Page 189 of Aviatrix

“Run, Quay!” Eli shouts as the walls rumble again.

I leap forward and sprint.

The heat doesn’t catch us, but the vibrations do. They’re deeper and more violent than anything I felt at Langdon.

The tunnel is dark and damp, our footsteps echo wildly as we race toward a pinprick of light.

Eli finds my hand. Our fingers lock.

“Almost there,” he says, breathless but unshaken.

That’s all I need.

I run faster.

And faster.

And faster.

We run for what feels like forever, boots skidding across concrete as a propped-open door spilling sunlight into the corridor finally comes into view.

Another rumble shakes the walls, louder now that we’re close to the exit.

My throat is raw. My mouth dry. My body on the verge of collapse.

I need VAL. I need her now.

I don’t even know how we’ll steal a vehicle or get out of here.

Everything hurts.

Gary.

What do I even say to Scooter? I’m not ready to tell him that his father sacrificed himself—for us.

Just as we reach the door, Eli grabs my arm and yanks me into a shadowed alcove.

I open my mouth to ask what’s going on, but he presses a firm finger to my lips.

Then I hear it. Voices.

Not Lark. Not Sasha or Amber.

A woman’s. Familiar.

My eyes go wide when I hear what she says. “You’ve condemned them all to death, Mr. President. I thought you’d be happy.”

“I am happy,” Rourke replies. My heart thuds violently. “But what if we killed the key?”

The key? What the hell is the key?

“Captain Kinley Quay isn’t the only one with flight clearance,” the woman retorts. “Thea Alvarez is the youngest certified flyer in our program. She’s tested well. She’s the perfect alternative.”

Their footsteps draw closer. I feel Eli tense beside me, his muscles locked tight.

“If this screws up our plans, Madam Secretary,” Rourke growls, “I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your head. You hear me, Jan?”

My heart hammers. They’re right there.