21. Elodie

“You’re out of your fucking mind,” I yell from behind the locked door. I can’t believe Throop. He brought me to this tea shop, telling me we could use a pot of tea and a plate of cookies. I didn’t know how to get rid of him, so I agreed.

And then he locked me in the supply closet.

Ugh.

“What the hell are you doing, Throop?” I scream, banging my fists against the door. “Are you insane?” Oh, right, already asked him that. “Why did you lock me in here? You’re not going to get away with this.”

“Shut up!” Throop yells from the other side. “Stop that noise, Elodie, or I’ll give you something to be sorry about.”

“Go ahead,” I taunt unwisely. “Come in here. You think I can’t overpower you?” I don’t even know what I’m saying—Throop has at least thirty kilos on me.

Thankfully, he doesn’t take me up on my invitation. “You better hope your boyfriend shows,” he says. “For your own sake.”

“Better hope. . .?” I blink in confusion. “What does Calder have to do with this?”

“Calder is a Karven agent,” he spits out. “A spy. Somehow, he found out that I was going to sell Sarai and her virus to the Crill Empire.”

“What?” Surprise slaps me, and my thoughts race. What did Sarai say to me at breakfast that I then relayed to Calder? Her virus kept attacking Karven nanoarmor. I bet she didn’t know Throop was going to turn it over to the Crill Empire, and I’m positive she didn’t know Throop was going to sell her to them as well.

A virus that destroys Karven nanoarmor. Of course they sent an agent. One of their best, given how easily I was taken in by Calder.

I try not to dwell on that.

Throop laughs. “You fell for whatever story he spun you, didn’t you? Hapless, na?ve, engine-grease-scented Elodie. You were a means to an end, nothing more. Thankfully, you still have one more use. You’re going to help me get Sarai back.”

“What? How?”

“Your boyfriend is going to make a trade. He’s going to bring me Sarai, and in return, I will let you live.”

If Sarai’s virus can destroy nanoarmor, the Karven Federation won’t trade Sarai for me. There’s no way. Calder has a mission to complete, and I was a means to the end. He’s not going to risk everything for me.

Once again, I push my feelings deep down inside. I can’t fall apart now. I have to figure out how to get out of here.

“He’s not going to come.”

“Oh yes, he is. I saw the way he looked at you at the party, Elodie. Luckily for me, the intrepid spy is in love with you.”

My heart leaps in hope, and then reality intrudes. Calder has completed his mission. He has everything he needs. He’s not coming for me. I’m on my own, the way I’ve always been.

“You’re a fool.” I take all my pain, turn it into contempt, and direct it at the man in front of me. “The trouble with you, Throop, is that you just don’t think. You’ve gotten away with bribing overworked medical staff and small-time magistrates so long that you think you’re invulnerable. But you’re not. Calder beat a Crill Centurion, not once, but twice. He takes his opponents apart bit by bit. If he comes for me, which he won’t because it doesn’t make any sense, what do you think he’s going to do to you?”