37. Thwarted

Gin

Astrid comes for me a little after midnight, sneaking into my room with the stealth of a phantom thief. It makes me wonder just how many times she's done this.

She tosses me a cloak and gently pushes the window open, her gaze scanning the darkness beyond. "I'll go ahead, scout the area, and signal with a rock if it's safe."

I nod and Before she could leap out the window, I grabbed her arm, giving it a slight squeeze. "Thank you."

A rare smile tugs at the corner of her lips, and a glint of silver dances in her blue eyes. "Don't go soft on me, Gin. This doesn't mean I like you."

My lips twitch. "Likewise."

Covering her flaming red hair with a black hood, she leaps out the window, dropping graceful, without a sound. She disappears into the night and I lean against the window, heart thundering in my chest as I anxiously wait for her signal.

My eyes scans the darkness outside, searching for any sign of Astrid. Each passing second feels like an eternity as I strain to catch a glimp