If the guard saw the gun...
She didn't think twice before lifting her own gun and pointing it at the guard's head. She moved from her position behind the wall.
"Put the gun down," she said.
The guard looked between her and Hunt.
Fuck. He knows now.
"Put the gun down," she repeated.
"Or what? You'll shoot me?" the guard sneered. His voice sounded skeptical. He knew that she wouldn't.
Aria took a few steps forward, but the guard stayed in his position, his gun still pointed at Hunt.
Aria stopped when her own gun was only a few inches away from the guard's head.
"I said, put the gun down. I won't ask you again."
"I-I don't think so," he said, but his voice shook. He wasn't so sure anymore.
"Three seconds," she said.
"One"
She noticed the beads of sweat that had suddenly gathered on his forehead, despite the cold.
"Two"
He swallowed. The hand that was holding his gun began to shake.
"Three"
The guard put the gun down as soon as the word left her lips. The gun was still in his hand, but it was pointed at the ground and not Hunt
"Get on your knees," she said, her gun still aimed at his head.
He dropped to his knees, and Hunt took the gun out of his hands and tucked it into his belt.
"I'm sorry about this," Aria said. She brought the gun down, using all her force to hit him in the temple, just like Edwards had done to her.
"Funny," Hunt said afterward, searching the guard for something he could use to tie him up. "You didn't really sound that sorry."
"That's because I'm not," Aria said, looking around, making sure they were alone.
Hunt undid the man's belt and used it to bind his wrists together.
"What should we do with him? Take him to the throne room? The dungeon? That's where the others are taking the guards," Hunt said.
"We've already lost too much time. Let's just stick him in the closest room for now. We can come back for him later," she said.
She and Hunt dragged the man's body down the corridor. Eventually, they came across a storage room full of old furniture and other random items.
Aria found an old rope and handed it to Hunt. After he tied the man's legs together, they set out again.
They continued on their way to Warren's room, trying to be more discreet than before.
Eventually, they came to the hall that led to his room. Aria took a step forward. She wanted to lead.
She had just put her hand on the doorknob when suddenly three gunshots rang in the distance.
She froze.
Hunt stayed as still as a statue, listening.
Actually, using the guns they'd stolen was never part of the plan. But if it wasn't them, it was Warren's guards. Had they shot someone?
Aria looked at Hunt; the look on his face was similar to hers. They were both thinking the same thing; their people knew that gunfire would draw attention. They'd get caught. So it couldn't have been them. But if they weren't doing the shooting...then they were the ones being shot at.
Aria could only hope that it hadn't woken Warren up. And that everyone was okay.
She couldn't think about the what-ifs. Not right now.
She turned the doorknob, and just as she had anticipated, it was locked. She turned and looked at Hunt, giving him a nod. They'd discussed this.
Aria stood to the side as Hunt moved to the front of the door. They had to act quickly.
There was probably a quieter way to do this, a smarter way. But they didn't have time.
He took the gun that was slung across his back and brought it down on the doorknob.
Once. Twice. And the third time, the doorknob fell off. He kicked the door in, and Aria ran inside, her gun already up.
Warren was getting out of bed. They knew the sound would wake him.
"Stop," Aria said, aiming her gun at him.
He was half asleep, half out of bed. But he stopped.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asked.
"Get on your knees," Aria said.
Hunt came up beside her. His gun was pointed at Warren, too.
Aria was sure that her gun was enough, that it would prevent Warren from doing anything stupid. But having Hunt there as a backup made her feel more confident.
"Kieran? What is this?" Warren asked, looking between the two of them.
"Do what she says, Charles," Hunt said.
Warren scoffed. But he got on his knees.
Aria kept her gun pointed at him as Hunt put his down and went to tie Warren up. Once his hands were bound, Hunt grabbed his arm and helped him up.
Silently, they left the room.
"Do you really think this will work?" Warren asked.
"Shut up," Aria said, looking around.
"As soon as my guards see you, they'll shoot," Warren said.
"Then I guess I'll just have to shoot them first, huh?"
"What is this about, anyway? Your little king? Do you really think you can take me down?"
Aria didn't respond. He was obviously trying to be loud, hoping that someone would hear him.
"I hope you know that you've just signed his death warrant," Warren said.
That pissed her off. She turned to face him.
"Yeah? And who's gonna do that? You?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "In case you haven't noticed, you are in no position to be making threats. So who else? Your guards? That'll be a little difficult considering they're in the same position you are. Maybe worse. But keep talking, and I'll make sure that my little king gets his hands on you before I do."
That shut him up. They made their way to the throne room in silence after that.
Aria retook the lead. Once they were close to the throne room, she paid more attention to her surroundings. Warren's guards should have been overpowered by now, but not all of them were at their posts tonight. Some of them were sleeping in their rooms. The sounds their group alone had made were enough to wake some of them.
She was sure that not all the guards
