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\u2019t found a better place for the kids to take cover yet, and if Phelan had to guess, they probably wouldn\u2019t anytime soon.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s only a matter of time before Thom finally manages to make Mar start taking cover down there, too.<\/em> He glanced back over his shoulder at the pair and the look of relief on Thom\u2019s face told him that the day that<\/em> happened was coming sooner than Marin probably would like.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s entrance. Breath caught in Phelan\u2019s throat as he caught a glimpse of his cousin\u2019s expression, the other man\u2019s face pinched and pale, as if he was already anticipating the worst.<\/p>\n Phelan couldn\u2019t blame him, considering what he\u2019d been through. He would have probably felt the same way.<\/p>\n \u201cAre they down there?\u201d 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\u2014and then Leinth\u2014down into the darkness.<\/p>\n If she\u2019s taken them, I\u2019ll never be able to forgive myself.<\/em><\/p>\n He slid down the ladder, his boots echoing dully against the concrete below. He twisted, looking for Seamus and Leinth in the dim\u2014and any signs of violence.<\/p>\n A lamp flared to life.<\/p>\n Phelan breathed a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n Cameron met his gaze, his brow furrowing, then looked at Seamus and Leinth, who were clearly as relieved as Phelan was.<\/p>\n \u201cShouldn\u2019t you be out there dealing with whatever was out in the ravine?\u201d he asked, voice puzzled.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, nothing is more important than making sure you were all right,\u201d Leinth said, her voice strangely tender\u2014something Phelan could honestly say he\u2019d never heard before.<\/p>\n Leinth wrapped her arms around Cameron then and hugged him tightly\u2014leaving him looking as surprised as Phelan felt.<\/p>\n Phelan looked back at Marin and Thom, who\u2019d just climbed down the ladder.<\/p>\n Thom frowned. \u201cIf she\u2019s not down here and they\u2019re safe, where the hell is she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Phelan said, feeling sick.<\/p>\n And that scares the daylights out of me.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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\u2019t found a better place for the kids to take cover yet, and if Phelan had … Continue reading