Extant

by Mary M Wallace

  She took the knife from the woman’s lifeless fingers and ran over to where Zoe was struggling, trying to get to her feet with her hands tied behind her. When Bree reached her and put a hand on her arm, Zoe’s struggles intensified until Bree called her name.

  “It’s me, Zoe,” she said. “Hold still.” She sliced through the ropes binding Zoe’s wrists and helped her to sit up. She saw a blur of movement from the corner of her eye and threw the knife. It lodged into the throat of a man who’d been coming toward them. She turned back to Zoe, checking her for injuries. Seeing none, she scrambled over to the fallen man, pulling the knife from his neck and wiping it on his clothes.

  “We need to get out of here,” she told Zoe as she searched the dead man for weapons and ammo. She found a pistol and checked the magazine, finding it nearly full. She found another magazine in the man’s pocket and shoved it into her back pocket. Looking back at Zoe, she realized that the other woman was staring at her as though she were a stranger. Bree knew that all this must be overwhelming and confusing, but they didn’t have time for this. They needed to move. She put her face directly in front of Zoe’s.

  “Listen to me,” she said in a stern voice. “I know this is scary and I promise I’ll explain it all later, but we don’t have time to freak out right now. We have to get out of here, Zoe.” She gave her shoulders a small shake. “You with me?”

  Zoe seemed to come back to herself and she nodded. “I’m with you,” she said. “Let’s go.”

  Bree nodded. “Stella?” she said in a slightly louder voice. “You still with me?”

  Stella’s voice, when it came was closer than Bree had expected. “Right here,” she said. “We need to move. Now.”

  Bree agreed. “Stay close to me and stay low,” she said to Zoe as she moved toward a large piece of machinery. Zoe followed close on her heels. Stella was still using her ability, but Bree trusted her to be safe. She wasn’t sure where Paul had gone. He’d been behind her earlier, but she didn’t see him when she scanned the dark room. The sounds of shooting were getting closer, but Bree couldn’t see anyone nearby. The loud rumble of an explosion came from some other part of the building and Bree shuddered. She hoped her team was okay. Just as she had the thought that maybe they could make a run for the exit, a bullet pinged off the metal structure before her. She turned and pulled Zoe behind herself, returning fire in the direction the bullet had come from. She saw no one, but as they ducked behind the piece of equipment, two more bullets hit near them.

  “Stella,” she said in a low voice. “I could use some help.”

  “I’m on it,” came the reply from beside her.

  Bree looked around, trying to determine if there was anyone else in the room. She couldn’t tell, but she knew that staying here was a terrible idea. Every minute they wasted meant there would be more time for more of Ephraim’s soldiers to show up. She didn’t know where the rest of the team was, and she wasn’t sure if they knew her location. Stella had been charged with keeping tabs on Bree’s location and reporting back to the rest of the team, as well as keeping her safe. Rowan had said to think of Stella as her invisible body guard.

  Bree had to hope everything was going according to plan. She didn’t know how many soldiers Ephraim had here or their locations. There could be a dozen more heading to this room right now. Leaning her back against the metal structure, she checked her weapon. She had six rounds left and a full magazine in her pocket. Eighteen rounds. That was more than enough if she could see what she was aiming at, but not nearly enough if she continued to shoot blindly in this dark room.

  She looked over at Zoe who was watching her, a look of disbelief on her face. She smiled at her.

  “We’re going to be fine,” she told her in a voice that she hoped was reassuring.

  She duckwalked the length of the hulking machine. When she reached the other end, she peeked her head out briefly, quickly drawing back when bullets pinged off the metal an inch from her head. She took a deep breath and glanced back to Zoe.

  “That was close,” she said with another smile. Shit! What was taking Stella so long? She should have already taken out the shooter.

  “Um,” Zoe said in a hesitant voice. “I know this probably isn’t the best time, but did I just hear you talking to someone who wasn’t there?”

  Bree winced, but she knew she’d have to tell Zoe something. She decided to go with the truth. Mostly. “That’s Stella,” she said. “She’s on our side.”

  Zoe looked around them and then back to Bree. “And why can’t I see her?”

  Bree’s eyes continued to scan the room, looking for anyone who might be sneaking up on the two of them.

  “Well, that’s a little tricky to explain. Just trust me.”

  A bullet pinged off the metal behind her and the two of them ducked. Where the hell was Stella? Bree was starting to feel a hint of worry now. Just as she was about to risk peeking over the top of their makeshift shield, she heard the scuff of a boot on the concrete behind her. She whirled around, her gun taking aim. When she saw who it was, she lowered her weapon with a relieved sigh.

  “Paul,” she said. “I almost shot you.”

  Paul’s smile was bright in the dim light as he pulled Zoe to him in a hug.

  “Worth the risk,” he said.

  Bree shook her head and turned her attention back to the other side of the room where the bullets seemed to have stopped. She cautiously peeked her head around the side of the machine, her nerves tight with dread. When no bullets came this time, she let out a little sigh of relief. Stella must have gotten to the shooter.

  Bree surveyed the room, trying to plan their escape. There was a large boxy piece of equipment about fifteen feet away. It was slightly closer to the door she’d entered through. If they could make it there, they’d have better cover and be closer to the exit. She couldn’t be sure if Stella had taken out the first shooter and she had no idea if there were more hidden somewhere in the massive room. She hadn’t heard any more shots coming from that direction, but that was no guarantee. She was starting to grow worried about Stella. She should have returned by now. She looked around some more but didn’t see anything else that could help them. It was a risk, but she thought it was their best chance. The sound of gunfire in the distance had grown more sporadic. Maybe the fight was coming to an end.

  Bree looked at Paul. “Do you have a weapon?”

  He held up a rifle. “Not many rounds left.”

  Bree nodded. It would have to do.

  “Listen,” she said in a low voice. She pointed. “See that big thing over there? Looks like a big metal box?” Zoe looked to where she was pointing, eyes wide and nodded. “When I tell you, I want you both to run like hell to it and get behind it. Stay low and be fast. Got it?”

  Zoe looked uneasy at the idea. “What are you going to do?” she asked.

  “I’m going to make sure you make it,” she said. “Just be ready when I tell you, okay? And stay next to Paul.” Zoe took a breath and nodded.

  Paul gave her a questioning look. “You sure about this?”

  “Just keep her next to you,” she said. “Don’t let her leave your side. Got it?” He sighed and nodded.

  Bree thought about the rest of her team and again wondered where they were. She closed her eyes briefly, wishing they’d show up but knowing it was useless. She gritted her teeth and steeled herself.

  “Get ready,” she told Zoe. “When I tell you to, you run. Don’t look back and don’t stop until you get there. Got it?” Zoe nodded.

  Paul tucked her close to his side and they prepared to run. Bree exchanged her partial magazine for the full one and made sure the gun was ready to fire. She heard more gunfire in the distance, but it sounded closer than before. She looked at Zoe, a question in her eyes. Zoe nodded. She was ready.

  Bree felt sure that Paul’s ability would protect him and Zoe. She had no doubt that he would do everything in his power to keep Zoe safe. Bree took a deep breath and signaled Paul an
d Zoe to run. As soon as they were in the open, she followed them out from the safety of the metal machine, keeping low. Her eyes scanned the darkened corners of the room, searching for threats. When she saw that Zoe and Paul had made it to safety, she picked up her own pace. Ten feet to go. Move faster. Five feet. Almost there. She saw a flash of light and immediately felt a white-hot poker of pain slice through her right upper arm. She faltered for a moment, but quickly shifted the gun to her left hand, aiming at the place she’d seen the muzzle flash. The flash came again just as Bree was knocked down by Zoe. They rolled together, Bree coming up on top. She moved away from Zoe and immediately fired four bullets at the place she’d last seen the muzzle flash. She knew as the bullets left the gun that they would hit their target. The silence following her last shot confirmed it.

  Bree felt the pain in her right shoulder and another, more urgent pain in her stomach, but she ignored it. They weren’t that bad. She turned back to look at Zoe who was sitting up, clutching her side. Paul knelt next to her, a look of worry on his face. Bree’s eyes widened when she saw the dark blood oozing between Zoe’s fingers. No! She moved to go to her and felt her legs give out. Bree collapsed onto her hands and knees with a gasp. The gun fell useless to the floor. The pain in her own stomach was a fiery agony and she pressed her hand there, shocked when it came away wet with blood. She tried again to get to Zoe, but her vision was growing dark at the edges and she was feeling dizzy. She managed to crawl closer, but the effort exhausted her.

  “Bree,” Zoe’s voice sounded like it was coming from far away. “Bree, talk to me,” her voice was urgent, almost frantic. Paul’s look of concern heightened as he looked from Zoe to Bree. Bree wanted to respond to Zoe, but she could only manage a small grunt that turned into a moan of pain. She turned her head to face them but the blackness at the edges of her vision had taken over and she could barely make out Zoe’s blonde hair. Bree’s last thought before the blackness claimed her was that she was glad Declan wouldn’t have to watch her die.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Corbin watched as Sawyer deftly took out two of Ephraim’s soldiers before either of them realized she was there. He managed to hide a smile. Seeing her in action had always amazed him, though he’d never told her as much. He followed her down the wide hallway, stopping with her as they approached an entryway to a large room. He heard Declan’s voice in his ear.

  “Anyone got eyes on Bree?”

  Corbin didn’t envy Declan on this mission. No one had wanted to send Bree in unarmed, but he couldn’t imagine being in Declan’s place. Having to send the woman you love into a situation where you knew she’d be surrounded by people who wanted her dead? It was probably torture. Corbin glanced at Sawyer again before he spoke into his radio.

  “Negative, Dec,” he said in a low voice.

  Sawyer looked his way and held up 2 fingers then pointed to the doorway. He nodded his understanding. She pointed at herself and back to the room, then pointed to his gun, her own eyes and back to the room. She was going in and wanted him to cover her. Corbin knew she could handle herself against two, but it didn’t mean he liked the idea of her putting herself in harm’s way. Still, he gritted his teeth and nodded. She held up 3 fingers and counted them down. When the last finger lowered, she became a blur of movement. He waited until she’d made it inside the room before he took aim at one of the men. He fired two rounds, quickly killing him. Sawyer had taken out the other one in the time it had taken Corbin to take aim and fire. He felt his mouth quirk into a smile and he shook his head as she turned back to him, a look of pride on her face.

  “Show off,” he muttered as he followed her into the room.

  Sawyer turned and gave him a cocky smile. “Jealous?” she asked.

  “Not a chance,” he said, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

  He didn’t see anyone nearby. The room was cast in shadows and he could see several large pieces of forgotten equipment scattered throughout it. Sawyer moved slowly among them and he followed close on her heels. They could hear muffled gunfire coming from somewhere ahead of them and they picked up the pace. He thought again of Bree somewhere in this building, unarmed. They needed to get to her as soon as possible. Stella was with her, and hopefully so was Paul. Corbin didn’t know how much they should trust Paul. He didn’t know the man and he hoped Bree was right in her assessment of him.

  Without warning, Sawyer spun around and flew at him, knocking him backward. Surprised, he wrapped his arms around her instinctively. A split second later, the room was rocked with an explosion. Corbin turned, putting himself between Sawyer and any debris that might come their way, curving his shoulders over her protectively. When the dust settled, his ears were ringing, and they were both covered with dirt and small bits of concrete. He took a mental assessment and found that he wasn’t injured. He was still holding Sawyer against his chest and he realized that he was probably holding her too tightly. He hadn’t been thinking. He’d simply crushed her to him. He quickly loosened his hold on her, pushing her back from him, hands on her upper arms.

  “Sawyer!” he said quickly, looking her up and down. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” He ran his hands up and down her arms and bent to look in her eyes.

  She shook her head and gave him a quick smile. She took a deep breath. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice a little shaky. Corbin studied her for another moment, making sure she was unharmed.

  “Really,” she said as though she’d read his mind. “You didn’t hurt me.”

  Her voice was soft, but he heard it clearly, even through the ringing caused by the explosion. Corbin felt his worry ease as he looked at her. She was okay. He hadn’t hurt her with his ability. They were both okay. He sighed in relief. His hands were still on her upper arms. He reached one hand up to her cheek, his thumb stroking gently. There was a single moment of stillness as they gazed at one another. Then his mouth was on hers and her arms were locked around his neck.

  Sawyer was less shocked by the kiss than by how much she enjoyed it. The feel of Corbin’s lips on hers, his arms around her, her body pressed fully against him—it all combined to create a sensation she’d never experienced with anyone else. Her lips moved with his and she felt as though she would never get enough of him. Something inside her tightened and she had the insane realization that she was kissing Corbin. Corbin was kissing her. She realized that her fingers were gripping his hair and she loosened them. This was crazy. They were in the middle of a mission. They needed to find Bree and Zoe and get out of here. She jerked away from his arms, breathless and shocked and already wanting to kiss him again. When had this happened, she wondered as she looked at him. His breathing was faster than normal and there was an odd look in his eyes as he gazed at her. She didn’t know what to say. She had an insane urge to laugh but managed to force it back. She shook her head.

  “Okay,” she said in a breathy voice. She cleared her throat and looked away from Corbin before she did something stupid like kiss him again. She blew out a shaky breath.

  “Let’s go,” she said.

  She turned back in the direction they’d been walking, taking another deep breath to try and clear her head. She was still reeling from Corbin’s kiss and her brain felt like mush. As she took the lead, she allowed herself a little smile that she knew he couldn’t see.

  The two of them carefully navigated around the new rubble from the explosion. Sawyer was more aware of her surroundings now that they’d nearly been blown up. She watched each step as she placed it, checking for trip wires or pressure plates. The gunfire sounded like it was coming from multiple locations now. That made sense as they’d split into two and three-person teams to infiltrate the building. The sheer size of the place had required that they split up to launch any kind of efficient search. She hoped her people were all safe. She worried about Bree. She’d promised to keep her safe the night they’d met and tonight she’d thrown her helpless to the wolves. She did her best to shove aside the worry as she’d always done so she
could focus on the mission. Everyone knew their jobs and she had to hope they’d all be successful.

  The gunfire from up ahead had become more sporadic. There were several seconds between shots and Sawyer thought she understood.

  “Someone’s pinned down,” she said to Corbin.

  They held their guns at the ready as they moved closer to the firing. When they reached the other side of the room, they found a wide doorway that led into another large room. The place was like a maze, especially in the dark. Sawyer tried to remember where they were in correlation with Rowan’s floorplans, but it wasn’t easy.

  The gunshots were clearer now. Sawyer and Corbin stayed just outside the large entryway, studying the interior of the room. Neither of them could see where the gunfire was coming from. The sounds of bullets ricocheting off metal confirmed that they weren’t hitting their intended targets. Sawyer bent low and tried to see something that would tell her where the shooting was coming from. Nothing. She looked at Corbin and shrugged. He answered her with a shake of his own head. He couldn’t see anyone either.

  Corbin leaned down and put his mouth close to Sawyer’s ear, speaking in a low voice. “I say we go in, stay close to the wall, move slow. Whoever’s in there is preoccupied. We can see them before they see us.” Sawyer nodded her agreement. It wasn’t the best plan she’d ever heard, but it also wasn’t the worst. They moved into the room together.

  Corbin entered first, Sawyer close behind him. Their eyes scanned the dark room as they walked slowly, keeping close to the wall. The room was large, making it difficult to see the other side, but their eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the building as much as they were going to at this point. They moved as quickly as they dared, letting the sound of bullets firing be their guide. They came to a large piece of machinery about three feet high that was close to the wall and Corbin ducked low behind it. Sawyer followed his lead, looking to him for information.