The Vampire Agent by Patricia Rosemoor
Author:Patricia Rosemoor
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780345512666
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Published: 2008-12-30T00:00:00+00:00
Chapter 22
Pitch darkness.
Moving through solid earth, Danton saw nothing but felt everything: abject fear, his body scrape-sliding through dirt and pillowed bedrock, the burning pain of his muscles as he struggled to climb toward the surface and freedom while he pulled Rachel in tow.
Heâd transferred his power to Rachel by touch, and now they both had the ability to pass through solid matter, though he wondered if she was in shock since it felt like she was hanging limply behind him, much heavier than she should be.
Like a lifeguard pulling an unconscious swimmer toward shore, Danton continued to drag Rachel up a punishingly steep grade toward the surface. But the steeper the grade, the faster theyâd be free, so he struggledâstep by agonizing stepâterrified that heâd become disoriented, that his burning muscles would give out, or that he might lose focus and cause them to rematerialize under tons of earth.
A bolt of panic shot through him, nearly breaking his concentration. Had Rachel been injured? Was that why she wasnât moving?
He pushed away the fear. No, she was fine. After the ammunition boxes had detonated in the armory, theyâd fled the firestorm side by side. He couldnât recall any wounds on her body. No burns or blood or torn clothing.
âDo you trust me?â heâd said as a soldier rushed toward them, followed by a massive, roiling fireball.
âYes, Danton,â sheâd replied. âI trust you.â
And then heâd pulled her through the armory wall.
Rachel was fine, he told himself again, needing to believe it was true. In a strange way, he felt devoted to her even though they hardly knew each other. Sheâd inspired hope in him when all heâd felt had been despair since Rebeccaâs death. He hoped he could reciprocate the gesture in some way. Maybe help her get past the trauma of what sheâd endured at the hands of the military.
Danton continued to wade up through dirt and rock, carefully pulling his precious cargo and doing his best to ignore the gouging pain in his arms and legs. Suddenly, he felt the soil change consistencyâfrom dry, impacted earth to gummy, shifting silt.
His heart leaped. Louisiana topsoil! The last dozen feet were like slogging though tar, but he knew he was close to the surface now. And then the darkness smash-cut to blinding white light as he felt a humid, salty breeze rush across his face, and his full range of movement return.
Panting, Danton opened his eyes. He was in the employee parking lot outside Miescher Laboratories, hidden from the front gate by rows of cars and SUVs. Wiping the dirt from his clothes, he heard a soft moan. Rachel was beside him on her hands and knees. He clutched her arm lightly and helped her to her feet.
âAre you okay, Rachel?â he asked.
âYou did it,â she said softly, still shaken from the experience. âYour sister would be so proud, Danton.â
Danton couldnât help but smile as he regarded Rachelâs ratty hair and muddy scrubs. She was a mess but still utterly gorgeous. âWeâre free, but not out of danger.
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