Godfrey tucks his switchblade under Evangeline’s pillow like a mint, reasoning she will need a weapon for a run through the dark side of the eighth. He expects the old man will give her a head start then trip the alarm and send Fink or Balthazar to hunt her down. Or the Horseman, god help her. Then again. Evangeline is no ordinary prey. She would give any of the assassins in the Nine all they bargained for and more. Godfrey kicks himself for neglecting to bring a sidearm. He will be unarmed for the trek back to the service elevator and the return trip is a buddhist river crossing. Never the same twice. The switchback turns are like reading messages from your former self composed in a funhouse mirror. Godfrey pops his knuckles and flexes his hands. He holds them both out flat for a long beat and is pleased to see neither of them trembling. Now he gets to work picking apart the knots still binding the girl who was blue.
*check into the Nine Story Hotel for more, link below.