Page 368 of Scars of Fate

The girl took the card and entered the conduit.

I guided her through the darkness.

Ten feet.

Then twenty.

Left at the first junction.

Right at the second.

Minser’s voice echoed through the operative’s open radio.

He was shouting orders from his aircraft.

The armed man struck the wall between the primary chamber and the hostage alcove, searching for another way through.

Camille froze.

“He’s close.”

“Keep moving.”

“What if he hears me?”

“He’s angry. Angry men hear themselves before they hear anyone else.”

Lucas looked at me.

A faint smile touched his mouth.

Camille continued.

The Aegis lock showed nine minutes remaining.

Then eight.

She reached the final turn.

“I see a grate.”

“Remove it.”

“I can’t.”

“Push the lower corner.”

“It’s stuck.”

“Kick it.”

The sound echoed.

Once.

Twice.

The grate fell.