Between Hell & Heart: Rise Of Talon

Heist

Octavia pressed herself flat against the wall.

Footsteps.

Too many.

She held her breath.

Two palace workers turned the corner ahead, talking quietly as they crossed the corridor.

Octavia ducked behind a marble column before either of them could look her way.

"—said the west gallery still needs to be inventoried."

"Tonight?"

"Apparently."

Their voices faded.

Octavia waited.

One second.

Two.

Three.

Then carefully leaned out.

Empty.

"Fuck."

She moved.

Fast.

Not running.

Running made noise.

Running got attention.

Instead she slipped through the palace with her shoulders tight and her eyes constantly scanning ahead.

Every corridor felt longer than she remembered.

Every open doorway looked occupied.

Every little sound made her heart jump.

This was stupid.

Really fucking stupid.

She reached another intersection and stopped immediately.

Voices.

Octavia backed up.

A pair of servants emerged from the adjoining hallway.

She looked around.

Nothing.

No alcove.

No curtain.

No convenient giant vase.

"Shit."

Her eyes landed on a nearby door.

She grabbed the handle.

Locked.

"Of course."

The voices got closer.

Octavia tried the next one.

It opened.

She slipped inside and pulled the door almost shut behind her.

Darkness.

She stood completely still.

Outside, footsteps passed.

Someone laughed.

Octavia grimaced.

Not now.

Keep walking.

Keep—

The footsteps slowed.

She froze.

A shadow crossed beneath the door.

Octavia's hand tightened around the handle.

Then—

the shadow moved on.