Page 207 of Silent Target

“You don’t have to.”

“Yes, I do.”

A tremor strikes.

The shaft jerks sideways.

“Down!”

I turn and cover Evie as rocks tear through the support beams.

A slab of stone crashes into the passage ahead.

Dust consumes us.

For several seconds, I can’t see my own hands.

“Sound off,” Rook calls.

One by one, everyone answers.

Evie coughs beneath me. “I’m okay.”

I sit back and touch her face.

Her forehead.

Her neck.

Her shoulders.

She catches my hand.

“I’m still here.”

The words pass through every defense I have left.

I press my forehead briefly against hers.

“Stay that way.”

The dust begins to clear.

A wall of broken stone divides the shaft.

Mac stands on the far side.

Alone.

“Mac!” Rook moves toward the unstable opening.

Rocks fall between them.

Mac raises one hand.

“Stop.”

“We can get through.”