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A massive crash behind us. I risk a glance back. The tunnel is collapsing, a wave of destruction racing toward us.
“Go!” I roar, shoving Ember and the children ahead of me. Jon stumbles, Daniel’s weight threatening to drag him down. I grab his arm, hauling them both forward.
We burst out of the tunnel in a cloud of dust and debris. Cool night air hits my face, sweet as salvation.
The opening deposits us on a narrow ledge above the river. Sheer concrete walls rise on either side—remnants of old flood control measures. The water churns below, dark and forbidding.
Behind us, the tunnel entrance collapses with a final, thunderous roar. Our escape route is sealed.
I scan our surroundings, mind racing. We’re exposed here, silhouetted against the night sky. Easy targets if the Night Pack managed to follow us.
THIRTEEN
Blaze
“Options?”Jon wheezes, clearly at the end of his endurance.
Before I can answer, a spotlight blazes to life, pinning us in its harsh glare. A voice booms out, amplified and distorted.
“This is the NYPD. You are surrounded. Lay down your weapons and put your hands in the air.”
Fuck.
I raise my hands slowly, mind whirling. How do I explain this situation? Armed men, traumatized kids, a half-dead civilian… It looks bad, really bad.
Then, a miracle of miracles, a familiar voice cuts through the chaos.
“Stand down. Friendlies on site. I repeat, friendlies on site.”
Jenny. Thank God.
I turn to Ember, a grin splitting my face despite the exhaustion. “Told you we’d get out.”
“I think I told you we’d get out,” she retorts, her defiant streak on full display. She manages a shaky smile, eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Her spirit, even after everything we’ve been through, hits me like a punch to the gut. This woman, who’s been through hell and back, still has the fire to challenge me.
It’s—intoxicating.
“Fair enough,” I concede, my voice softer than intended. “I guess I owe you one.”
Ember raises an eyebrow, a hint of her earlier snark returning. “One? I’d say you owe me at least three. Maybe four.”
A chuckle escapes me, surprising us both. “I’ll start a tab.”
In the harsh light of the floodlamps, I see her clearly. Dirt and grime streak her face, her hair is a tangled mess, and there’s a nasty cut above her left eye that’ll need attention.
But her eyes… God, her eyes. They’re alive with a fire that makes my heart race in a way that has nothing to do with our recent escape.
I want to reach out and brush away a strand of hair that’s fallen across her face. The urge to protect her and shield her from further harm is overwhelming.
This just got personal.
“You did good in there.” I keep my voice low, meant for her ears only. “Not many could have kept it together like that.”
She looks away, a mix of emotions crossing her face. “Yeah, well, not my first time in a tight spot.”
The words are casual, but there’s a weight behind them that speaks volumes. I’m reminded of the mysteries surrounding her, the trauma I sensed earlier. My curiosity burns but now’s not the time. Still, I make a silent promise to myself to unravel the enigma that is Ember Winters.