Page 36 of Mortal Heart

The elevator doors finally opened. Ronan got on and hit the button for the main level. The doors closed, but nothing happened.

“Put me down,” she ordered him, because if they were about to be ambushed she wasn’t going out being held like a child. He set her on her feet and she leaned against the elevator wall. “I didn’t see her put in a code.”

“The buttons might be biometric.” Ronan pressed his index finger to the button and held it. Again, nothing happened. “Yes, biometric,” he confirmed, though she hadn’t seen or heard anything. He must have felt something. “We need Daniela’s hand.”

It didn’t escape Arkady’s notice that he didn’t say they needed their hostess to be alive or even in one piece—just that they needed her hand. Truth be told, she’d had the same thought.

“I don’t think we’ve got any such favors coming our way, so we better get on to Plan B.” She glanced up. “Give me a boost.”

Ronan followed her gaze to the emergency hatch on the ceiling. “You are in no shape to climb.” His tone was matter-of-fact, not critical or mocking, but it pissed her off nonetheless.

“I bet I’ll beat you up the ladder.” She steadied herself against the side of the elevator and shook her head to clear her vision. “Unless you’re scared to lose?” She’d easily manipulated him that way several times already tonight so she figured it was worth a shot. They might not have anything to prove to each other, but they both had competitive streaks a mile wide.

“You are impaired and will require help to climb a ladder,” he argued implacably. “I need my hands free in case we encounter resistance. We need another escape route. There must be stairs.”

“Impaired my ass,” she fumed. “I’ve climbed ropes wearing a fifty-pound backpack while I had the flu and had to stop along the way to puke and still beat half my squad’s best times. Hurry the hell up before someone tries to use the elevator.”

“If I end up carrying you over my shoulder, I will be obliged to never let you forget it.” He opened the hatch and laced his fingers to create a foothold. “Whenever you’re ready, Miss Woodall.”

“If you ever try to carry me over your shoulder, I’d better be dying, or youwillbe.” She rested her hand on his shoulder for balance, placed her boot in his hands, and looked up at the hatch to make sure she was centered under it. “Alley-oop.”

With one smooth movement, he sent her flying up and through the open hatch. It wasn’t so much a boost as being shot out of a cannon. She managed to control her flight enough to land semi-gracefully on the elevator roof and only stumble a little.

Ronan jumped, grabbed the edges of the hatch, and pulled himself up and out of the elevator car without noticeable effort, despite his own wounds. His movements emphasized the size and strength of the muscles in his upper back, arms, and chest. She licked her lips without meaning to. Which of course he noticed.

She scowled and started up the emergency ladder as he shut the hatch behind them. “By all means take your time, O Great and Mighty One,” she said over her shoulder. “We’ve got all night.”

His quiet snort echoed in the elevator shaft.

For all her bravado, she made it up only about six or seven rungs of the ladder before the weakness and pain in her arms, legs, and joints reached excruciating levels. She hauled herself up one rung at a time, well aware Ronan couldn’t miss either how slowly she was moving or her ragged breathing. She cursed under her breath.

“Talk to me,” Ronan said from below her. “How are you doing?”

If it had been anyone else asking, even Alice or Malcolm, she would have said something sarcastic or just ignored them. But since she had nothing to prove to Ronan, she gritted her teeth and said, “It hurts. A lot.”

“I know.” Gently, he stroked the back of her calf with his fingertips. Some kind of magic passed between them, warm and prickly. The feeling reminded her of the magic he’d used to heal her cut hand. It took the edge off the pain.

“Thanks.” She resumed climbing, no faster than before but without having to stifle a groan or curse with every movement.

“Excellent screams back there, by the way,” Ronan said as they climbed. “Surprisingly convincing.”

“I watch a lot of slasher movies. And it wasn’t the first time I’ve used that ruse. Lots of people think women are helpless, hysterical, and in perpetual need of rescuing. Might as well use that to my advantage.”

He chuckled. “A wise warrior knows their own strengthsandthe weaknesses of their enemies and uses both to their advantage.”

“Exactly.” She heaved herself up another rung. Either Ronan’s pain-relief magic was already starting to wear off or the poison’s effects were worsening. “Is this demon shit going to kill me?”

“I don’t know.” His voice sounded grave. “But it hasn’t yet, which gives me hope. Demon poison is usually immediately fatal if it is designed to kill.”

She grunted. “Good to know.”

He spoke like he dealt with demons on a regular basis. She’d guessed as much after seeing his reaction—or lack thereof—to the swarm’s appearance. It was another clue to what he was, but like all the other hints she’d caught, it wasn’t enough to arrive at any particular conclusion.

When they reached the main level, he surprised her by saying, “I suggest we continue to the next floor and make our way out without venturing through the lobby. The less attention we attract, the better.”

“They’ve got cameras and security everywhere, especially on the upper floors where the VIP suites are,” she reminded him. “We can’t just stroll down the hallways. Odds are, whoever’s watching the live feeds saw us climb out of the elevator and they’ve got a squad of vamps waiting for us to appear. I’ve got one more of thoseExitspells, but I don’t think its range covers all of this place.”

“What do you suggest?”

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