Page 154 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

As the enemy come through the western tree line, the ground explodes under them.

Dirt and debris blast upward. Bodies go with it and only parts of them drop back to the ground. A second blast rips through a cluster farther downslope. Then another. Hidden charges tear open the earth in staggered bursts, shredding the enemy’s rhythm and scattering their advance.

They stumble back into each other, fighting to retreat back into the forest.

Although it seems the forest isn't safe either, because to the east, there is a shuddering movement of panic. My hearing is enhanced from the bond with the Pack, and I can hear the distant sounds of men screaming.

What fresh horrors have they encountered?

I blink.

There is only one person I know who can inspire such terror.

'Did you like my present, Sparkles?' Blaze's voice vibrates through our Pack bond.

My pulse spikes for a whole different reason as a sharp smile tries to pull at my mouth. 'What did you do, Blaze?'

'Did they scream pretty for you?' he asks instead of answering, sounding far too cheerful for a man somewhere in the middle of an active war zone.

My tongue presses against the back of my teeth to fight back a smile.

Knox's expression barely shifts, but I feel his reaction through the bond before he gives it. Grim satisfaction and dark amusement. "It seems our psycho has been busy laying traps instead of sleeping," he simply adds.

Heat sparks low in my belly despite the cold. I love our Pack wild card. He's never dull.

'Thank you for my present,' I say, and I can feel the flush of gratification that washes through Blaze at my praise.

A second voice cuts in behind him, lower and calmer. 'We’re in position.'

My belly swoops again at the sound of Viper. It's only been minutes since I saw him, but I suspect I will react the same way each time I receive any sign that my mates are okay.

'I'd set a thousand landmines for you, my gorgeous mate,' Blaze coos.

Knox grunts and cuts in. 'Maintain radio discipline.'

Blaze blows a raspberry. 'This isn't a radio, it's our bond, and you're not the boss of me.'

'Shut it down, Sergeant. I am literally, in every interpretation of the word, your boss today.'

Blaze makes a noise that is the sound equivalent of a pout, and a breath of laughter slips out of me before I can stop it.

Even now, Blaze can drag me out of my own head and make me laugh.

Down below, the forest keeps punishing the enemy. Their march forward has turned jagged and uneven as the attacks force some units forward and others back.

It works. Whatever crazy scheme Blaze has devised, it has worked like a charm.

Hope rises sharp and reckless in my chest.

We really can hold them off.

Maybe we can even keep them from breaching Blackreach.

Then I look more carefully at the placement of our own forces at the neck of the Pass.

The line is wrong.

Ice creeps into my stomach as I track it again. Soldiers and vehicles wait at the throat of the road leading back to Blackgate Fortress, but the Pass itself is open.