Page 92 of Hunter

“Drone,” Willa guessed. “Yeah, that’s a stretch. I don’t know. This opening. It’s doesn’t feel like anyone made it, but I don’t think there’s anything in here.”

“Viktor. Can’t you help her?”

“Maybe this knife. Fucking Ilsbeth.” Willa stabbed it into the crevice.

“Fucking Ilsbeth is right. She gets us into this shit every single….” Hunter began.

“Wait…I hit something.” Willa tugged at the hilt. “It’s stuck.”

“Jesus, Vik. Would you help her? This is ridiculous.”

Willa yanked at the knife and it loosened. “No. Wait. I’ve got it. Just a little bit more…it’s coming.”

“At least someone is.” Viktor rolled his eyes.

“Get her down now. I don’t like this.”

Willa ignored them, her pulse racing as she slowly pulled the package toward her. The sound of the bag scraping against the rock spiked her anticipation. A beam of light shone onto the clear plastic, and she caught sight of the thick brown book, the edges of the cream-colored pages coming into view.

“It’s here! I’ve got it!” she yelled.

“See. Crisis averted.” Viktor laughed. “Here we go!”

Oh Goddess. Willa felt it before she saw it. It tickled over her forefinger, its skinny brown legs poking out of the darkness. Her chest seized in terror. She yanked the knife, tugging the book straight out of the crack, and her adrenaline surged.

“Spider!!!!” No, no. no . The insect launched off her hand onto her face. “Get it off of me! Get it off me!”

Willa screamed at the top of her lungs as it scampered over her cheek. Her heart caught in her throat, her grip inadvertently loosened around the hilt. As her heels tilted backwards, the book, with the blade still lodged inside it, slipped out of her hands toward the water.

“Help!” Willa’s stomach lurched as she sailed backwards.

“I’ve got Willa. You get the book,” Hunter called out to the vampire with his arms poised to catch her.

“Fuck me.” Giving a quick nod to Hunter, Viktor flashed away.

“I’ve got you!” Hunter yelled.

“Oh Goddess!” All the breath rushed out of her lungs as she landed safely within his arms. Her heart pumped a million miles per minute, her eyes fluttering open to meet his.

“You’re okay,” he told her, clutching her tight.

The sound of splashing across the cavern drew their attention.

“No, not the book,” she cried.

Sunlight flickered upon a fist as it punched through the dark water, holding the book. Viktor emerged, drenched. “Got it!”

“Oh, thank the Goddess.” Willa exhaled in relief.

“Jesus, Vik.”

“I know, I know. Don’t say it. I know. I’m amazing. A real God. Now can we get the fuck out of this hell hole? I’m over the bugs. And the heat. The fucking water.” He sniffed. “And I smell.”

“You got enough juice to get us back? Please tell me yes because I don’t think any of us wants to track back through all this water.” Hunter gently set Willa onto her feet.

“Yeah, sure. But you owe me. I nearly drowned getting this book. Get a good look. Superhero here.”

“I know we took the jet, but I’m thinking we should just flash back to my place,” the Alpha ignored his hyperbole. “It’ll be faster. I don’t want to waste time.”