Page 31 of Raven’s Claw (Raven’s Cliff #2)

Kash scrubbed a hand down his face. There was plenty to be concerned about, the fact her implant hadn’t been the kind they’d counted on was right up there.

But they could worry about that if they lived past tonight.

If the future was more than a black hole threatening to suck them both over the event horizon.

Zain sat beside him, blinking against the stinging spray. “She’ll be okay.”

Kash nodded. Not because he believed it, but because he wasn’t about to jinx the mission before it began. Put any possibility other than success out into the universe. He’d tempted Fate enough, lately. No sense pissing her off. “It’s not just her I’m worried about. If anything happens to Atticus…”

He wasn’t sure how Mac would take it. How any of them would. Despite the fact Atticus was opinionated, ornery and a giant pain in their asses, he was the heart of Raven’s Watch.

“The old coot’s too stubborn to die.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.”

“I’m always right, brother.” He grunted when the boat tipped up then dropped down, shooting water out both sides. “Looks like that storm’s moving in fast.”

“Then, it’s a good thing our captain seems to thrive on the challenge.” Kash nudged him. “You ever gonna ask her out?”

“Who says I haven’t?”

“Nyx would know if you were entertaining anyone, and she’d rat you out.”

Zain chuckled. “Maybe I’m just waiting to see how your experiment in love goes, first. Because I can’t tell if you’re on cloud nine or paddling down the river Styx.”

“Ask me, again, once this is over.”

Zain clapped him on the shoulder, then moved to Saylor’s side.

She gave him a quick glance, lingering a bit longer than necessary before pointing at something in the distance.

Kash squinted against the utter blackness.

Large rocks rose out of the frothing surf, slashing against the inky sky like jagged scars.

Waves beat against the sides, shooting into the air only to rain down over the boulders, swirling with the churning water before flowing out — starting the cycle all over again.

Saylor reduced the throttle, looking back at everyone across her shoulder. “This is where it gets tricky. There’s nothing but rocks and more rocks between us and our only viable docking location. I had the option of running the boat aground last time. We don’t have that luxury here.”

“Wait.” Cannon waved at the boat. “You crashed last time you did something like this?”

“I didn’t crash. I made a painful decision. Which isn’t an option. So, everyone get ready. I only get one shot at this.”

“And if you miss?”

“Then, I hope everyone knows how to swim.” She turned away, then quickly gazed back. “Everyone does know how to swim, right?”

She didn’t wait for an answer, hitting the throttle and lurching the boat ahead.

It danced over the waves, rising and falling amidst the rocks until Kash wasn’t sure how they were still in one piece.

How she maneuvered the craft in the dead of night, the wind howling around them as the water raged against the hull, spitting and gurgling as if it was taking its last breath.

Like Sean had that fateful night in the helicopter.

Kash pushed the memories aside and tightened his grip on Nyx’s lead. He couldn’t afford to get distracted. To be anything less than two hundred percent invested. He’d already lost family. He wasn’t losing anyone else.

Saylor spun the wheel, toed the boat into the waves, then allowed them to push her back, aligning her with that docking spot she’d mentioned.

More like the only flat rock in the entire area.

A massive, craggy spire protected it from the worst of the surge, but getting there wasn’t going to be easy.

Zain moved over to the side, line in hand, not an ounce of fear as he readied himself to jump.

Kash pushed to his feet, snagging Zain’s arm. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Zain shrugged. “Someone needs to jump over. Saylor’s exceptional, but she can’t do this alone.”

“Then give the line to Nyx. She can make the distance in her sleep.”

“Sorry. Pretty sure we need someone with opposable thumbs for this one. To properly secure it while everyone disembarks. Preferably before Saylor’s boat gets battered into kindling.”

Kash didn’t have time to argue before Zain climbed over the rail, timed the next upswell, then launched off. He landed dead center, catching his balance against a wash of water across the surface, when a larger than normal wave knocked the boat hard to the left.

The line pulled taut, dragging Zain to the edge, then over. He managed to wrap one arm around a small rock, barely hanging on when the next wave hit.

Kash unclipped Nyx’s leash, put his back to her, then waved her on. “Go.”

The dog took two bounding steps, kicked up and off Kash’s back then over to the rock, sliding across the slick surface a foot before spinning and zeroing in on Zain.

She grabbed the line in his other hand — started tugging and grunting.

Using all her strength to slowly pull Zain up and over the edge.

He crawled onto the rock, shaking off the next spray before giving her a scratch.

It took a few minutes to maneuver the boat into the tight space and secure it enough everyone else could climb over without falling. Nyx darted back to Kash the moment he jumped onto the rock, hugging his leg.

Zain clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks for the save. I owe Nyx a steak, or ten.”

“She’s gonna hold you to that.” Kash motioned to the boat. “You sure you don’t want to take Miller’s place and stay with Saylor? Be the one to sweep through the tunnels once Saylor makes it around to the main entrance?”

“Not a chance, brother. Miller will keep her safe on the trip over. We’ve got family counting on us.”

They already had their pairings. Kash would go in one direction with Nyx and Zain, while Cannon and Jericho took the other. Saylor had found a few old maps of the area she’d brought with her from the Coast Guard, and they confirmed the branching passages converged on the main cave farther south.

Assuming nothing had changed.

Saylor frowned, looking as if she wanted to suggest altering the plan — sneaking through the tunnels with them instead of circling around to the main entrance. But she stayed in the boat, nodding her thanks when Zain tossed the line to Miller and gave the vessel a hefty shove to get it moving.

She managed to back up, turn and disappear into the massive graveyard of rocks in under a minute, the incoming clouds quickly closing in around them.

Cannon motioned to the twin tunnels. “We’ll take the right passage. If Saylor’s maps are accurate, we should pop out on the southwest side of the main structure, with you three gaining access to the upper northwest section. Just remember, any amount of noise will carry, even suppressed fire.”

Zain nodded. “Isn’t that why we all brought knives?”

“God, you’re just like Miller. Try not to die. Jericho has her boss on speed dial. He’s got a unit on standby once we’ve got the situation under control. Until then, we’re on our own.”

They took off, vanishing into the complete darkness of the adjoining tunnel.

Zain turned on his flashlight then motioned Kash ahead.

Kash followed suit, letting Nyx lead. He kept the light level as low as possible without risking a broken ankle.

Still, the beam seemed overly bright as it bounced along the slick walls, casting odd shadows as they moved down the tunnel.

The kind of attention that would get them killed if they didn’t detect any viable threat before a bunch of highly trained assholes started firing.

Kash checked his watch, then the tracker app — eleven fifty-five. Another five minutes, and he should pick up the signal — have visual proof he hadn’t lost Jordan, yet. That if he hauled ass to that chamber, he could still save her.

Nyx worked her magic, scenting the air then scrambling ahead. They climbed over rocks, then crawled under rocky shelves, the massive walls groaning and creaking. Bits crumbled off and crashed onto the solid floor, landing with an echoing thud. The kind of noises that preceded cave-ins.

Zain muttered under his breath, staying close. “I really hate being underground.”

Kash nodded. “I hear, ya. At least, we haven’t come across any bats, yet.”

“Seriously, Kash?” Zain rolled his shoulders, pursing his lips. “Why did you have to jinx it?”

“You know I’ll deal with them if it comes down to it, right?”

“Just find this main section before we get swarmed.”

Kash snorted, when Nyx growled, staring into the darkness, teeth bared.

The line of fur along her back raised. He killed the light, pressing his shoulders into the rock as they stood there, straining to hear anything above the distance drip of water.

How the wind still howled through the rock formations.

Nyx held firm, tilting her head before taking a cautious step forward. She paused, sniffed, then moved. One step at a time — Kash sliding his hand along the wall to keep from tripping over his own feet — until they reached a bend in the tunnel.

The dog scented the rush of air, growling again. Lower. Deeper. The vibrations strummed through the rock as she pawed the ground. He chanced a quick peek. A hint of light brightened the far end, a lone shadow cast along the wall.

Kash held up one finger, then pointed down the tunnel.

He inched out, gun and one of his KA-BARs at the ready, Nyx hugging his thigh.

They moved in sync, closing the distance, keeping to the darker shadows when a guy stepped into the tunnel.

Gaze still focused on someone or something off to his left.

His rifle resting against his chest. Available, but not ready.