Page 121 of Locked in Wonderland

“What are the chances of getting all the way through here without running into Percy and Lola?”

“Not high.”

We barely managed a few more steps before a door opened farther down the corridor, and two familiar figures stepped out to prove Nico’s prediction as correct.

Chapter Thirty-eight

“Well, well, well,” Lola said.

“What do we have here?” Percy finished.

Today’s outfits were flamingo pink. Judging by the feathered adornments, the color was deliberate.

They reminded me of the flamingo tattoo I’d never received, Nico’s raven having taken its place instead. For the first time, I regretted losing it. My hand lifted instinctively to rub the healing skin beneath my T-shirt.

“Out of our way,” Nico said.

Lola’s penciled eyebrows climbed to an impressive height. “This is not the exit, Mr. Ravenscar, as you very well know.” Her gaze slid to me, her expression souring immediately. “And this one should already be serving his time in the gallery.”

Rage bubbled inside me. It threatened to erupt like a geyser if I didn’t keep a lid on it. This whole thing had started with them. A small, rational part of me knew that wasn’t entirely true, that the true blame lay at Victor’s feet, but rationality and I weren’t exactly seeing eye to eye today. “What the fuck did I ever do to you?”

“Language,” Percy said. “A lady shouldn’t be spoken to that way.”

“A lady?” I snorted. “She’s no lady. She’s―”

Nico’s hand clamped around my biceps, his fingers digging into the muscle.

Right. I’d promised to behave.

“She’s what?” Percy prompted.

“Yes,” Lola echoed. “What am I?”

I took a deep breath before forcing a smile. It probably looked as fake as it felt. “I’m tired,” I said. “It’s been a long and trying day.”

“Evidently.” Lola looked me up and down. “You’ve never looked less pretty.”

In the rush to escape the Hart’s house and rid myself of the gag, I’d given little thought to the beating Kellan had doled out. When I touched my face, my fingertips came away sticky with congealed blood.

Percy sighed. “Such a crime.”

Whether he meant someone hitting me or the offense of presenting myself without washing my face first, I couldn’t tell. Knowing Percy and Lola, I suspected the latter.

“Here’s the deal,” Nico said, his patience clearly wearing thin. “You can step aside and let us pass, or we can make a thing of it. We’re already overdue a conversation about the placement of a certain tattoo. I also never instructed you to change his eye color or dress him the way you did.”

They exchanged a glance before shrugging in perfect unison.

“It’s none of our business what you do,” Lola said.

“It’s not like we can stop you,” Percy added.

“Great.” Nico started forward, still holding my arm.

I planted my feet. “My things. My phone. My wallet. I want them.”

Nico’s jaw clenched. “Do you need them?”

“Yes.” I stared at him. “They’ve even got my house keys. They can keep the clothes, but I want everything else.”