The city was beautiful in the winter sunlight. Snow covered the streets, and Christmas decorations still hung in shop windows even though the holiday had passed. Evie walked down a busy shopping street, trying to look relaxed and carefree.
Inside, her heart was pounding.
She wore a simple coat and jeans, her hair loose around her shoulders. The silver bracelet Gideon had given her felt heavy on her wrist. A reminder that help was one panic button away.
But she was supposed to look vulnerable. Alone. An easy target.
Delilah walked about half a block ahead, pretending to window shop. Behind Evie, Julian browsed a bookstore across the street. More guards were hidden on rooftops, in alleys, in parked cars.
But to anyone watching, Evie appeared to be alone.
She went into a dress shop, bro
