Page 59 of Raven's Claw
Zain muttered under his breath, staying close.“I really hate being underground.”
Kash nodded.“I hear, ya.At least, we haven’t come across any bats, yet.”
“Seriously, Kash?”Zain rolled his shoulders, pursing his lips.“Why did you have to jinx it?”
“You know I’ll deal with them if it comes down to it, right?”
“Just find this main section before we get swarmed.”
Kash snorted, when Nyx growled, staring into the darkness, teeth bared.The line of fur along her back raised.He killed the light, pressing his shoulders into the rock as they stood there, straining to hear anything above the distance drip of water.How the wind still howled through the rock formations.
Nyx held firm, tilting her head before taking a cautious step forward.She paused, sniffed, then moved.One step at a time — Kash sliding his hand along the wall to keep from tripping over his own feet — until they reached a bend in the tunnel.
The dog scented the rush of air, growling again.Lower.Deeper.The vibrations strummed through the rock as she pawed the ground.He chanced a quick peek.A hint of light brightened the far end, a lone shadow cast along the wall.
Kash held up one finger, then pointed down the tunnel.He inched out, gun and one of his KA-BARs at the ready, Nyx hugging his thigh.They moved in sync, closing the distance, keeping to the darker shadows when a guy stepped into the tunnel.Gaze still focused on someone or something off to his left.His rifle resting against his chest.Available, but not ready.
Bastard didn’t get the opportunity to use it when Nyx barreled down the last twenty feet, looking like a damn bullet streaking through the air.She hit the guy full force, bounced him off the wall then onto the floor.He landed hard, obviously dazed, head rolling side-to-side.Kash whistled, calling Nyx off as he quickstepped over — knocked the bastard out.
Voices echoed in the other chamber, footsteps heading their way.
Kash pressed his back into one side of the wall, Zain the other.Waiting until the men’s muted shadows appeared in front before stepping out — engaging them point blank.Kash didn’t have Jordan’s ninja skills, but he held his own at hand-to-hand.Deflected the guy’s strikes, then landed half a dozen of his own — ending it with a firm hook to the creep’s jaw just as Zain’s tango landed in a heap beside Kash.His buddy bound and gagged the men, then waved Kash on, still taking point.
They cleared the open chamber then continued down the tunnel on the far side.Keeping the light low until they reached another junction.Kash showed the countdown on one hand then popped out, sweeping the area.Bright light illuminated the end of the corridor, odd shadows dancing across the floor.
They jogged down the path, constantly checking their six until they reached the end.Zain went first, this time, taking a breath then darting out.
“Holy shit.”Zain cleared the immediate area, shaking his head as he took in the row of lights disappearing down a larger tunnel.“This wasn’t some last-minute decision.Rook’s been here at least a couple days.More likely a week.”
That voice inside Kash’s head started yelling as a shiver worked down his spine.“I don’t like how this is shaping up.”
“Me, either.Has me rethinking the past few weeks.”
“I know Jordan said Rook always had backup plans, but this feels like he’s operating on a whole other level.That he’s got multiple ways of getting her out.”
He grabbed his cell and studied the app.A blue dot flashed near the entrance, the rhythm reminiscent of a heartbeat.Except, he had no way of knowing if Jordan was alive or not.If they’d already made the trade or were facing the bastard down.Just that light pulsing against the darkness.
Zain looked over Kash’s shoulder.“Game on.”He nodded when it started moving.“Looks like she knows Rook as well as she claimed.They’re on the move.”
“He’d better not hurt her.”
“That’s why we’re here.You ready?”
Zain took off, hoofing it down the lit corridor.Back rigid.Multiple weapons at the ready.He rounded the corner, stopped, then took off.Vaulted over an outcropping before he caught another tango as he bolted out from an adjoining path.The guy bounced off the rock, blood splattering across the stone before he rolled to his feet.Zain had a knife slicing through the air before the guy fully recovered.It hit him in the shoulder, just outside his vest.Sent him careening backwards.
He crashed into the wall, sliding down with an eerie groan — leaving a bloody trail across the rock.
Kash joined Zain on the opposite wall, checking the tracker, again.“They’re closing in fast.”
Zain rolled his shoulder.“I realize this is all going to plan but…”
“Yeah, I feel it, too.Murphy sitting on our shoulders, just waiting to screw it all up.”
“If we get any closer before Rook enters…”
“They’ll see us.”
Zain gave him a pat on the arm.“Dig in, brother.This op’s about to… Get down!”
