizes.

One of the men authenticates Xavier.

The other looks toward me.

Then my ring.