Page 93 of Fatal Thrill

Fighting through the pain, she forced her eyes open and shifted on to her hands and knees. Dizziness swamped her. Her stomach lurched. Breathing deeply, waiting for the vertigo to pass, she forced her brain to connect thedots.

Looking around, her eyes began to adjust to her surroundings, bumps and rock formations coming intoview.

Getout.

She didn’t know where she was or where Dalton might be, but she had to move or she would, at the very least, freeze to death. Was that Dalton’s plan? To leave her here and let herdie?

Her hand clamored for her coat pocket, adrenaline giving her a boost. Frantic, she felt for the cross. When it wasn’t there, she sat back on her heels and patted down her other pockets. Maybe she was confused. The cross might bethere.

She moved to the next pocket. Orhere.

Orhere.

All the pockets wereempty.

Damnit.

Fear turned to horror. Without the cross, she had no bargaining chip to get Finnback.

Finn. Where was he? Had Jon foundhim?

Teeth chattering, she took stock. She couldn’t sit here and wait for someone to find her, she had to figure out where she was and how to get back toJon.

At least her hands and feet weren’t bound. She still couldn’t feel her toes, but her legs felt like pins and needles were stabbing her. She wasn’t going to let that stop her from walking, climbing, or whatever she had to do to get out of thisplace.

Another chilling drop of water splatted on her, this time hitting the crown of her head. Eyes finally adjusted to the darkness, she realized the icicle was actually a stalactite. Dozens of others dotted the cave’sceiling.

She started to stand, but the floor was slippery and her unsure feet gave out on her.Smack!Her feet went forward and she went backward, tailbone hitting the hard stones and making her yelp inpain.

Panting, she slowly rose once more, and against the recommendation of the Little Drummer Boy banging away inside her head, shifted her weight like a surfer, keeping her hands out for balance. A few times, she was able to take normal steps, others were more of aslide.

“Hello?”

The voice was tired, shaky, and came from her left. Her heart raced, her eyes squinted. “Finn?”

“Jaya?”

Disregarding the icy floor, she flew in his direction, going down, but not caring about the pain. She scrambled on hands and knees toward him, nearly sobbing withrelief.

His form came into view, a fuzzy monochrome of skin, hair, and clothes. “Jaya?” he asked again, his voice soft, measured. “I can’t believe it’syou.”

Her hand found his leg and she pulled herself beside him. “Oh my god, Finn. I’ve been soworried.”

She hugged him, the motion awkward when he leaned his head into her shoulder, but he didn’t hug herback.

His body shook with cold. “How did you findme?”

“I didn’t really.” Her hands went down his arms as she realized his wrists were bound. “Dalton knocked me out and brought mehere.”

“Dalton?”

“Yourkidnapper.”

Finn shook his head, a nasty gash on the temple that looked black in the darkness. “It’s that guy from the home where mom is. Jason?Jeremy?”

“Justin,” she told him. “That’s not his real name. He’s a serial killer, Finn. We have to get out of here before he comesback.”

“What?” Finn asked flabbergasted, but over his voice cameanother.