Page 6 of Scream, Little Thief

My core tightens. Heat licks at my skin, leaving goose bumps in its wake.

The sound of approaching footsteps is the only thing that rips me out of my sudden trance. And reminds me who is chasing me.

Heart racing, I skirt around them, not daring to take another peek, and follow the way down to the next intersection. I need to find a way out of this maze and fulfill my mission, but all I can think about is Reaper.

His words. The way he looked at me when I came. All the things he’ll do to me when he catches me. Things I can’t even imagine right now.

I tighten my grip on the handle of my whip while searching frantically for a clue. I could really use an exit sign right about now, but there's nothing helpful in sight.

Damn it. I need to make a decision right now.

Left or right?

I turn left and start running again. Then I take another turn, this time not even glancing at the couple fucking out in the open, just moving on. At the next intersection, I force myself to slow down.

My heart’s beating erratically, my lungs burning in my chest, but there are no footsteps behind me. Not anymore. Not . . .

Fuck. There they are again.

I don’t dare to turn around.

Just as I’m about to take the next left turn, I pause. There’s something different in this hedge. Something darker.

I take a step toward it. My fingers roam over the branches, finding something solid underneath. Simple stone, or a hidden door?

The footsteps behind me grow louder.

I don’t have time to overthink it. I push at the stone until it gives in—and stumble into a secret chamber in the middle of the maze.

There’s a huge hot tub in the center of an open-air, secluded alcove, with gurgling water and steam evaporating into the night sky. Four torches, one in each corner, light the place in addition to the moonlight. There are also two patio heaters, and a cream-colored chaise longue big enough to do all kinds of stuff on it.

The door snaps shut behind me, hiding me from the men.

I’m still breathing hard. The other people sound farther away now. Even the music’s muted. I take a quick look around to make sure no one’s in here, but it’s empty. Seems like I’m the first one to discover this hidden place. And the entrance is also the only exit.

I turn around, listening closely, but there’s no sound other than the burbling water in the hot tub. No footsteps. No voices. No one pushing at the hidden door to find a way inside.

I’m safe. For now, at least.

This is exactly what I wanted, and why I came to Everthorne Hall in the first place . . . right? To do a job and not let myself get distracted before I’m done. And yet I can’t bring myself to feel relief. Instead I force the simmering disappointment away.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Riven,” I murmur.

Time to be a professional. If a secret alcove like this exists, it must contain some clue as to the exit, right? What’s the point otherwise? And the guard in the parking lot informed me about hidden clues . . .

Pushing all thoughts about Reaper and what just happened to the back of my mind, I search the place systematically. I check every wall, nook, and corner, finding nothing of use, then I finally turn to the hot tub.

The water’s clear, the heat a welcome change.

As I look closely, I notice a faint shimmer at the bottom of the tub.

“I knew it!”

Putting my whip aside, I roll up my sleeve and stick my hand in the water, holding onto the edge so I won’t fall in. But as much as I stretch, I can’t reach the damn thing.

Bloody hell. I have to get in.

I take one last look to confirm I’m still alone, then I get undressed, set my costume, boots, and whip within reach, and slip into the hot tub wearing nothing but my mask.