He smiled. "She holds human form, and I fear there is something about the shape that infects common sense."
"I think you could be right." After all, it wasn't exactly sane for Ilianna and me to be here right now. Sanity would have involved Uncle Rhoan and the Directorate. "Although I will note that you're also holding human shape."
"Which is no doubt why I am here, helping you, when in theory I should be observing."
"No one is stopping you, you know."
"I know." He motioned me forward with an elegant wave of the hand. "Proceed."
I did. The driveway curved around to the rear of the building, revealing several more roller doors and shuttered windows. But right in the middle of the brickwork wall were a concrete landing and a regular door.
"Can you sense anyone near that door?" I asked, flaring my nostrils. The air was rich with the warmth radiating off Azriel, but underneath it ran the lingering wetness of last night's rain and wisps of rust and rubber emanating from the scrap yard behind us.
"No," he said. "They remain at the far end of the building."
"Thanks."
I ran forward, jumped onto the platform, and headed for the door. It was padlocked, and both the chain and lock looked brand new. But breaking either might just alert the guards to my presence, and I had no idea just how good their hearing was.
"Well, fuck," I muttered, then stepped back and studied the windows to either side.
The one on the left had a broken pane. I'd been hoping to avoid using my Aedh form, simply because it would sap my strength and I really wasn't sure just how much I had left after the Aedh's questioning. There was still an ache deep inside my head and a sick sensation in my stomach, and though my limbs weren't shaky, I had a suspicion it wouldn't take much effort to make them so.
"The lock is a problem?" Azriel asked.
I glanced at him. He expression was noncommittal, though I suspected there was amusement lurking underneath. "You could say that."
"Then I shall remove it for you." He drew his sword, hooked the end of the blade through one of the metal links, and said something in that musical language of his. The sword flared briefly; then the link simply melted away. I caught the chain before it could hit the ground. The metal was red-hot, and it was all I could do to place it down quietly rather than drop it.