Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
With a groan, the panel opened and revealed a new set of buttons that looked like they hadn't been updated in decades.
I saw the numbers. One. Two. Three. Three-A. Five. Six.
No four since it was unlucky. The word for four sounded too much like the word for death. So they skipped it, even here, in a place built for sin and secrets, they honored old superstitions.
She looked at me. “When we’re ready to lower, press U3A. That’s the center VIP level in the Depths.”
“Got it.”
She stepped back next to me.
Reo turned to the Scales behind us and held up a hand. "We can't all fit. Not in one ride."
His gaze swept the group and he pointed to a group of Scales. "You six. Front line. You stay ahead of the Dragon at all times. The rest of you hold this floor. Secure the hallway, lock down the stairwell, and keep our exit clean. No one comes through that door. If we need to pull back, this is where we funnel. If not, then wait for my command."
The remaining Scales broke off without hesitation, fanning back down the corridor with their weapons up.
“Come on.” I guided Hiroko in. “We go in first.”
Her men followed on her sides.
Hiro turned to the twins. They already had their guns out, standing side by side with identical stillness. “You know your one job.”
They nodded together.
“Keep my brother alive. That’s it.”
Hiro looked at one. "Aki, right side.”
He turned to the other. “Yuki, left."
Okay. That’s Aki and that’s Yuki.
The men smirked and I swore they went in the other’s directions, confusing me.
What the fuck? So. . .is it Yuki now on the left and Aki on the right or are they. . .oh who fucking cares? I give up.
Hiro rolled his eyes, telling me that they did do something confusing.
But it didn’t matter. Both got next to me, slowly forcing Hiroko to go further to the side. Guns up. Scars catching the light.
Hiro positioned himself in front of us, knife in one hand, gun in the other. Before anyone could get to me, they would have to get through him, and not many could.
Reo stepped in behind Hiro, hand on his weapon.
The Claws filed in next.
The six chosen Scales loaded in last, forming two tight rows nearest the doors — a wall of guns trained forward, ready to absorb whatever waited on the other side.
The elevator groaned under our weight but held.
Reo pressed the button, and the doors closed.
Slowly we lowered.
The twins leaned forward and looked at each other.
Then one whispered, "Where one falls—"
"—the other burns it all down." The other twin nodded.
Reo looked at the Scales in front of us. "When these doors open, you're the first line. Understood?"
They nodded, knowing exactly what it meant. The first line would be the first to die if someone were waiting on the other side with guns. No fear hit their eyes. Instead, they moved into position and readied their weapons.
Everyone went silent.
I could only hear breathing, the hum of the elevator cables, and the faint creak of metal as we descended.
After passing all of the floors, we went further down, past the lobby, past the parking garage, past the foundation.
Deeper.
The elevator didn't slow.
It just kept dropping.
I looked at Hiroko. "How deep does this go?"
"Deep enough that most people forget the darker part of the Depths exists."
After a few minutes, the elevator finally began to slow. My stomach lifted slightly as we decelerated.
Everyone raised their weapons.
And I glanced at my Tiger’s blood on my guns and had faith in her protection. I could almost feel her heartbeat through the dried blood on the barrels—lovingly steady, stubborn, refusing to let me go.
Tora.
My chest ached.
Not from fear.
From the distance between us.
I tightened my grip.
I should have put a ring on your finger before I left. I won’t make that mistake again.
Whatever was at the bottom of this elevator, it wasn't getting me.
Not today.
I had things to do.
I had a woman to come home to, and she'd already bled for me.
The least I could do was survive.
And then, the elevator shuddered.
The cables groaned.
And somewhere close, in the Depths, either my father was waiting, or a well-planned trap.
Either way. . .I will survive it.
I just hoped to God that it would be true.
Chapter thirty-five
Measuring Time
Nyomi
"I just know one thing, Nika." Deja tugged gently at a section of my hair. "You need to get them people back those champagne glasses you took from the flight."
Nika rolled her eyes. "Man, ain't nobody even asked about those glasses now. Those are my glasses at this point."
Everyone laughed.
All of the Fangs had been hanging around the whole time, watching everything with fascination. Yoichi and Satoshi sat in chairs by the door and had put their guns up.
Rin remained by the wall, in clear eyesight of Deja.
Kaoru was closer to the viewing area where he could glance down and check the theater every few minutes making sure no threats entered below.