Page 32 of Raven’s Claw (Raven’s Cliff #2)

Bastard didn’t get the opportunity to use it when Nyx barreled down the last twenty feet, looking like a damn bullet streaking through the air.

She hit the guy full force, bounced him off the wall then onto the floor.

He landed hard, obviously dazed, head rolling side-to-side.

Kash whistled, calling Nyx off as he quickstepped over — knocked the bastard out.

Voices echoed in the other chamber, footsteps heading their way.

Kash pressed his back into one side of the wall, Zain the other.

Waiting until the men’s muted shadows appeared in front before stepping out — engaging them point blank.

Kash didn’t have Jordan’s ninja skills, but he held his own at hand-to-hand.

Deflected the guy’s strikes, then landed half a dozen of his own — ending it with a firm hook to the creep’s jaw just as Zain’s tango landed in a heap beside Kash.

His buddy bound and gagged the men, then waved Kash on, still taking point.

They cleared the open chamber then continued down the tunnel on the far side. Keeping the light low until they reached another junction. Kash showed the countdown on one hand then popped out, sweeping the area. Bright light illuminated the end of the corridor, odd shadows dancing across the floor.

They jogged down the path, constantly checking their six until they reached the end. Zain went first, this time, taking a breath then darting out.

“Holy shit.” Zain cleared the immediate area, shaking his head as he took in the row of lights disappearing down a larger tunnel. “This wasn’t some last-minute decision. Rook’s been here at least a couple days. More likely a week.”

That voice inside Kash’s head started yelling as a shiver worked down his spine. “I don’t like how this is shaping up.”

“Me, either. Has me rethinking the past few weeks.”

“I know Jordan said Rook always had backup plans, but this feels like he’s operating on a whole other level. That he’s got multiple ways of getting her out.”

He grabbed his cell and studied the app. A blue dot flashed near the entrance, the rhythm reminiscent of a heartbeat. Except, he had no way of knowing if Jordan was alive or not. If they’d already made the trade or were facing the bastard down. Just that light pulsing against the darkness.

Zain looked over Kash’s shoulder. “Game on.” He nodded when it started moving. “Looks like she knows Rook as well as she claimed. They’re on the move.”

“He’d better not hurt her.”

“That’s why we’re here. You ready?”

Zain took off, hoofing it down the lit corridor.

Back rigid. Multiple weapons at the ready.

He rounded the corner, stopped, then took off.

Vaulted over an outcropping before he caught another tango as he bolted out from an adjoining path.

The guy bounced off the rock, blood splattering across the stone before he rolled to his feet.

Zain had a knife slicing through the air before the guy fully recovered.

It hit him in the shoulder, just outside his vest. Sent him careening backwards.

He crashed into the wall, sliding down with an eerie groan — leaving a bloody trail across the rock.

Kash joined Zain on the opposite wall, checking the tracker, again. “They’re closing in fast.”

Zain rolled his shoulder. “I realize this is all going to plan but…”

“Yeah, I feel it, too. Murphy sitting on our shoulders, just waiting to screw it all up.”

“If we get any closer before Rook enters…”

“They’ll see us.”

Zain gave him a pat on the arm. “Dig in, brother. This op’s about to… Get down!”

Zain tackled Kash to the floor, taking Nyx with them as automatic fire popped to life, cutting through the air as bullets whizzed overhead. They ricocheted off the stone, one hitting Kash’s vest before Zain rose — emptied a full clip at the men.

They grunted then hit the floor before something clattered along the tunnel.

Grenade.

Too close to avoid.

Instead, Kash tugged Nyx closer and covered her head — braced for impact as the unit skidded along the corridor then exploded.

Rocks and dust shot through the tunnel as smoke billowed through the air.

The walls shook, parts of the ceiling crashing to the floor as more explosions sounded in the distance.

Zain grabbed Kash’s shoulder as he patted him down, the ground still rumbling beneath them. “Shit, are you hit?”

Pain flared through Kash’s ribs, the dull ache clearing some of the ringing in his ears. “Vest stopped it. Nyx?”

“No blood, but I’m sure her head’s spinning, too.”

Kash nodded, hating the way it amplified the pounding through his temples. “The tunnel?”

“What tunnel?”

His buddy climbed over the debris as Kash finally managed to push onto his hands and knees — stared at the remains of the corridor.

Zain ran his hands along the edge of the rocks. “There’s a hint of daylight, but…”

Kash dug for his cell, staring at the blue dot pulsing less than a hundred meters away, when gunfire echoed through the walls. Shouts rose beyond the mountain of stone, followed by the unmistakable rattle of a flash bang. “They’re already in the chamber. We don’t have time to go around.”

Zain nodded, tossing pieces of rock to one side. “We’ll never clear it in time.” He glanced back at Kash then removed one of his own frags. “Maybe we can blow it out of the way?”

“Or bring the rest of the cliff down on top of us.”

“It’s either this or we backtrack.”

Kash glanced at the dot then over to Zain. “Blow it.”