Chapter 22

Waiting seemed to take an eternity. From above came the monotonous thud as the men dug through the dirt, and then hit the stone. Not long after that, a soft boom vibrated the air around us and made me jump.

"Small charge," Seth said. "Just enough to break through the stone. Frank has a way with dynamite."

Then from below, a gunshot, followed by three more fired in rapid succession. I jumped and glanced to Seth.

"Shouldn't we go in? They need our help," I said.

He ground his jaw, but held his ground. "I can't risk more men without knowing what's in there. We wait."

I wanted to dash in after the brave young men. How could he stand here, while a few feet away his soldiers needed our help? He reached out and took my hand, holding me at his side and drawing my gaze again.

"This is what it means to lead, to balance two lives against many more. I don't issue the command to wait lightly, but I have faith in Jack and Jake's abilities."

Time stretched, and my heartbeat struggled to fill t