Page 72 of Raven's Claw
Kash huffed, thanking Zain when he handed Kash his tee.“Still breathing the last time I saw him.”
She nodded, then frowned.“You’re hurt.”
“And yet, a far sight better than you.”
“What…”
“I’ll tell you everything once you’re coherent.Which is my subtle way of telling you to stay with me.”He leaned in.“You promised me you wouldn’t run.I need you to keep that.”
“I’ll…”
Her head lolled to the side as she faded, eyes falling shut.He rechecked her pulse — breath held, heart a dead weight in his chest until a weak strum fluttered against his fingertips.“We’re losing her.”
Zain crouched low.“Brother, I know how much you want to be the one to carry her out, but it might complicate things if you end up on your ass on the way.Let me take her.”
Kash cursed under his breath but nodded.While he wouldn’t admit it out loud, he wasn’t sure hecouldcarry her.Not without doing exactly what Zain had mentioned.
Zain gathered her in his arms, maintaining the pressure on her back before making a beeline for the exit.Kash trailed behind, using Nyx and the wall to stay upright and moving.
Miller already had Tucker on the boat by the time they reached the dock, the weather infinitely worse than when they’d ventured in.
Saylor waved them on, holding up her radio.“Foster just left Providence.But with the freezing level so low, he has to go around a few of the bigger hills.It’ll add another ten minutes to his flight.”
Zain winced.“I don’t think she has that to spare.”
“Which is why I told him we’d meet him at this out-of-the-way marina south of here.I called ahead, and they’ll let me dock my boat for the night.Honestly, I think they were more surprised anyone was out here.There’s enough room for Foster to squeeze the machine next to the dock.It should buy us back that time.”
“Are you sure it’s okay to be out on the water?”Zain shook his head.“I’m not gonna lie, Saylor.It looks bad.”
“I’ve been in worse.”
“And if this ends up beating that?”
Saylor glanced at Jordan.“I’ll never be able to look at myself in the mirror if we don’t try.I’ve lost teammates, too.I’m not losing another.”
Zain looked at Kash, then back to her.“Then, let’s go.”
Zain motioned for Kash to plant his ass on one of the seats, then placed Jordan in his arms.“I figure you’ll be okay as long as you don’t try to stand.”
Kash held Jordan against his chest as Saylor maneuvered the boat away from the dock.She hit the throttle and leapt ahead.Not as insane as before, but faster than she probably should, considering the conditions.Zain hadn’t been exaggerating.White caps covered the surface, lashing at the hull as each swell lifted and dropped them several feet.The wind roared past, lowering the temperature until Kash had to focus on keeping his teeth from chattering.
Saylor never wavered.Kept the bow pointed south, despite how her hands shook against the wheel.Even from several feet back, he noticed the way she shivered.Zain stepped up behind her, shielded some of the spray, but it was only a matter of time before they all succumbed to the cold.
Having the marina appear amidst the pouring rain and heavy clouds gave Kash a glimmer of hope.If they could just make it to the dock, Jordan would have a chance.
Saylor spun the wheel, working the engines as the surf attempted to capsize the vessel.But she held firm, guiding it in without crashing, which looked like a distinct possibility with everything rocking and tilting.
Or maybe that was his head.
Regardless, Saylor had the boat snugged into the pier just as Foster soared overhead, the downwash rocking the vessel before he banked to the left, wrestling the chopper into an aggressive approach.He hovered a foot off the ground, making it look easy despite the gusting winds and driving rain.
They clambered onboard in record time, shutting out the weather.Chase had an IV and some plasma hooked up to Jordan’s arms before Foster lifted off.Had her on her side — her wound exposed.Chase didn’t falter, coating it with clotting powder then wrapping it tight.He double checked her vitals then moved on to Tucker.
Kash didn’t know how Chase did it.Held their lives in his hands without batting eye.Just staring at all the blood, how her skin was practically transparent, had Kash fighting not to puke.
Chase shifted back, pushing meds into her before handing Kash a bag.“If you’re gonna hurl, brother, do it in that.And count how many times, because I have a bad feeling that concussion I heard you got at the cave has gotten a whole lot worse.”
Kash waved it off.“I’m fine.You just worry about Jordan…”
