[[Until We Become Lions]]

Chapter 127

Hotel Paraiso - Upstairs

Danijela counted to thirty upon the Marquessa's leave. She wanted to ensure there was enough time for the woman to reach the elevator before she made her move. The Marquessa's first mistake had been leaving a single guard to watch over the guerilla. The soldier had the advantage of their weapon, but Danijela needed no weapon, only improvisation. Danijela planted the palm of her foot against the ground, her hand draped over the armrest.

"Did you hear that?" Danijela asked the soldier.

The soldier turned his head slightly and then back to her.

"Hear what?"

"Nevermind." Danijela huffed, "I thought someone was at the door."

The soldier grumbled something under their breath. They turned and opened the door, leaning out slightly.

"There's no one there idiota-"

As the guard eased the door closed and turned, their head snapped back as the chair Danijela had been sitting in slammed his face in. The guard collapsed into a slump of limp limbs, pushing the door back open as they fell over unconscious. Danijela was quick to search their pockets for the elevator security badge and began to strip the soldier of their gear. She hastily stripped her own clothes, putting on the uniform of the FND soldier and their armor and helmet. She ignored the slick feeling of blood brushing against her face as she slid the helm on. She hurried to the elevator. How many times she had been up and down these floors inside Paraiso she could not count. She recalled the night she had slipped up to the presidential suite. How magical that night had been. Now...now these halls were nothing more to her than prison walls dressed with the finest wallpaper and gold crown molding.

As the elevator continued its descent, she could hear the sounds of the pre-ceremony more clearly. Once the elevator doors opened did she finally feel the waves of a hundred voices washing over her, echoing in the hotel lobby. The grand presentation was not lost upon Danijela. Would this have been her own ceremony in another life, had she stayed by Anton's side? Was there a reality where she knew all his dirty, vile secrets and still chose to wed him despite it all?

Danijela did not allow herself to dwell on this other reality for too long. Evee, Bicho and the others were waiting for her. The guerilla made her way towards the most obvious place where Evee and Bicho would be, and alas, she found them tangled amidst wires and speakers behind the curtains of the stage as they hurried to set up their distraction.

"Finally." Evee said in a harsh whisper, "Here-"

Evee took Danijela's hand and tucked a spare earpiece into her palm. Danijela examined it inscrutably.

"What is this stuff on it-"

"Just put it in your ear. Juan and Clara and the others are on."

Danijela looked to Bicho who smiled sheepishly. Danijela swallowed any bile that may have arisen in her throat as she tucked the earpiece securely.

"What's everyone's status?" Clara's voice came in over a brief sound of static.

"We have two teams at the anti-aircraft guns." Espada's voice said in a whisper. Danijela could picture the sword crouched somewhere in the dense forest, waiting to pounce on her prey.

"Our pilot is on standby but ready as soon as the guns are down."

Juan's voice cut over next, "Air Force Juan at your service."

Danijela smiled as Evee's own glee became evident at hearing her father's voice.

"ETA twenty-minutes."