Page 78 of The Last True Hero

There were a thousand things he wanted to say to Colton, but now was not the time. He stabbed a finger toward the cell. "This bastard's dead. Tell Vex he's bad odds."

"Funny thing," Rykker replied, "'cause it turns out he's our current champion."

"Rykker," someone called. A reiver poked his head through the door. "Zarina sent a message. Wants you to meet her outside, right now."

Rykker paused. "What? Right now?"

"Now," the reiver replied.

Rykker scowled. "You two"—he pointed to the reivers who'd guarded Adam's back—"you're on the door. Gnat, with me." Jerking War Dog's leash he was through the door, taking all of his men with him.

Rykker slammed the door behind him, and Adam realized he was too late when the lock clicked into place. He slammed against the door.

"Let me out, you bastard," he said as his world plunged into darkness, and Rykker laughed through the door.

"Have fun in there, McClain. Maybe I'll come and fetch you after I pay my respects to your woman."

No!The warg howled within him.

* * *

Time to make their move. Mia's heart pounded in her throat as Jake picked the lock into the cells below the arena. She gestured across the street to where Ellie waited with Sara and Bethany. All three of them darted across the street, into the shadows where Mia waited.

"Got it," Jake whispered, easing the door open.

"Go," Mia said, shoving Bethany ahead of her.

The second they were inside the storage rooms under the arena, Jake shut the door. Ellie flicked on the flashlight she'd brought, looking around. Metal gleamed. An underground garage, filled with enormous war machines and rally cars. At least there was no one here.

"The cells must be on the other side," Jake murmured. "You ready for this, Mia?"

"Yeah."

As ready as she could be. Ever since Jake returned without McClain, her heart had been in her throat. Why the hell had McClain gone off with Rykker? She understood the need to not piss off Vex, but surely Rykker was up to no good. Everything seemed to be moving too fast. She wanted desperately to rescue her sister, but without McClain their odds were poor.

And a part of her was purely terrified on his behalf. What had happened to him? If he could have returned, then he would have, surely.

Swinging her shotgun into her hands, she started out across the garage. She wore as much ammo as she could without drawing attention in the streets, and both knives were at her belt, but she still felt woefully unprepared.

"We get McClain," Jake said, "then we head for Sage and the others. If this general arrives tonight, we're up shit creek without a paddle."

"Got it." Mia moved between cars, following the flashlight's path to the opposite door.

"What are you doing here?" demanded a firm voice, just before she reached it.

Zarina Cypher stepped out of the shadows, dressed in head-to-toe black, her hand sliding to the butt of the gun at her waist as she eyed them suspiciously. She ignored Ellie and the girls, focusing all of her attention on Mia and Jake. "You guys shouldn't be in here."

Ellie was the one who saved the day, withdrawing her pistol from beneath her robes and pointing it at the back of Zarina's head. She clicked the safety off. "Don't move, bitch."

* * *

"Tell me," Colton muttered, pacing inside his cell. "What are you really doing in Rust City?"

"None of your business."

Colton stretched his neck from side to side. "It's not as though you've got anywhere to go. And the second that bastard gets back, you're a dead man."

"You wish." Adam paced the hallway. There was only one way out of this room. All of his nerves stretched on edge. He'd beaten his fists bloody against the door in the first couple of minutes, but, as Colton mockingly pointed out, it was built to withstand wargs.