Page 9 of Warrior
“Ewok.”
A minute later, the metal door creaked as the pudgy ball of fur shuffled in, head hung sheepishly.
“Why aren’t you in bed?” I asked.
His head snapped up, eyes widening in surprise before quickly darting toward Daicon with deep suspicion. “I didn’t want to leave you alone with him.”
Daicon snorted, apparently thinking the concept absurd, but Ewok remained steadfast in his dislike.
I couldn’t scold him for wanting to protect me, even with signs of exhaustion on his face. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, and deep lines etched the pink flesh around his mouth, the only part of his body that lacked fur. It wouldn’t do any good shooing him off to bed again. Ewok would find a way to remain nearby.
Wait a minute!
“Ewok knows these tunnels better than anyone,” I verbalized my thoughts. I knelt, putting my face level with child. His dark button eyes held a mix of affection and distrust as they flitted between me and Daicon.
“Do you know a way to get to the docking area without being seen by the guards?” I asked.
Ewoks eyes flickered to Daicon, his dislike apparent.
“It’s okay. He's here to help us.” I turned to glance at Daicon. His face held another unreadable expression that made butterflies flitter through my veins. I turned back to Ewok, watching as concession slipped over his features.
“There is a shaft that leads to the docks, but the passage is sealed.”
“Can you show me?” Daicon stepped closer, his body language relaxed.
Ewok’s furrowed brow communicated uncertainty as he looked from Daicon to me once again. I gave him an encouraging nod. Ewok considered a moment longer before his chin dipped, and he spun around with a motion for us to follow.
Daicon followed close behind me as Ewok led us from my room, past the kitchen and dormitory, and down the staircase to the common area below. The lights were low. This was nighttime in the mine, and the small lamp absconded by Ewok from a pile of tools cast a weak, dim light.
We descended a small tunnel, stone walls damp and cold to the touch, the floor inclining. The darkness was oppressive, but neither Daicon nor Ewok seemed perturbed. I knew Ewok possessed excellent night vision and could only guess Daicon did as well. A guess proven correct when my toe subbed against a stone, sending me flailing. Before I hit dirt, an iron bar snaked around my waist, jerking me back into a warm, muscular chest.
“Are you alright?” Daicon’s warm breath caressed my neck. I felt an electric spark that sent shivers dancing down myspine. His nearness was intoxicating, and my heart raced as I felt myself melt against him.
Abruptly, he stepped away, and my body silently moaned in protest.
“Here, let me help you.” He placed a firm hand over mine, and the golden eyes glowed softly in the darkness.
“O—okay,” I stammered, hoping he would believe my flushed cheeks were from nearly face-planting.
Sweet fancy, Moses! What was wrong with me?
Why did my body do a happy dance every time Daicon drew near? I was a widow for heaven's sake, and he was a stranger—a sexy, dangerous stranger. It wasn’t like I hadn’t been around dangerous men before. I nearly got kidnapped during our last mission trip to Honduras! This wasn't a response to danger though—it felt different, almost welcome. Something about him seemed untamed, unpredictable, and wild. And it drew me toward something different, deeper, and more primal—like my body was slowly awakening from a deep sleep.
This stinking youthful body of mine needed to control itself!
We moved further into the inky depths, so close that our shoulders brushed against one another as we walked. Ewok led with a lamp held aloft, guiding us deeper into the unknown. The warrior's grip shifted from my hand to my waist when the tunnel grew narrow, and we moved single file. Electricity jolted along my nerve endings from his touch.
Seriously, what was going on with me?
The tunnel widened and Ewok stopped, swinging around with his lamp, lighting up an enormous wall of rock that blocked our path. Daicon stepped to the pile of rock and dirt, and I watched as his hands moved lightly over the stone, feeling for any weaknesses.
“How far is the dock from here?” Daicon asked.
“About thirty mechitaires,” Ewok answered confidently.
Daicon glanced at him, obviously catching the confusion on my face. “That’s around four hundred feet in earth measurement.”
The number sounded familiar, my mind shoving forth the image of a football field. Discouragement flooded through me. “Is there no other way to the dock?
