darkness filled with fire and imminent death.
Michael grabbed her arm and held her upright. An ominous rumble ran through the darkness. Jasper hadn't finished with them yet.
'Go,' Michael shouted, and thrust her forward.
She ran, dodging falling dirt and stone, the flashlight's beam barely picking out the ground a foot away.
Dust filled the darkness, a thick cloud that tore at her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She had no idea where she was going. She just ran, staggering from side to side in rhythm to the earth's contortions.
Michael was at her back, his breathing labored. She didn't want him to die, and knew they all would if they didn't get out of this tunnel soon. The thought sent fresh energy though her legs.
'Swing left.'
Her foot slithered on the slick footing. She threw out an arm for balance and struggled to keep upright.
Hopefully, Michael had a far better sense of direction than she did. The falling debris made the darkness an alien world. It was difficult enough to breathe, let alone remember which tunnel was where.
Another explosion ripped across the darkness. Rocks rained down from the ceiling. She threw up her arms, trying to protect her head. Debris hit her, bruising her hands and shoulders. She stumbled, falling, and jarred her knee. Michael's arm went around her waist. With a grunt, he lifted her up and ran them all out of immediate danger.
After several minutes, he released her and pushed forward once more. 'Move, move,' he said.
His fear was tangible, filling the darkness. Not fear for him but for her. The knowledge lent her feet wings.
'Turn right now!'
She swung, dodging rubble, her breathing sharp and labored under the thickening cloud of dust.
'Watch it—' Michael's shout echoed as her instincts cut in. She twisted sideways, barely avoiding the foul gasp of a zombie. She slipped, and cursed, then twisted around and shone the light into the creature's eyes. It leapt at her anyway. She dodged and flicked her knife into her palm.
Michael grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
'Let me,' he said, and thrust Jake at her.
Jake's weight hit her, and she grunted, staggering backwards until she hit a wall. Rock dug sharply into her back and pain ran hot down her legs. She cursed but wrapped an arm around Jake's chest, holding him upright.
Another rumble ran through the darkness. She glanced upwards, wondering uneasily if Jasper's plans included bringing the entire mine down on top of them. Maybe it was just a neat extra.
A chill ran through her. Jasper was close, so very close. She sensed his evil, felt his gloating…
A figure loomed out of the darkness. Nikki swallowed, fingers clenched around the knife. Michael, not Jasper. Relief shot through her, its intensity shocking.
'Go,' he said, and took Jake from her.
The water grew deeper, inching back towards her chest. She remembered the snakes she'd encountered earlier. Real or not, it wasn't an experience she wanted to relive. She faltered, not certain what to do next.
Another explosion ripped across the darkness. The roof above her collapsed, and a rush of rubble and dirt swept her off her feet.
'Nikki!'
Michael's cry was cut off as she was swept under the water. Dirt and stone fell around her, encasing her, trapping her under the foul waters. Panic swelled. She kicked her legs, desperate to get free, to get back to the surface. Fire burned in her chest, and she fought the desire to breathe. More rocks fell, churning the water, confusing her senses. Pain exploded through her body, and the need to open her mouth, to suck in air, grew desperate.
She thrashed sideways as rock smashed against her shoulder, and her head hit something solid. Red fire spread through her brain. She gasped in agony, swallowing water, crying a denial as darkness engulfed her.
The frantic call pulled at her consciousness. She frowned, unable to move, unable to see, her body a motionless weight tying her down.
Golden light surrounded the stillness around her, freeing her from fear, filling her with peace and an intense need to be one with the light.
Gentle music washed across her senses. It flooded her cold body with warmth, releasing her from the dark weight of pain holding her captive. Suddenly free, her spirit rejoiced, dancing in radiance as she drifted towards the long golden tunnel.
Something in that urgent plea made her hesitate, and the call of the golden light muted. Yet she didn't have the strength to go back, didn't have the courage to face the fear and the pain. The honeyed light pulsed, welcoming her, calling…
The cry made her heart weep bitter tears. She wasn't worthy of the urgency in that entreaty, wasn't sure she was even capable of understanding it. And it was too late. Far too late. Dancing in brightness, she drifted closer to the light.
Did she? The question echoed through the soft warmth surrounding her. Did she want to live? Images of Michael ran through her mind. Oh yes, she wanted to live. But only with Michael. And that was an impossible dream.
It was too late anyway. The choice had gone.
No! Not as a vampire! Better death than a vampire.
Cold steel filled his thoughts. Do you trust me?
Trust was a flickering fire, so easily put out. So few people had earned its warmth after her parents' death. Only Jake, and he too was dying.
She closed her eyes against the pain in his entreaty. Michael didn't need her. He didn't need anyone.
Maybe that was half her problem. He could walk away, and it wouldn't matter to him.
But Jake had to live. He couldn't die because of her.
She spun in confusion, afraid to go forward and afraid to go back. The warm light pulsed, healing and calming. She sighed. Here at last was the peace she had searched so long for. It would be so easy to give in to its warmth. Easy, but was it right? She didn't know, and that scared her more than the thought of dying.
Something grabbed her soul and yanked her down into darkness. The golden light began to recede. She wept and reached out towards it, a desperate swimmer fighting the tide pulling her away. Her efforts were ignored. The light disappeared, and she was thrust through layers of darkness and gathering pain.
Then the red mist enclosed her brain and swept her away.
Chapter Sixteen
The harsh whisper ran through his mind. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the armchair. He didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, particularly Seline. Yet she was the one person who might understand. He sighed and silently acknowledged her probe.
