Renny reached the floe, too—but not unscathed. A dark trail of blood flowed in his sled’s wake. The men sped up to Kowalski. Mitchell’s face was a mask of pain and fear. His left leg hung crookedly, nearly torn in half by a strike to his calf.
There was no time for aid.
They all continued at top speed under the berg. When they reached the far side, a distant blast echoed through the water, marking the explosion of the other ordnance packs.
Kowalski could not savor this success, not with the blood trailing them.
Two minutes later, they reached the winch line and abandoned their tanks. Kowalski sent Renny up first, with Mitchell hugging around his partner’s neck. As Kowalski waited, staring up, blood spattered down. He expected Mitchell to lose his weakening grip, but the man kept hold. The two vanished over the edge.
Kowalski followed next. Once topside, he found Monk securing a tourniquet on Mitchell’s leg. Any additional care would have to wait. Most of the team had already boarded the plane. The Baikal’s engine was idling.
Once Monk was finished, the last of the group hurried to board.
Renny and Kowalski carried Mitchell between them.
Captain Kelly greeted them inside, his face dark and grim. “Well done. You’ve bought us some breathing room back there.”
Kowalski glanced over a shoulder, hoping that was true. He turned back around as Monk taxied for a liftoff. As Kowalski stared dully, he wondered what awaited them ahead.
He had no way of knowing, but he was certain of one thing. Despite Kelly’s words, they had better keep holding their breaths.
Because this isn’t over.
45
May 14, 4:55P.M. ANAT
East Siberian Sea
Elle followed the rest of the group down the tunnel behind the frozen waterfall. She was the last in line. She glanced back at the exit, where the two giant thrones flanked the ice wall—one carved with sea life, the other with a riotous garden.
But her thoughts were on another.
She had hated to abandon Tucker. Marco, too. Earlier, as she was leaving, the young shepherd had taken a few steps toward her, as if preparing to follow despite whatever spooked him. He only stopped when Tucker had whistled Marco back to his side.
Still, Elle knew she had to continue on. She pictured the state of the bodies in the tent. Whatever lay hidden here would most likely need her expertise.
Knowing that, she hurried forward and followed the bobbing lights of the others. After the chill of the icy waterfall, the warmth of the passageway was welcome—if not the smell.
The sulfurous taint to the air grew heavier.
She pushed through it, tasting it on her tongue.
Ahead, the tunnel delved steeply, heading deeper underground.
“Everybody stick together,” Gray called out. “Close up our ranks.”
Elle joined the two from thePolar King, Omryn and Harper.
Ahead, Anna and Jason followed Gray and Seichan.
Lights swept along the walls, illuminating carvings etched full around. It was quickly evident that the same motif found on the giant thrones continued along this passageway. To the left, the surface swam with images of sea creatures. To the right, a dense garden climbed with thorny vines and drooping flowers.
“What does this all mean?” Anna whispered, searching around.
Jason drew to a sudden stop, turning to one side. “Don’t know. But look at this totem.” He bent closer. “It’s set off in its own niche. As if significant.”
They all gathered to him. Inside the cubby, a sculpture depicted a beautifully rendered whale. Its eyes looked ancient, almost mournful.
