Niko barked out a laugh. “I wouldn’t know the difference.”
“Maybe we should shut off the circuit breakers when we get inside,” I suggested. “Throw those goons in the dark.”
“What good would that do?” Wyatt asked. “Do I look like I can see in the dark?”
I tapped my finger against my temple. “Think about it. Four of us in this van are undetectable to a Mage. Gem, Niko, and I can conceal our energy, and nobody can sense Christian. We’re not as helpless as they are. Claude can sniff out a Twinkie within a five-mile radius, Christian and I can see in the dark, and Niko doesn’t need light. We’d have more of an advantage than they would. You can take a pen light.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Viktor said over his shoulder. “Scan the outside of the building for the circuit breakers, and if we find nothing, then check the basement.”
“Ifwe get in,” Wyatt said, giving me a skeptical glance.
I unknotted a small tangle in my hair. “Look, if there’s no secret passageway, we’ll bust through the windows. No big deal. The only place they’ll have to go is the roof or out the back door.”
“Unless they have fire escapes,” Wyatt added.
Shepherd glared at him. “Why do you always have to be the wet blanket?”
Viktor parked the van, and we climbed out the rear door. When Claude jumped out, the van practically bounced with relief.
“Pair up,” Viktor said.
Christian stepped out and breezed by me. “I go solo.”
Viktor pointed at Shepherd. “You’re with Raven. Keep an eye on her.”
The team scattered in different directions, some walking up the dark street and others skulking in the shadows. Shepherd and I stopped by a square-shaped manhole cover in an alley that I recognized as one leading to the underground tunnels. Most of the street covers had been sealed up over the years, but usually the ones that were forgotten were located in alleyways.
Shepherd set down a cloth tool bag and tire iron. The manhole was large enough that I could easily slip through, but I made a skeptical appraisal of Shepherd’s V-shaped body and broad shoulders.
He ran his hand around the square cover. “It’s not bolted.”
“Hurry up,” I whispered.
He glared. “Feel free to lend a hand. This thing weighs more than you.”
Shepherd used the tire iron to pry open the lid and drag it aside. Then he rose to his feet and gaped down at the black hole. “I’m not sure I can fit in there.”
I clapped my hand on his shoulder. “Of course you can. I’ll go first, and if you get stuck, I’ll just tug on your legs until something pops.”
“Get in before I change my mind.”
I sat on the edge with my legs hanging down, pushing away thoughts of flesh-eating monsters that would devour me. I lowered myself, gripping the edge and then dropping to the lower level.
Grit and dust covered the concrete floor, and when I switched on my flashlight, it revealed a dark tunnel with a curved ceiling. A few rats screeched and scurried into the shadows.
Shepherd sat down with his legs dangling, and when he tried to lower himself, he got stuck. After a few curse words, he slipped one arm through the hole and then hung suspended for a brief moment before he fell onto his back. Sweat glistened on his forehead, and he stared warily at the tiny eyes glowing in the darkness before scrambling to his feet.
“Don’t you need the tire iron?”
“Not from inside,” he said, glancing at our surroundings. “I don’t feel good about this tunnel situation.”
“It’s not so bad. A few drapes, a pretty vase…”
He ran his hand across his bristly hair. “You don’t need to tell me if anyone’s coming at us. I can usually feel the emotional spike. Sharpen your light and rely on your senses. If anyone approaches, use your night vision to see if they’re armed. Got it?”
“Where’s Wyatt? I thought you two always partnered up.”
“He’s probably with Christian. Wyatt doesn’t carry weapons. That’s not his job when we go on these assignments. He stays out of the action, so he needs the most protection.”
