The concrete is cold against my back as I sit against the wall of the storage room, Parker pacing restlessly in front of me. My hands are still cuffed despite her escape - she claims she doesn't need lock picks to break out of restraints, and I believe her.

"They took my backup backup lock picks," she mutters, more annoyed by this development than by our actual kidnapping.

"These guys knew what to look for," I say, more to myself than to her. The implications make my blood run cold.

Parker stops pacing and sits cross-legged in front of me, her blue eyes intense. "Eliot will find us."

It's a statement of fact, delivered with the absolute certainty only Parker can muster. But it doesn't make the tightness in my chest ease. We've been separated from him before, but never like this - never with enemies who know exactly who we are.

"We should have stayed together," I say, the familiar weight of guilt settling over me. "I should have been there."

Parker tilts her head, studying me. "You can't protect us from everything, Alec."

Before I can respond, the door to our makeshift cell swings open. Five armed guards flood in, their weapons raised. My heart leaps into my throat as I instinctively move to shield Parker, but it's too late.

"On your feet," barks the tallest guard, his gun trained on my chest.

As they roughly grab us and lead us down the hallway, I catch Parker's eye. There's no fear there - only determination and a flicker of what looks suspiciously like excitement.

"Bet Eliot gets here before we can escape on our own," she whispers, just loud enough for me to hear.

"You're on," I whisper back, even as anxiety twists in my stomach. This isn't a game. But with Parker's hand brushing mine as they march us forward, I allow myself a small smile. Whatever happens, we'll face it together.