shot me a withering glare, one that shot right through my skin and bones sending icy shards through my insides. “What part of Thax might be trying to kill you do you not get?”
“What do you care anyway? After what I did, wouldn’t you be happier if I died?” The words popped out before I could stop them. Apparently, the tension had been getting to me more than I thought.
“No!” he growled, his voice cutting like glass. “I wish it were that easy.”
I wasn’t sure I’d heard the last part, his words were so mumbled.
Hayden and Dallas exchanged a glance and started backing out of the room.
“Freeze, you two.” Talon whirled at his cowardly friends.
“I just thought you might need a minute to sort out this little lover’s spat,” Dallas said with a ridiculous grin splitting his lips.
Talon leveled them both with a scathing glare. “That won’t be necessary. We need to make a plan. Hayden and I will leave for the Underworld tomorrow morning and Dallas, you stay here to keep an eye on Azara.”
“Ugh.” I almost said not fair, but I bit my tongue when Talon’s reptilian eyes locked on mine as if daring me to utter a word.
“Works for me.” Hayden’s onyx wings unfolded, his lustrous feathers gleaming beneath the neon lights.
“Why do I always get stuck on babysitting duty?” Dallas pouted, pushing his lower lip out. “You guys always get to have all the fun.”
“Seriously?” I popped my fists on my hips. “I’m not a baby, and I don’t need a sitter. I should be going with you.”
Hayden snorted on a laugh. “That’s cute, pumpkin.”
“You guys seem to forget that I’m half demon, and I spent two years in the Nether Lands. I may have grown up in the human world, but I’m not soft.”
“Softish.” Dallas squeezed my cheek, and I chomped at his retreating fingers.
“It doesn’t matter,” said Talon, cutting everyone else off. “You’d be a liability more than anything else. If Thax caught wind of you, our mission would be over.”
I folded my arms over my chest and heaved out a sigh. I already knew I wasn’t winning this argument. “Just take Dallas with you, at least he can help you guys. I promise to stay locked up tight in our cell until you get back.”
Talon clucked his tongue. “I don’t think so. No offense, but I don’t trust you left to your own devices.”
How could that possibly be offensive? Dragon dingbat.
“Fine then it’s settled,” said Hayden. “T and I will head down to the Underworld in the morning for some recon.” He rubbed his hands together quickly and a bright glow blossomed between his palms. “Can’t wait to blast some demon ass.”
“Come on, Chuck Norris.” Dallas tugged on the angel’s arm. “I need food—real food—if I’m going to be on guard duty all day tomorrow.”
My stomach twisted as the vampire’s fangs lengthened. Eew, blood. Where did the prison get their supply for the vamp population? I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer to that.
“You guys coming?” Hayden glanced over his shoulder as he began to follow Dallas out.
I opened my mouth to say yes, but Talon beat me. “I have to finish up here. We’ll meet you down there in a few.”
“The little demon can come with us. We’ll keep an eye on her.”
He didn’t even lift his gaze from the screen. “Nah. We’re good.”
Once the guys left, I dropped into the chair at the next workstation. While I waited, I watched the screens, trying to catch a glimpse of Delacroix. I hadn’t seen him since he’d returned from the Hole. I dreaded the inevitable encounter.
After searching the control panel forever, my eyes landed on what I hoped were the camera controls. I pressed a button, and the images flipped to new locations. Score!
“Don’t touch anything,” Talon snarled.
Gods, he really treated me like a child. “I know what I’m doing. I’m not going to break your precious spy equipment.”
He rolled his eyes, and the tendon in his scruffy jaw twitched, but his gaze remained intent on the screen.
I scanned the dark walls and my gaze fell on the painting in the corner again. I crept toward it, the brilliant blue of the ocean scene reminding me of the one I’d seen in Flix’s office. My fingers swept over the vivid cerulean waters, and a wave of nostalgia rushed over me. Would I ever see the ocean again?
“Where’d this come from?” I asked.
“I made it,” he muttered without looking up.
“What?” If he’d told me