Page 51 of Faith and Fury

“Coast is clear!”

I look at Faith. “You ready?”

She quirks her eyebrow at me like she’s offended by the question.

Just like last time, I hold the light, watching her descend rung by rung.

“That’s it, kitten,” Maverick coaches. “Nice and slow.”

About halfway down, she pauses. I worry she might’ve seen something, or heard something, so I ask, “What is it?”

Faith is silent—though what did I expect? Surely she hasn’t picked up one of the ringleaders’ scents already? This is the first location of nearly fifty—there’s no way we’re that lucky.

Suddenly my inner alpha snaps to attention. Warning me.

Something is wrong.

“You alright up there?” Maverick asks, a hint of concern in his voice.

That’s when I see Faith’s shoulders shaking. Her hands close around the ladder in a white-knuckled grip. She’s staring down, chin against her chest, hair curtaining her face. I have to get her attention.

“Hey,” I call. “Look at me. Faith.”

She looks up, squinting against the flashlight. Those big blue eyes fill with terror and she bares her teeth like a cornered animal.

Fuck. Fuck. How could I have been this stupid? She had the same reaction when we tried to drive her into the garage. That panic. That crushing, debilitating dread—threatening to undo all the progress we’ve made in the last two weeks.

“I’m coming up,” Maverick asserts.

“Don’t!” I snap.

She’s communicating, Micah’s voice echoes in my head. Trusting us more and more. I wanted so badly to believe him.

And now I’m going to find out.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Faith

The darkness, I think I can handle. But then I see that light—white, blinding, acidic.

And suddenly I’m not with Caleb, or Maverick, or anyone.

I’m standing dead alone in the center of the ring.

My skin breaks out in a cold sweat. I know I can’t let go of the ladder without falling down deeper, but I also can’t move. Can’t think. Can’t breathe.

“Faith. Faith!”

That’s Caleb’s voice. The last time I heard it so sharp, he was barking at me. Is that what he’s going to do now? Put me in my place? Put me down—down, down, where I’ll never see the surface again?

“Take my hand.”

If I take his hand, I’ll fall. If I fall, I’m good as dead.

“Dammit, let me help!” someone calls from below me.

“Stand down,” Caleb snarls. He reaches out further. “Faith. I need you to trust me.”

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