Christine Feehan - Conspiracy Game

Ken cleared his throat softly to get their attention. We have to move now, before they make it through all the trip wires. We’ve only slowed them down, not stopped them.

I’m ready , Briony assured them, and tipped her head back to look at the outcropping.

Jack went first, crouching right below it and leaping. It was an extraordinary distance from a standing jump.

You need help? Ken asked.

Briony shook her head, but backed up a few feet to get a running start. She’d never been good at just standing and jumping like Jack had done. She cleared the distance easily and landed beside Jack, who instantly caught her by the arms and hauled her against the rock face. Ken followed them up.

Get as close to the wall as you can to give me, room, baby. Jack tied his pack firmly and strapped his rifle down. Ken, use the radio as soon as we get high enough to make the call. Every minute will count. Make them aware of that. Call in both teams if you have to, but tell them we need an extraction like yesterday. Full combat conditions, tell them to come in hot.

Will do. I’ll need to be up another thirty or forty feet before trying it.

Briony watched with her heart in her throat as Jack looked up the sheer cliff face. Before he could react, she caught his hand and tugged, lifting her face to his. This was a life-and-death gamble-a struggle they might not survive-and she wanted him to know how important he was to her.

Jack framed her face and kissed her gently. We’ll get through this.

I know . She poured her trust into her mind. If anyone could keep her safe-it was Jack. She felt his concern for her and smiled. I can do this, Jack. I know I can.

He nodded, kissed her a second time, and looked up at the sheer face rising above him, frowning a little. The crevice was to his right, and he had to leap up and jam his arm into the narrow opening. He’d done it once before successfully, but it had been full daylight. He crouched low and sprang, arm outstretched, fist closed tightly.

Beneath him, Ken waited to spot him. If Jack missed and came crashing down, he would only have a sliver of hope to keep him from hitting the ground below the outcropping.

The edges of the jagged rock face ripped and peeled back his skin as Jack slammed his fist hard into the tapered crack. Blood seeped down his arm, and his shoulder nearly snapped as it took the brunt of his full weight. He took a breath to still his rapidly beating heart, and slowly let it out, easing the pain away from his mind while he searched with the toes of his boots for the two-inch ledge he knew was there. It was a relief to find the tiny jutting rock to help take the weight of his body. Insuring his fist would hold tight in the crevice, he glanced down below him, free arm outstretched back toward his family.

Ready Ken? Briony?

Briony swallowed. Ready for what? They hadn’t told her what they expected yet, but Ken tugged at her arm, drawing her away from the safety of the steep wall. She moistened her suddenly dry lips. Tell me what to do.

Climb up onto Ken’s shoulders and crouch to get extra spring. He’ll help launch you. You have to hit my wrist, baby, just like your work. I’ll catch you.

One-handed. In the dark. Briony blew out her breath, rubbed one hand soothingly over her rounded tummy, and stepped onto Ken’s bent thigh to get to his shoulders. Once in place, it was easy enough to keep her equilibrium. He was strong, his shoulders broad, and she was used to working with balance. She remained in a crouch, judging the distance, waiting for Jack’s signal.

Go.

Briony burst into the sky, launched by her own powerful leg muscles as well as the extra push from Ken. She flew straight up, arm outstretched, gaze locked on her target. Her palm slapped Jack’s wrist, fingers curling tight as he caught her in a viselike grip. Feel for the ledge with your toes. It’s only a couple of inches wide. Reach with your free hand and feel for the crack above your head. With his enhanced strength, he pulled her up beside him.

Briony stretched her toes and ran her foot along the wall as far down as she could, feeling along the rock face until she felt the tiny outcropping. She had to maintain her balance as she slid the fingers of her free hand up toward the crevice to find the edge. I’ve got it, Jack. You can let go.

Jack didn’t want to let her go. They were thirty-five feet in the air, clinging to the side of a sheer cliff with rocks below. He wanted to shield her body with his, wrap her up in his strength, but it was impossible and Ken was waiting.

A blast sounded closer, and this time the crown of a tree exploded in the distance, shattering the night, the trunk cracking with loud groans before splitting with a grinding sound and falling to the ground.

Jack ignored the orange and red flames and leaned down toward his brother. Go.

Ken didn’t hesitate, leaping with a smooth, practiced motion and gripping Jack’s wrist hard. Instead of finding the ledge and planting his feet for safety, Jack began to swing him back and forth like a giant pendulum.

Briony watched in horror as Jack threw Ken up and over at least ten feet from where she clung to the cliff face. She couldn’t tear her gaze away as Ken reached out with both hands, clawing at what appeared to be a smooth surface. His fingertips dug in and held. He hung there for a moment catching his breath, brow pressed against rock as he began to move his feet cautiously, looking for the widening crack where he could place his feet.

Your turn, Briony.

Jack’s voice was a caress, but a shiver of protest skittered down her spine. I think I’m going to be sick.

Wrong time, baby. He held out his hand to her. I’ll let you know when you need to release. Ken will be waiting. You’ve done this kind of thing a million times.

She glanced back at the tree burning in the distance far below them and squared her shoulders. Jack reached back for her and she told herself she had no choice. They had to get up the cliff if they wanted to survive. She leapt and caught his wrist, kicking out with her legs to help Jack swing her, just as Ken had done. Once in the air, instincts took over and she helped create the arc needed for the flight.

Go. The command came and she released, flying toward Ken and the huge expanse of rock. She did a graceful dive, arms outstretched, waiting for the familiar smack of flesh on flesh, the satisfying sting as they came together. Ken caught her wrist in a solid grip and held her for a moment while she caught her breath.

That was great, Briony. The toehold is just to the left of your foot. Keep feeling for it. You’re almost there. Ken guided her to the safety of the small crevices.

The moment she was secure, she looked back down at Jack, her heart beating too fast. How are you going to make it without help? It’s too far on your own.

Ease over to the side to make room between you. I’m coming up.

She reminded herself he’d done it before, but her mouth was dry and she felt close to panic as he slowly removed his fist from the crack and turned completely outward to face them. Even with the tiny ledge, he maintained his balance, but she could barely breathe with fear for him. She felt concentration in his mind, and in Ken’s mind, and then Jack launched himself into the air, crouching precariously and using enhanced calf and thigh muscles to propel him into the air and over toward his brother.

Instinctively, Briony reached for him, using one arm to anchor her body while she stretched the other toward him. Ken was closer and bent back, the fingers of one hand digging into the ledge as the fingers of the other closed like a vise around Jack’s wrist. Briony caught Jack’s shirt, and they drew him up beside them so that all three pressed tightly against the cliff breathing heavily.