Ka'Cit's Haven (Riv’s Sanctuary #3)

Had she just really slept on a naked guy? Slept on him? All unconcerned?

That you did, Nia. That you did.

There was a soft click and she knew he’d just put his mask back on.

“Ready, ta’ii?” His voice found her in the darkness.

“I think so.”

“Follow me.”

She heard him move and she reached her hand forward to help guide her way.

A firm hand grasped hers and she almost pulled back before she realized it was his.

“Let’s go. We have to be quiet. I don’t know how many of them are still walking around, but we should be able to make it to the upper deck and the loading bay undetected.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

The cold was already biting at her now that she wasn’t curled up in his arms and she realized just how much he’d helped her by keeping her warm.

He squeezed her hand lightly before he began moving through the dark tunnel.

Nia closed her eyes and put her complete trust in him as he led them forward.

She wasn’t in a little dark tunnel.

She was simply walking in a big open space.

She repeated that to herself as he led her forward. Over and over, she repeated the words, and when she felt him squeeze her hand again, the reassurance added some strength to her will.

His hand felt strong and sure and before long, he stopped moving.

Ka’Cit lifted her hand and shortly after, the cold metal of the ladder was underneath her fingertips.

“I’ll go first,” he whispered.

Nia nodded before she realized he probably couldn’t see that she’d responded…or maybe he could. She wasn’t sure.

The ladder jerked a little as he climbed up and soon she heard the slight sound of the floor covering sliding back.

“Come on up.” His whisper was urgent. “It’s clear.”

Her heart hammered in her chest as she grabbed each side of the ladder and began making her way up, eyes still closed.

The higher she climbed the harder it was for her to breathe and relief swept through her when she felt his hand close over hers again.

Ka’Cit grasped her and helped her from the hole and that’s when she finally opened her eyes.

It was dark in the corridor. Only a dim strip of light ran along the floor.

Nia’s gaze darted around and she was mildly aware that Ka’Cit was replacing the flooring as quietly as he could.

When he stood, she did too.

“This way.” He was already moving and Nia followed so close behind him that she was almost plastered against his back.

She couldn’t help but glance behind her every now and then.