Page 50 of Raven's Curse
Greer called a second time, staring into the darkness as if she could will Eli to appear. Make him materialize out of the foggy depths. Chase retraced his steps, still listening for a response when something thumped downstream. He paused, gaze searching the shadows, every sense on high alert, when the hollow sound echoed through the forest, again, followed by two light taps.
Chapter Thirteen
Greer inhaled, glancing over at Chase. Wondering if she’d simply willed the sound into existence. Chase snapped his gaze to the bank, shining his light along the mud until he zeroed in on a spot several feet downstream.
He lunged forward, crouching low. “I’ve got a knee impression and more blood.”
She followed, breath held, her flashlight covering as much area as possible.
A gurgling rasp.
Low. Weak. Like someone breathing through a straw and failing.
They inched along, caught a hint of movement off the side of the bank.
Chase removed his medic bag, propped it on the bank, then jumped in. The surging current tumbled him forward a few steps until he leaned back — braced himself. He moved along the edge, stopping at a tangle of roots, clumps of moss and old leaves collecting along one side. Churning in the current as it eddied around the wood. He leaned down, highlighting a large hollow cave stretching beneath a massive spruce, one black boot poking through the weblike structure. “Eli.”
Greer scrambled to the edge, slipping into the dark water. Branches clawed at her legs as she moved in beside Chase, spying Eli’s face barely cresting the surface.
Chase held her back. “Stay here. Keep as much light on him as possible. I’ll check for wires, then get him free.”
She nodded, teeth already chattering, the beam shaking as she shivered from the cold. Chase drew in a deep breath, then dipped beneath the surface, the water quickly closing overtop his head.
Time ticked away, every second dragging on until she started searching the surface.
He should be up by now. Grabbing another breath. Telling her it’s clear, unless…
A surge of panic before she shoved it down. Focused on keeping Eli pinned in the center of the beam. Trusting Chase was simply stronger than her. Better prepared.
Eli whimpered, mouthing what looked like her name before he bobbed beneath the surface, reappearing a moment later in front of the roots, Chase cresting the water beside him.
Chase dragged him clear, his head balanced on Chase’s shoulder until they reached her. “Can you guide his head until we’re back to where I left my bag?”
“Sure.”
She swung the shotgun across her back, then cupped one hand beneath Eli’s hair, keeping his face above water as they fought against the current, finally backtracking to the opening on the bank. Chase motioned for her to jump out, somehow maneuvering both him and Eli out of the water without having to hike the other man over his shoulder.
He carried Eli back to the main trail, then eased him down, shoving his wet jacket under Eli’s head. “Easy, brother. I’ve got you.”
Greer hovered nearby, shotgun sweeping the landscape, her stomach tied in knots. Images of Troy played in her head, that same helpless feeling flooding her system.
Chase did a quick body sweep, then rolled Eli onto his side, wincing when the man cried out. “I know, just bear with me. I need to see what I’m dealing with.”
Pink bubbles frothed from Eli’s shoulder blade, the odd fleck of blood splattering across his uniform.
Chase eased him back, then went to work, slapping on sponges and setting up an IV. He waved her over, pointing to the massive wound on his lower abdomen. “I need pressure. A lot, so use your knee.”
She hesitated, her gaze flying to Eli before she shifted — pressed her knee into his stomach. He jerked, clawing at her for a few moments before his hands fell limp at his side, his eyes rolling back.
Bile crested her throat, but she willed it away, holding one of his hands in hers. Something to anchor him. Keep him this side of the light.
Chase checked his cell and cursed. “Still nothing. We’ve got to go. Get him back to the Bronco. We’ll call once we’ve got a signal. See if someone can meet us along the way.”
She nodded, moving when Chase did his best to pack the wound. Thick dark blood stained the ground as Chase heaved the man onto his shoulder, shifting Eli’s position until most of his weight centered over that wound — kept it from bleeding out.
Chase waved, and Greer took off, lighting up the path while checking for danger. Another sniper shot or a trip wire they hadn’t noticed. Or one their perp had added after they’d passed by. A twig snapped beneath her boot, everything inside her jumping before she pushed it all down. Picked up the pace.
Chase followed behind, moving so fast, she wondered how his legs didn’t buckle beneath the strain. His breathing measured. Strong.
