"Tell your men to drop their weapons," he snarled. "Those on the second floor—toss your arms down the steps." To show he meant business, he let the glass slice deeper, releasing blood.
"For God's sake, do as he says!" Kingsley cried.
Weapons rained to the floor. Morgan rolled to Magnus' fallen knife, freeing himself in an instant. He grabbed a pair of pistols. "On the floor, hands behind your back," he ordered. Once he had the guards subdued, he strode to Percy and cut through her bonds. Without a word, she scooped up weapons and ran over to Gavin.
"Here you go," she said.
Their gazes held.So much I want to say to you.Soon, love.
He took the pistol from her, kept it trained on Kingsley as he addressed the man responsible for his suffering. "Game's finished, Magnus," he said. "We have the place surrounded. Put down that lamp, and I'll let you live."
A crazed look came into Magnus' eyes. "I'll take the other option." And he threw the lamp toward Gavin's feet.
Glass smashed. A roar filled the room, sucking the air from it. Gavin yelled out Percy's name the instant an explosion rocked the room. The force hurtled him backward into the air. The ground fell free beneath him, and he slammed into darkness.
39
Pulse racing,Percy stumbled through the black haze, coughing as thick smoke choked her lungs. The whole place was ablaze—she couldn't see past the wall of flames rising higher and higher. "Gavin, where are you?" she shouted.
"Percy?"
Her head whipped around at the faint sound of her name. Where had it come from? Then she saw it: a crater in the floor. Rushing over, she peered over the smoldering edge. "Thank goodness," she cried, spying Gavin sprawled on the floor below. "I'll be right there."
"No! Don't come down—"
Ignoring him, she lowered herself over the edge, a pile of splintered wood breaking her landing. She scrambled to him. "We've got to get out of here."
He shook his head. "Can't. I'm trapped."
'Twas then that she saw the toppled pillar pinning his left leg. Dashing over, she pushed at the wood beam. It didn't budge. Cursing, she tried harder, shoving with all her might.
"Percy, there's no time. Look at me." The urgency in his voice made her obey. His eyes glittered in his soot-streaked face. "I want you to go.Now."
"I'm not leaving you." Perspiration bloomed on her forehead as she shouted, "Help! Can anyone hear me? We're down here in the basement!"
"It's no use. The building could blow at any minute," he bit out. "You have to run."
"Not without you." She scanned the room for anything she could use as a lever. Perhaps the fire iron...
"I love you, Percy," he said in guttural tones.
The stark certainty in his eyes made her heart beat faster, if possible. The man had dashed bad timing. "I love you, too," she said. "Now we have to find a way—"
His hand cupped her cheek. "If you love me, do as I say. I've never begged anyone for anything, but I'm begging you—leave me," he rasped. "Let me die in peace, knowing you are safe."
"No," she said, tears clouding her eyes.
"Percy! Where are you?"
She jumped up in relief. "Nick!" she shouted. "Over here by the stairs! Be careful—there's a hole in the floor."
Seconds later, Nick's soot-covered face appeared over the edge. "Hold on, I'm coming down." He landed on his feet and swiftly assessed the situation. "I'm going to lift the pillar as much as I can. Percy, you pull Hunt free. On the count of three."
Percy positioned herself next to Gavin's trapped leg as Nick gripped the wood beam on the opposite side.
"One... two...three." Nick's powerful shoulders flexed. Sweat dripped down his face as he strained to move the heavy wood. The beam inched upward... Gavin used his good leg to shove away, Percy helping to drag his injured limb free. An instant later, the pillar crashed to the ground again.
Percy threw her arms around Gavin's neck. "Are you alright?" she cried.
