From Burning Ashes (Collector Series #4) Read Online Free PDF

fillies.”
    Croygen glowered at both of us but shrugged.
There was no other way.
    “It won’t lead us out or to the first floor,
but it will get us closer to the stairs,” I continued.
    “Then we jump down and go kung fu on their
asses and run out.” Croygen put his hands on his hips.
    “Exactly.”
    “Excellent plan, Zoey. Stellar, really,”
Croygen said dryly.
    “I thought so.”
    We all knew it would be nowhere near simple,
but time was running out and our window of surprise was shrinking
to a sliver.
    ###
    The vents squeaked with our weight, even
though we spread out as far as we could. Ryker struggled to scrunch
his shoulders narrow enough to writhe through the small space.
Being the leader, I checked on our location status, while poor
Croygen dragged Lexie and Sprig in the middle, and Ryker brought up
the rear, staying as far from me as possible.
    If Rapava was aware of my use of the vents,
he had yet to block them, for which I felt grateful. I couldn’t
believe just a few hours ago Delaney had given me the code to get
Ryker out. I had crawled up into these vents and set this whole
plan in motion. The “borrowed” elevator card dug into my hip. If we
did get out of here, I hoped neither Kate nor Delaney would be
suspected of aiding us.
    I slipped down onto the pipes and peeked
through a panel. Shit . Rapava had this place a lot more
secured and ready for an attack than I thought. Five men dressed
like they were about to stop a deadly bank heist blocked the door
to the stairs, primed and ready for action. Armed with bulletproof
vests, walkie-talkies, helmets, each appeared to be prepared to
shoot the fae guns they were holding, while automatics and stun
guns hung from their belts.
    With a sigh I set the board down lightly and
twisted to face the guys with only my head poking into the vent. It
was almost pitch dark, but I could just barely make out their
outlines. “Good news. We’re here. Bad news. There’s the cast of S.W.A.T. team watching the stairs.”
    “Dammit,” Croygen whispered.
    “It’s clear he has his own soldiers
permanently stationed here, ready to go on a moment’s notice.”
Ryker’s quiet voice held a note of annoyance.
    They’d probably been here the whole time,
disguised as staff or kept hidden from view.
    “Croygen, Ryker and I will take care of the
men. You wait here. When they’re dealt with, you bring Lexie
down.”
    “Can I leave the rodent?”
    I ignored Croygen’s question. “You run up
those stairs to the top level. I don’t care whatever locks, alarms,
or blockades are put between you and freedom, go through them. We
are too close now. When you exit the door, there will be a tunnel.
Go to the left and just run. The outside door is a block from
there. “And if anything happens to me. You get out. Rapava wants me
more than anyone.”
    “Zoey—”
    “This is not up for debate. Not this time.
You get my sister out of here,” I growled. He should have been
gone, far from here, but he came back for me. To save me. “Ryker,
you ready?” I didn’t wait for a response before I bent down. The
vibration of someone landing behind me shook the metal.
    “I’m with you, human.” His deep voice snaked
up through my hair to my ear. “Till the end.”
    “If you have the opportunity, you better run
too.”
    “Not a chance.” He stood so close I could
feel his hot breath on my neck.
    “Okay, on three.” I leaned over, grabbing a
ceiling panel.
    “One,” he said and jumped down.
    “Fucking fae.” I grumbled and dropped down
after him. My feet hit the laminated flooring, ready to fight. Five
men dressed in military garb stood sentinel in front of the stairs.
Ryker pounced on the one who went for his walkie-talkie. He twisted
the soldier’s neck so harshly it did a one-eighty, winding his
spine like a clock. Crack . The Wanderer pushed the limp
figure away, eager for the next.
    The second man came for me, drawing a gun
toward my head. I spun out of the line of fire,