Where are you?His voice filtered through her thoughts like the softest of whispers.
Cavern for the peace talks.Despair weighed down her shoulders. They couldn’t possibly get to her in time, even if any of the Realm helicopters had survived the attack.Is everyone okay?
Battered and bruised. Headquarters is just a crater. I’m coming to get you.
Tears filled her eyes.There isn’t time. I love you, Zane. Always.
Suri frowned. “Get the goddamn book, or I’m taking that baby myself.”
Janie turned her coldest gaze on him. “You will die, and I’ll be there.” She turned back to the crazily spinning book. The cavern’s protective spells wouldn’t remain in place for long.
She stepped toward the book, and the cover opened, its pages fluttering in a nonexistent breeze.
Creepy.
Drawing on strength, trying to remember her lessons with Moira and Brenna, she chanted in a language even she didn’t understand.
The book snapped closed.
Rumbles shook the earth, and a schism wound along the floor. Janie shoved herself away from the split, her gaze wildly rushing to the lift.
“Not a chance,” Suri said. “The book. Now.”
If she gave him the book, he’d leave her underground. Every instinct she had yelled at her to stop him. Maybe with the book?
“You can’t read the passages without me,” she said slowly.
“I don’t need the passages. I just need the book,” he returned, his eyes gleaming as his gaze alighted on the now still book. “Get it, or I promise pain you can’t even imagine.”
Her imagination was excellent. She rubbed her belly and took a step closer to the book. Warmth brushed her face and wandered down her front. A pure warmth.
She couldn’t let Suri have the power of the book.
Heat rushed through the cavern, and the earth quaked. Another fissure ripped along the floor. Janie fell down. Kalin jumped to her right.
Agony rippled along her abdomen.
Gasping, she shoved herself to stand. Another pain hit her, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.
The air shimmered. Oxygen split in two, and Zane Kyllwood heaved himself through space and time to land hard on the stone floor. He rolled at the last second to avoid the fissure.
Blood coated the earth.
He stood, pale and gasping, raw fury darkening his face across the cavern. “Let her go, Suri.”
Suri snarled. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
“Not even close.” Zane rose to his full height, his chin lowering. Red matted his vest. “Stop hiding behind my woman, and let’s finish this.”
Janie eyed the book. Only pure stubborn will was even keeping Zane upright. She had to do something.
Suri glanced from Zane to Janie. “If she gets me the book, I’ll let you both go.”
“Bullshit.” Zane didn’t even look her way. “Stop being a coward.”
Suri frowned. “You know, I have a better idea. How about I kill her, and you watch?” Silver flashed, and a Degoller Star filled his palm. He flexed his hand and threw.
“No!” Zane yelled, leaping across the cavern.
