The familiar voice whispered through her mind, and she whipped to the right to confront the speaker. Her initial torrent of alarm subsided when she saw a tiny version of the dark-haired X perched on her shoulder. He appeared younger than before, stronger.
But never before had she seen this clearly into that other realm—while she was in another realm—and she wasn’t sure what to think.
When your father comes, and he will, do whatever is necessary to escape the cage with Solo. His mouth wasn’t moving, and yet his words reverberated inside her head. You need to leave. Now.
Liar! said Dr. E, causing her to swing to the left. He, too, was now a tiny version of himself. He appeared older than before, weaker. You know Solo will be captured. And if you’re with him, you’ll be captured, too.
A tap on her shoulder had her spinning back to Solo—who was right in front of her, concern once again radiating from him. “Are you okay?”
“D—did you see them?” she asked, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.
“See who?”
“Them.” She looked left—Dr. E was gone. She looked right—X was gone. “But . . . but . . .” Her shoulders drooped. “Never mind.”
“What did you see?” he insisted.
Twice they’d discussed that other realm, yet he’d never mentioned X or Dr. E, even though he had to know them. And he was Allorian, and somehow, during her dream that wasn’t a dream, she had appeared on Alloris. But she wasn’t going to be the one to mention their names. Solo would demand to know what they had said to her. He would agree with X, she knew he would, and then she would have to turn him down yet again. Despite the fact that she knew X was right. He was always right. But she couldn’t see a way to obey him.
“Vika.”
Forget her father. Forget the future. She threw herself into his arms. They probably wouldn’t be together much longer, and she needed to savor every moment.
He didn’t grab hold of her. She felt a vibration, knew he was speaking. “I don’t know what you’re saying. And honestly? I don’t care. If you want me to move away, sorry, because I’m staying right here. Just hold me tight and warn me if you hear anyone coming.”
Several moments ticked by before he obeyed.
A sigh of relief left her at the feel of his strength and heat enveloping her. “I vowed to do my best to find that key, and I meant it. I will. But where should I start? What if I fail?”
At the right, she heard a moan.
At the left, she heard a cackle of laughter.
Her nails sank into Solo’s chest, as if he was her only anchor in a turbulent storm. Actually, he was. Dr. E and X were still here, listening.
Warm hands cupped her cheeks, a beautiful caress she would remember all the days of her life. He lifted her chin, hope and flickers of what looked to be apprehension peering down at her. “He would keep the key close by, and it might even be something he wears every day. And you won’t fail.”
“But I’ve looked through his jewelry.”
“Look for secret compartments in his trailer. And if you get into trouble, run. Run, and never look back.”
Oh, yes. Apprehension. She could barely process the knowledge. He was putting her needs above his own. Not just for the aid she could render, but for her.
“I can’t do that, Solo.” No matter what. “I just can’t.”
His gaze searched her, drilling all the way to her soul. “Then run to me.”
She rubbed against his palm, practically purring with the warmth and pleasure of the sensation. “What would you be able to do?” she whispered. She didn’t ask to be cruel, but to point out how futile such a thing would be.
Anger suddenly overshadowed the apprehension, but his grip remained gentle. “I’ll think of something.”
That anger wasn’t directed at her, she knew, but at the circumstances. “I don’t want to get you into more trouble.”
“I can handle trouble.”
“And I can’t?”
His thumbs stroked, making her shiver. “You’ve handled too much already. And one day, you’re going to tell me everything that’s been done to you. One day you’ll have the life you deserve.”
One day.
Panic bubbled to the surface because she knew, knew, something bad would soon happen. Something bad always happened when those words were voiced. Still, all she said was, “F-fine. I’ll come to you. And before you