The crunching gravel behind me startled me with a shock of fright down my spine.
I froze, hardly able to breathe, my hands tightening on the cuffs of my coat. The icy night air wrapped around my skin, but I hardly paid attention to it other than the pounding in my chest. Had I been found out?
I swallowed and turned my head slightly to get a glimpse over my shoulder.
A shadow moved by the side entrance to the compound—one of James' guards, too close for comfort. My own heart was pounding so fiercely, I knew he could hear it. He wasn't supposed to be there. I had tracked their rotations. Waited for the lulls.
I would give all that I have.
I ducked behind one of the pillars, supporting myself on it as my heart thudded against the side of my head. The guard spoke into his radio, and he tu
