Page 61 of Anchored to the Storm

Her drugged eyes opened. “Want… it all,” she vowed, right before dropping back toward the ocean in slow motion.

Her eyes drifted back shut, and her proud smile said, “Stronger.” I suddenly understood I had controlled her speed.

Wow. I didn’t understand this ability, nor how to control it, but the young man inside my ego was stoked. Too fucking cool.

Saleeni winked before disappearing completely.

That sexy wink had me hard, instantly. “Never wanted anyone more.”

Back underground, we maneuvered the heavy tube through the tunnel. It wasn’t as hard as I first thought it would be. Gravity helped lots.

Once the tube was snug against the remaining dirt, I crawled in. Every time I’d make some headway with the dirt, I’d crawl out, and Styx and I would push the tube deeper in, preparing it for me to dig out more dirt, slowly making room each time. It was slightly grueling, but we lacked the knowledge of how else to manage this incredible feat.

We even strapped two handheld mini air tanks to each of us for when we reached the water. We weren’t sure of the physics. Styx was concerned the pressure of the water wouldn’t create a slow enough leak. And because he was extra paranoid now, he refused to use the internet or search Google on his cell phone for answers. He said a few local searches, if anybody was spying, could lead whatever enemy Saleeni had straight to her location.

“Put this on.” Styx handed me a headlamp.

“What about the lights already down there?”

“I removed them. If water comes in, no need to electrocute our asses.”

“Good point.” I placed the light on my head and secured it. Then I blew out a breath. “Think today is the day?”

He didn’t look happy. “According to measurements, I do.”

“Hey.” I grabbed his shoulder. “We’ll be alright.” All I wanted was Saleeni. To make this tunnel work and bring her close. Anything to protect her.

From inside the waterless pool that now had beautiful rock walls, he said, “Water is powerful, Silly Rabbit.”

I teased, “Need a beer first?”

He shoved me toward the tunnel. “Stop trying to cheer me up.”

You didn’t have to be gifted to sense him wishing he could do this on his own, but we didn’t have any alternatives. I didn’t exactly want him down there in danger by himself.

The lights above, which I’d set to blue, guided us for some time. Once we got closer to the exposed dirt we were almost done with, I clicked on my headlamp. It worked perfectly, lighting up all I needed to see. “Handy, Gramps!” I crawled into the tube.

This time, Styx was practically up my ass, his headlight glowing over my shoulder. “Slow. Examine for water. Then proceed.”

He had already explained this several times. “Got it.”

“If any water appears, stop.” He grumbled behind me. “My smarts say this is stupid.”

I lifted the ax into the air. “Not exactly brimming with an abundance of solutions.” I struck the dirt. “Got to see it through.” I pushed the fallen dirt aside.

Styx scooped everything I kept passing to him into buckets. “Your speed isn’t slow and steady, kid.”

I lifted the ax and struck. “Stop worrying!” After pushing away dirt, I lifted the ax but stopped when I saw a slight dribble. “Hey, I think we have water⁠—”

I didn’t even have a chance to finish my sentence before I was being yanked out of the tube. “Take the buckets up. My turn to dig.”

Pissed and wanting to be the one to break through, I grabbed the buckets. “Bullshit.”

Hunched over, I took only one step forward to head up the tunnel before I heard, “Oh shit.”

I turned back to see Styx yell, “Run!” Buckets were knocked from my hands, and he shoved me forward. “As fast as you can⁠—”

I felt a gust of wind.