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Recalculated.

Then lowered his hand.

“This way.”

We backed into a service recess as another gust drove dust through the lane. Veyr took a loose metal panel from beside the wall and threw it hard down the opposite corridor.

It hit concrete with a crash.

Both Barbs turned.

Then ran toward it.

Fast.

Much faster than I liked.

I waited until they disappeared into the dust.

“You were going to electrocute them.”

“Yes.”

“I had a better idea.”

“This time.”

“You’re welcome.”

His mouth moved.

Almost.

Not quite.

We kept going.

The storm followed us for the next six minutes.

By the time Veyr finally opened a narrow service door beneath a storage building, both of us were coated in reddish dust and I had grit in places grit had no business being.

The room beyond was barely large enough for one table, two chairs, and a narrow sleeping alcove.

I stared at it.

Then at him.

“Please tell me this one has a shower.”

“It has water.”

“That was not what I asked.”

He closed the door behind us and began checking locks.

Of course he did.

I dropped my bag onto the chair. The strap he had repaired held.