Page 184 of Ravaged Soul

“Not here,” Warner adds. “Elsewhere in the factory.”

She nods, crouching lower to meet the child at eye level. “Help’s coming, I promise. But I need to know if there are more rooms like this one. Can you tell me?”

“My s-sister.” The kid hugs his bony, stick-thin legs. “They took her.”

“When? Is she here?”

He sobs so hard, it’s a wonder he hasn’t passed out. “D-Don’t know.”

“Motherfucker,” Warner spits. “We have to keep looking just in case. Wherever Nolan Madden is, he won’t be away from his base for long. I won’t risk leaving anyone behind if we have to split.”

“Stay with the kid.” I draw upright, gut clenched tight. “I’ll continue searching. Clear this floor.”

“Gracie,” Ember wheezes. “She could be here. I’m coming.”

“Stay, Em. Wait for Blaine.”

“She’ll be terrified! It has to be me!”

“It isn’t safe,” I try to argue. “You’re better off waiting here. The kid needs protection too.”

“Then why don’t you stay, and I’ll go? Because either way, I’m finding Gracie tonight.”

This is shaping up to be a nightmare. We’re wasting precious time bickering about it and scaring the kid further in the process. Reluctantly, I nod and give her a helping hand up.

“We go together.”

“Great.” Ember adjusts her earpiece. “Come on.”

“Blaine and the others will be here soon.” I meet Warner’s fearful eyes. “Hold down the fort.”

“This is ridiculous.” He puffs out air.

“We don’t have time to waste!”

“I know, fuck! Go fast. Protect her with your life, Axel. If a single hair on her head is harmed, I’ll be removing yours.”

Ignoring his threat, I whirl on Gunnar. “Stay with him.”

“Attempting to renege on our bargain, brother?” His eyes squint in suspicion.

“Clearly not! We’re coming straight back. But if you get my team leader killed, I’ll be shoving that bargain somewhere very unpleasant for you.”

Gunnar smirks like this is all a big joke. “Sure.”

“When Blaine and the others arrive, follow us. We may need help too.”

With the plan agreed upon, I snatch up Ember’s discarded flashlight then check that my weapons are in order. Ember spares the crying child one last look before striding ahead, her shoulders squared like she’s frantically clinging to why she has to leave him behind.

We roam deeper into the maze, coming to a sharp bend down the next short corridor. The metal door screams in protest as Iswing it open, plunging ahead with Ember hot on my heels. It leads to a deserted, brick-lined room with a winding staircase at the back.

“Dead end.” I spin around the space.

“The only way is down.”

“Beta Team is ascending.” I turn the flashlight on each corner, ensuring that there’s nothing hidden. “They can clear this section. We should turn back.”

“We’re in the western wing now, they’re in the east.” Ember anxiously bounces on her feet. “Blaine and the others won’t come this direction first—we have to clear the rooms below.”