“How do you know –” Elle began, hurrying after Briley. “Hey –”
“Listen. There’s no time to explain, OK?” She bent over and pulled a gun from an ankle-strap holder thing. “You need to trust me and follow me. Once we’re out of this hellhole, there will be time to explain. Alright? Can we just save question time for when we’re safe?”
“Yeah. Yeah, of course you’re right.”
“OK, good. So let’s go.”
Up the stairs they tiptoed, Elle watching Briley’s feet and trying hard to understand just what the hell was going on here. How had this woman managed to get to the basement unnoticed? How did she get a gun past the Guardians? Speaking of which, where were all the Guardians? Where was Gideon? How had she managed all of this on her own?
Once they exited the basement and emerged into the hallway, E
