Kagami placed the envelope on the counter, lingering a moment before forcing herself to the bedroom to quickly pack a bag.
It felt strange, having the amok on her hand. The weight of it was not something she was used to. Everything had happened so quickly, and not in a way she had prepared for.
She hated being unprepared.
She checked her watch, cursing as she realized she was out of time. She needed to get Adrien out of Paris before Gabriel woke up, before he realized that Kagami was no longer under Tomoe's control.
She reached into the dresser drawer and pulled out the false bottom, grabbing the cash she had stashed there. She did not waste time to replace the drawer.
She was almost to the apartment door when she stopped in her tracks. Standing in the foyer was Felix. He was holding the envelope.
There was a silence as they both looked at each other, their faces sharing a practiced composure.
"Did you open it?" she asked.
"It has my name on it," Felix replied, not answering the question.
It didn't look like he had.
"I came as soon as I heard the news," Felix continued. "I suppose congratulations are in order."
A part of her told her she should be sad. Was it for betraying her parent? Was it because Adrien couldn't do the same? Or was it the paper sack by Felix's feet, one she recognized from the shopette down the street. No doubt containing what he thought would be a toast to her freedom.
"I don't have time to celebrate," Kagami stated, shouldering her travel bag.
Felix didn't seem rushed. "How did you do it, in the end?"
Kagami looked down at her hand, burdened with the signet ring she'd wanted to wear all her life.
"I made a gamble," she answered. "for once, it payed off."
Felix looked morose. "I should have been there, I'm sorry."
"Better that you weren't." She knew he would hate to hear that, but he needed to hear it.
"I knew Adrien was planning on running," he admitted. "He very unceremoniously dumped a list of responsibilities in my lap last night. But I thought you planned on staying. I thought we had a plan."
"I need to get Adrien out of Paris, away from Gabriel," Kagami continued. "Something big is coming. The plan has to change."
Felix nodded in understanding. "The less I know the better, then."
He lacked his usual conviction in his words.
"You need to keep an eye on Gabriel, he's becoming erratic."
"becoming?" Felix gave a half hearted laugh.
A beat of silence followed.
"Let me know?" he asked. "When you're safe."
"It will be risky."
"Don't worry," Felix assured her. "My cousin made me promise. You'll always win at roulette."