Marin swore under her breath as Thom tugged on her hand. Phelan slipped past them, heading toward the entrance to the steam tunnel. They hadn’t found a better place for the kids to take cover yet, and if Phelan had to guess, they probably wouldn’t anytime soon.
It’s only a matter of time before Thom finally manages to make Mar start taking cover down there, too. He glanced back over his shoulder at the pair and the look of relief on Thom’s face told him that the day that happened was coming sooner than Marin probably would like.
Seamus was already cracking the hatch that led down into the tunnels and Leinth had nearly reached him by the time Phelan, Thom, and Marin came within sight of the tunnel’s entrance. Breath caught in Phelan’s throat as he caught a glimpse of his cousin’s expression, the other man’s face pinched and pale, as if he was already anticipating the worst.
Phelan couldn’t blame him, considering what he’d been through. He would have probably felt the same way.
“Are they down there?” he called to Seamus. His cousin ignored him in favor of dropping down into the tunnel below. Phelan muttered a few choice words under his breath and picked up speed, leaving Thom and Marin behind as followed Seamus—and then Leinth—down into the darkness.
If she’s taken them, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.
He slid down the ladder, his boots echoing dully against the concrete below. He twisted, looking for Seamus and Leinth in the dim—and any signs of violence.
A lamp flared to life.
Phelan breathed a sigh of relief.
Cameron met his gaze, his brow furrowing, then looked at Seamus and Leinth, who were clearly as relieved as Phelan was.
“Shouldn’t you be out there dealing with whatever was out in the ravine?” he asked, voice puzzled.
“Right now, nothing is more important than making sure you were all right,” Leinth said, her voice strangely tender—something Phelan could honestly say he’d never heard before.
Leinth wrapped her arms around Cameron then and hugged him tightly—leaving him looking as surprised as Phelan felt.
Phelan looked back at Marin and Thom, who’d just climbed down the ladder.
Thom frowned. “If she’s not down here and they’re safe, where the hell is she?”
“I don’t know,” Phelan said, feeling sick.
And that scares the daylights out of me.
