Zoe POV

I know the voice before Noah does.

That's the only explanation for why I don't move—not surprise, not paralysis, but the specific recognition that arriving too fast turns your body into something useless for a half-second before your mind catches up. Vark's voice comes from the far end of the corridor, unhurried and pleasantly amused, the tone of a man who has found exactly what he expected to find and is enjoying the confirmation.

Noah takes a step back. The ...