Page 62 of Faith and Fury

“Last resort,” I mutter. Then, calling out again, “Faith—I’m right here! If you can hear me, give me a signal.” I’m begging you.

More silence. Delia and I wait with bated breath, ignoring the growing crowd around us, murmuring curiously.

Suddenly, from deep in the dark, I hear a loud, pointed bang.

My inner alpha leaps with joy. “Alright;” I say, “good girl. Do that again—two for yes, one for no. Got it?”

Bang! Bang!

I sneak a glance at Delia. She nods eagerly.

“You hurt?” I ask.

Bang! I hold my breath, sensing her hesitation, before a second, more reluctant, bang!

I shove my alpha down, worried the scent of my panic will somehow reach her. “Can you move?”

Another two bangs. I clench my fists.

“Don’t worry—Maverick’s coming to get you. We’re gonna send down some rope—”

Bang!

I frown. “No? No to Maverick?”

Bang!

Delia and I share a look, equally confused. “I don’t understand,” I call down. “Are you telling me you don’t want us to get you out?”

When Faith responds, the noise sounds further away, almost like she’s travelled deeper into the tunnel. One bang. Then a second. My blood turns cold, finally realizing what’s happening. “Omega, I said stay where you are. We’re coming to you.”

The tunnel goes silent. Whether she’s wandered out of earshot or simply decided to ignore me, I can’t tell.

Delia leans in nervously. “She must’ve found something.”

“I don’t care if she found the entire goddamn arena! She’s not going alone.”

Fuming, I grab my phone to call Maverick. He should’ve updated me by now. Fuck, he should be down there by now.

The line only rings a couple times before he answers—“Boss. I got her scent.”

“She’s on the move,” I snap. “But she’s hurt. Top priority is getting her to the surface.”

“Hang on, did she find something? I can back her up if—”

“Repeat,” I growl, “get her to the surface. No detours.”

I half expect he’s going to argue—an underground takedown with just him and Faith has got to be a top-five Maverick fantasy—when suddenly there’s a loud scuffling noise.

I straighten. “Mav? Report.”

“Thank fuck.” His voice is muffled. “It’s alright! Hey, it’s me!”

More scuffling—I catch an omega’s hiss, and it fills me relief. Faith’s really there. Maverick found her. She’s safe.

But something’s wrong.

Right on time, Maverick snaps, “Shit.” I hear the telltale scrape of metal on leather.

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