Chapter Fifty-Two
“I brOUGHT DEER JERKY.”
Yellow shadows bounce across the mouth of the cave, four candles set in wall sconces emitting a glow throughout the opening. The clay walls roll like waves. Unlike my last cave adventure, I won’t let the walls cave in on me—metaphorically, at least.
Sawyer stands before me, his burly body glistening with sweat.
“ ’Bout time you showed up ’round here.” He shares a toothless smile with me. I must make a worried face, because he says, “I know what yer thinkin’”—he points to his mouth—“and never you mind. Two missin’ chompers won’t stop me from eatin’ that jerky.”
I shrug and offer up the jerky. Hunks of meat jam themselves into the gap in his teeth. The salty, meaty, rich smell penetrates the space. “Where’s Anika? I thought she’d be here.”
“Doin’ her final run-through. Makin’ sure nothin’ will cave in on you, I suppose.”
“Oh. Right.”
“Ha! I’m just fuckin’ with ya. The tunnel’s as solid as can be.”
“How solid is can be?”
Before he has a chance to answer, Jasper turns the corner. His rugged face is dirty and unshaven, his eyes wide with worry.
I haven’t seen him since I woke up tangled in his sheets this morning, which feels like eons ago. At the crack of dawn, I bolted out of bed. It felt like there was a pit of snakes wriggling around in my stomach. I couldn’t bear hearing Good luck! or You’ll do great! or Go get ’em, tiger!
From the look on his face, he’s not pleased that I left without saying anything to him.
Sawyer strides forward and slaps his hand into Jasper’s. “Good to see you again, man!” Sawyer’s large back blocks my vision, and the walls start to close in.
Not this again.
There are too many people in this small space—not enough air.
Anika steps through the tunnel door.
Oh, god, not another body.
“Gentlemen,” she says. “Might we move this conversation outside? It’s a lovely day, and I’m sure Kota could use one last brush of sunlight on her skin.”
One last brush.
“She’ll come out on the other side.” Jasper takes my hand.
Anika’s gaze flicks toward us. “Interesting,” she says, raising her eyebrows. “Up we go, then.”
Jasper squeezes my hand as we traipse outside.
I squint as the bright day comes into view.
Anika pulls a rolled-up paper out of her back pocket and turns back to me.
“Your route is self-explanatory, but we drew it up in any case. The only way out is through. The tunnel leads to the rectory basement.” Anika loads me up with a gun, flashlight, digital watch, and a knife with the sharpest blade I’ve ever seen.
“Your travel time should be half an hour. Once you reach the other side, free our men, Garrett and Eagan. Send them through the tunnel with your sister—when you find her.” No worries there.
She’ll be where she always is: in the Sick Room.
“Then, you will find Chandler. And you will kill her.”
“No pressure,” I say. “None at all.”
“This is a high-pressure situation, Kota.” Anika narrows her eyes. “One I suggest you take seriously.”
I nod. “I’m taking it seriously. I promise.”
“Good,” she says. She grabs my wrist and holds the watch up to her face. “It’s time.”
My stomach somersaults. It may be time, but I am not ready. Not ready at all.
“I’m ready.”