Page 91 of The Demon's Fire
“You spoke too soon,” piped Laurie from across the room. “Got a message. It’s a doozy.”
Anna and Cal hustled over to her computer, both leaning over Laurie’s shoulder.
“Despite your tainted blood and lies to keep the Alliance on the DL, we are willing to stop knocking you off for a small fee. Did we say small? That may have been a fiblet. We want $1,000,000 wired to an account we provide. We know the company is good for it. If we get it by 5 pm two days from now, you can keep your secrets, along with your heads. You might even get your precious Skyler back. We’ll be in contact two days hence. Be ready with the money or you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
The three exchanged scrunched eyebrows. “They know Skyler’s missing.” Cal’s lips squeezed tight in case his lunch decided on a round trip.
Laurie and Anna shook their heads.
“I’ll meet with the board to discuss the one mil, but I doubt they’ll capitulate. The big bosses aren’t keen on blackmail. Still, if it means keeping our secrets, who knows? Our agents will step up their efforts to find these assholes. Excuse the language, ladies. I’ll check with information services to see who’s tracing TheBigReveal since Siri’s … uh … no longer with us.”
Anna gave a dismissive wave with her hand. “You have a lot on your plate, Cal. Thanks for pitching in on Skyler’s workload in addition to your own. Farm-to-table Grocers has not been a patient client. She’ll appreciate your team spirit when she gets back. You’re proving your worth to the Alliance.”
Cal’s chest puffed out. “No problem, Anna. We’re all here for each other.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
Tearssoaked Skyler’s cheeks as she half ran, half clawed her way up the hill, searching for the river. She climbed higher, always moving in the direction Kole had told her to go. Pausing to glance behind her, she no longer saw him or heard the frightening howls which arose from the battle below.
After struggling up a steep bluff, Skyler pulled over the top. While she rested, she spied the river flowing beyond the grassy meadow.
Her breathing steady again, she lurched to her feet, trailing alongside the swirling, roiling whitewater. After a half mile, she caught sight of the waterfall in the distance. Skyler hitched her backpack onto her other shoulder and hastened toward the thunderous falls. The nearer she got, the more slippery the rocks, the more arduous the climb.
Her breathing labored, Skyler plotted her path. Gazing at the steep cliff, she squinted into the sun, hoping to see the cavern entrance behind the cascading water. She still couldn’t make it out. Kole had said it was well-hidden.
She slipped both arms into the knapsack’s straps, adjusting it on her back. Nothing looked easy. But she had to reach the cave. She had to follow Kole’s orders.
If… No. … When he joins me, he’ll be happy I obeyed him. For a change.
Finding a dry foothold and a spot for her hand, she climbed, struggling up the rock face. Pausing to catch her breath on a wide ledge, she mulled over her progress so far. Her strength and stamina amazed her since she had been ascending the mountain for some time but was barely tired.
Strange.
Skyler searched for the entrance. There it was ahead, hidden by a gnarled, sparsely leafed tree which leaned in front of it.
Get off your ass. Keep going. It’s what Kole wanted.
She climbed until she was left of the cave opening. To reach it, Skyler had to traverse a narrow, algae-covered ledge by planting her nose to the rock wall, holding on somehow, inching along the path, never slipping.
No problem.
Her fingers latched onto a handhold. She stretched until her foot found the ledge. Swinging out, she set her left one beside it before she grabbed for the next hold.
Another step closer.
Clinging to rocks free of algae, she shuffled along behind the waterfall, her footing tenuous. Finally, the entrance was a bit above and to her right, too high to just step into. She’d have to heave herself up.
The muscle in her arm quivering, Skyler left the relative safety of the ledge to grab for a small crevice above her head.
Here goes.
Pulling up more easily than she thought possible, she lifted her body until she squeezed the toe of her shoe into another spot. Using the few handholds she found above her, she drew level with the opening.
With both toes barely gripping a hold and her fingers jammed into small cracks in the rock, she cussed. Now the scary part. She had to let go of a foot and hand to swing into the opening.
Please let me make it.
Skyler made a literal leap of faith, slamming belly down into the dirt at the entrance. She crawled further into the cave. Exhausted, she huddled against a wall, shaky arms wrapped around her knees.
