Page 444 of Hidden Depths

Ross fired from the darkness.

The bullet struck the stone above Storm’s head.

I pulled her behind the staircase.

Ben fired toward the passage.

“Ross is moving!”

“I’ll take him,” I said.

Storm grabbed my arm.

“You need me.”

“I need you alive.”

“You need me to finish the sequence.”

“Finish it here.”

“What if there are controls below?”

“I’ll handle them.”

“You don’t know what Grandpa taught us.”

“No.”

I cupped the back of her neck.

“But I know Ross is drawing us into that tunnel because he wants you.”

Her eyes held mine.

“Then don’t let him take me.”

It wasn’t permission.

It wasn’t a plea.

It was trust.

Complete and terrifying.

I released her.

“You stay behind me.”

“I will.”

Ben glanced at Calle.

“You stay here.”

Calle lifted one eyebrow.

Ben’s jaw tightened.