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Khalani and Takeshi tensed, unsure if they’d heard correctly, but Jack continued, “I don’t know exactlywhenthey’ll strike tomorrow, but we need to be ready the second it happens. Once we’re free of these cuffs, we make a run for the tunnel exit. Don’tworry about anyone else. Got it?” He met both of their eyes with a serious look while Elise sat there with her mouth agape.

“Are you telling me we’re going to be rescued tomorrow?” Her tone was awash with disbelief.

“Yes.” Khalani grabbed her hand. “We’re going to get you and your dad out of here.”

“But you have to be willing to fight and accept the possibility that we could all die tomorrow by doing this,” Ryder added, narrowing his gaze.

Elise glanced at her father, who was lost in thought, continuously mumbling gibberish as he petted his ring.

Tears shimmered in her eyes, but a second passed and her expression solidified before turning to Jack. “Count us in. We’re not spending another minute in this godforsaken place.”

An unrestrained energy rushed through Khalani’s limbs as they finalized their escape plans. Like she could run for miles and take on the Dealers right then and there.

But they had to wait.

One. More. Day.

When they went back to work in the tunnels, the clanging of metal felt like a closing act. A final hurrah to what was hopefully the last time she’d ever have to see a pickaxe again.

Takeshi remained broodingly quiet, taking over most of her load. But she sensed a frenzied storm building within him.

When they finally got their last break of the day, Takeshi murmured to her, “Stay here.”

Before she could question him, he marched toward the fighting area.

Khalani frowned and followed him without a second thought.

When Ryder sidled up next to her, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “What do you want?” she snapped.

“I can’t check to see how you’re doing?”

“No.”

“You look like hell.” He observed bluntly.

“Thanks. I’m sure women back in Hermes are weeping over the loss of your irresistible charm.”

Ryder placed a hand over his heart. “I’m hurt. Truly. I just wanted to see—where are you going?”

Ignoring him, Khalani pushed through the crowd of onlookers gathering to watch the next fight. She craned her neck left and right, searching for Takeshi among the prisoners.

A few seconds later, she found him.

The crowd parted for him as he stepped into the center, eyes blazing as he scanned the audience with predatorial focus.

What the hell was he doing?

“Who are you fighting?” one of the prisoners asked.

Takeshi’s gaze halted on someone, his muscles visibly tensing.

“Them.” He pointed at two prisoners in the crowd.

The men he stared at glanced behind them, unsure if he meant someone else. But when his gaze didn’t waver, they puffed their chests.

“He can’t fight two people.”

“That’s suicide.”