Benedict's POV
He passed by Silas and the guard without a backward glance.
Just as he vanished around the corner, his hand moved once more. A brief tap against his thigh.
Recognition. Confirmation that he would stand beside me regardless of what came next.
Then he vanished from sight.
The guard trailed after him. Silas brought up the rear. Their footsteps echoed through the corridor before fading into nothingness, leaving only silence.
I remained at the bars, my arms falling to my sides.
The chains clinked softly.
Behind me, Jaxson stirred against the stone wall.
"What was that about?" His voice was barely audible.
I turned toward him.
"Insurance."
His brow creased.
"Meaning what exactly?"
I returned to the bench, settling onto its surface. The frigid stone bit through my shirt, pressing against my spine.
"Meaning when they drag us back upstairs, we will not go willingly."
Jaxson fixed his stare on me.
"You are orchestrating something."
