“Almost, sir,” Thomas said, glancing quickly at me before looking back at Marcus. “The perimeter sensors are acting up because of the wind, but the vehicles are prepped.”

“Double the sweep on the main gate,” Marcus ordered. “I want us moving the moment the clock strikes midnight.”

“Understood, sir,” Thomas said, nodding once before disappearing down the hall.

Marcus turned his gaze back to me, his expression hardening.

“Do not try anything, Arya,” he said. “For your own sake.”

He stepped out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar this time, likely so the guards in the hall could hear any movement.

I waited until his footsteps faded down the stairs.

I quickly pulled the transmitter out of my pocket and looked at the small red light.

It was still pulsing, steady and bright in the dim room.

The device was warm to the touch now, working hard to send the coordinates through the thick stone walls of the estate.

I crept toward the window, keeping low to avoid being seen from the courtyard below.

Outside, the floodlights illuminated the sweeping gravel driveway and the tall iron gates.