#Chapter 264: Now or Never

Agnes The vent. If I could send a burst of flame through it, the fire might be visible from outside. It could be the signal Elijah and Richard were waiting for. I stood up, trying to look casual as I stretched my arms over my head, gauging the distance to the vent. It was about seven feet up—I’d need to jump to reach it. The question was, could I create enough fire to be seen from outside without setting off any alarms inside? I was just about to make my move when the door suddenly slid open with a soft hiss. I whirled around, instinctively pushing Thea behind me. A guard was standing in the doorway, dressed in the same gray uniform as the others we’d seen. But this one was different—completely covered from head to toe, even wearing a mask that obscured their face. A respirator of some kind? I couldn’t make out any features at all. “Come with me,” the guard said gruffly. “Both of you.” My heart dropped into my stomach. Had they seen me eyeing the ven