Page 60 of Raven's Claw
Zain tackled Kash to the floor, taking Nyx with them as automatic fire popped to life, cutting through the air as bullets whizzed overhead.They ricocheted off the stone, one hitting Kash’s vest before Zain rose — emptied a full clip at the men.
They grunted then hit the floor before something clattered along the tunnel.
Grenade.
Too close to avoid.
Instead, Kash tugged Nyx closer and covered her head — braced for impact as the unit skidded along the corridor then exploded.Rocks and dust shot through the tunnel as smoke billowed through the air.The walls shook, parts of the ceiling crashing to the floor as more explosions sounded in the distance.
Zain grabbed Kash’s shoulder as he patted him down, the ground still rumbling beneath them.“Shit, are you hit?”
Pain flared through Kash’s ribs, the dull ache clearing some of the ringing in his ears.“Vest stopped it.Nyx?”
“No blood, but I’m sure her head’s spinning, too.”
Kash nodded, hating the way it amplified the pounding through his temples.“The tunnel?”
“What tunnel?”
His buddy climbed over the debris as Kash finally managed to push onto his hands and knees — stared at the remains of the corridor.
Zain ran his hands along the edge of the rocks.“There’s a hint of daylight, but…”
Kash dug for his cell, staring at the blue dot pulsing less than a hundred meters away, when gunfire echoed through the walls.Shouts rose beyond the mountain of stone, followed by the unmistakable rattle of a flash bang.“They’re already in the chamber.We don’t have time to go around.”
Zain nodded, tossing pieces of rock to one side.“We’ll never clear it in time.”He glanced back at Kash then removed one of his own frags.“Maybe we can blow it out of the way?”
“Or bring the rest of the cliff down on top of us.”
“It’s either this or we backtrack.”
Kash glanced at the dot then over to Zain.“Blow it.”
ChapterSixteen
Three figures.
Standing in the shadows.Just the hint of their outlines silhouetted against a dull light burning somewhere deeper in the cave.Two heavily armed.The other…
Rook.
While Jordan couldn’t see his face, she recognized the way the air shifted.The heaviness to it as he stepped out.That sense of foreboding that sucked out all the available oxygen — made her stomach roil from the sheer thickness of it.
She stood near the edge of the shoreline, Greer and Chase on either side.Backs stiff.Weapons just a draw away.They inched closer as the men moved out from the mouth of the cave, looking as if they’d shield her if anyone opened fire.Which they probably would.Just like Kash.
Chase shouldered in closer.“Remember.Don’t engage Rook until you’ve got backup.”
Jordan smiled.“God, you sound like Kash.”
“The man’s like a brother.And it’s obvious he’s stupid in love with you so, don’t make him have to live through another loss.The last one just about broke us.”
“I wasn’t planning on dying today, Chase.”
“You don’t have to die to rip out his heart.I know you want to make the ultimate sacrifice if one needs to be made.See that it doesn’t.”
She merely nodded, drawing herself up as Rook finally moved into the glow of the helicopter’s landing light.“I thought you said you didn’t renege on your promises?Because I followed your instructions, and yet, I don’t see Atticus.”
Rook chuckled.“No, hello?How are you?Really, Ember, what would your uncle think?”
