“I can scent their fear,” Alexis murmurs.
“So fucking heartbreaking.” Theo’s voice cracks.
The little girl on my hip clings to my tactical vest, her tiny fingers tangling in the heavy fabric.
“But they will live, Pulu.”
Only if we get them out of here. My minotaur growls, issuing a warning.We must move. Turn around now.
I don’t question the instinct, but follow it. Yes, there is another way out.
Service elevator.
—Incoming— The thoughts of the hellhound are muffled but understandable —Door opened…hear footsteps…—
—Nymph, we take children to service elevator—
Suddenly, a growling noise erupts, along with a scream that is cut off abruptly.
—Move—
We reach the lift shaft just as the heavy industrial doors slide open. Two guards burst through but don't even have time to raise their rifles. Maximus is a streak of black shadow, hitting the first one mid-chest.
The dragon takes the second with a silenced shot from his pistol.
Before we can enter, the lift doors silently slide shut.
“Vittu!” Feniks jams the key card into the slot, but the reader glows red. No access with this pass.
I hand the baby girl to Theo.
She tucks the child against her side, while still holding the hand of the older boy. My shoulders begin to broaden, the fabric of the stolen uniform straining. I don't go for a full shift but I let the strength of the bull flow into my arms.
Then jam my claws into the door seam and pull. The metal groans, the hydraulic locks snap and then the doors open with a jagged screech.
“Get in, hurry,” Theo says, gathering the children around her, they huddle in the corner. The professor opens the ceiling service hatch and pulls himself up, the dragon follows. I can see him kneeling in the dark, gun poised.
The hound squeezes his massive body inside then Theo presses the button.
—Coming up the service entrance, Dono, be ready—
—I’m so ready, Tee-Tee—
With a jolt, the lift starts moving. I cannot believe getting out of here will be this simple.
As if on cue, alarms begin to wail—a piercing, high-pitched shriek that makes everyone tense.
The lift car shudders to a halt. Between floors.
“Pass them up to me,” Drakeward shouts. “We’re basically at the surface, and can get out through the shaft.”
The hellhound returns to his human form as I boost the first of the children through the elevator service hatch. The dragon and Feniks pull up the children. The tall, long-haired boy is last. He waited to make sure the others were safe first.
I pick him up and our eyes meet.
You did well, little warrior.
I help him and Theo into the shaft. “Now we have to climb, kids, then we’ll be out of here,” I hear her say. “Shit.”
