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suffocate in this hellhole without any water or food. She brought her arms awkwardly in front of her and gasped, moving her stiff wrists and fingers awkwardly.
    48

    Cover of Darkness
    by Kaylea Cross
    He grabbed his canteen and pulled out the stopper, holding it to her lips while she groaned with relief and chugged it, her hands gripping his wrists like claws. He stopped her.
    "Slowly," he cautioned, "or it'll come right back up."
    His heart squeezed in sympathy as she sipped desperately at it, her trembling hands digging into his to hold the canteen, as though she were afraid he would take it away. He let her drain it, eased her up onto her knees. They had to move.
    "What's his status, Spence?" he asked over his shoulder.
    "Head injury, sir. I've given him a little water, but we need to get him back to the chopper so I can work on him. They both need IV fluids, stat."
    "Roger that." He took the clothes Spencer handed him and held them out for Bryn. "Put these on, and then we'll get you out of here." They had a little time, since no tangos had been spotted yet, but that didn't mean they weren't waiting in ambush somewhere close by.
    Bryn hesitated for only a second, then took the shirt and pants he offered. He would have turned his back to give her some privacy but she was clearly too weak to dress herself.
    With quick, efficient movements, he stripped the stiff gown over her head and tugged the shirt down to cover her strapless bra. He then helped her pull the pants over her barely-there panties and rolled the cuffs up so she wouldn't trip over them. After tugging on socks and a pair of boots, he hauled her to her feet. She swayed and grabbed at his shoulders, trembling with the effort of staying upright.
    Another hot ball of rage swept through him at her slim frame shaking against him, weak and critically dehydrated 49

    Cover of Darkness
    by Kaylea Cross
    after living in an earthen oven for three days. Part of him hoped the group responsible would try and fight their way out when his team found them, so they could dispatch them all to hell where they belonged.
    "Here we go," he told her, and hoisted her up through the trap door, where one of his team members waited to pull her out. He boosted himself up after her and reached down for her father, then moved back while Spencer levered himself from the filthy prison. His lungs expanded in relief at being in the cool, clean air, the wind gusts strong enough to spray dirt and sand into his eyes.
    He turned to Bryn, who was swaying on her feet. "She needs some more water."
    Three canteens instantly appeared in front of her nose. He allowed her to have a few more sips from one of them, and then took her arm. "We'll give you some more when we get you to safety, ma'am," he promised.
    At a nod from him, one of his men slid Jamul onto his shoulders and started off behind the point man. Jamul's daughter was shivering, her lips cracked, black eyes bruised-looking and dulled with fatigue.
    "Can you walk? We have to move fast, so if you can't keep up on your own, we'll have to carry you."
    She blinked, nodded. "I'll try."
    "Okay. Let's move out."
    Two other men started across the narrow street, gave the all clear for them to follow. He took hold of her upper arm to steady her, began walking through the wind, mindful of her exhaustion. After she stumbled for the second time, he slung 50

    Cover of Darkness
    by Kaylea Cross
    his rifle across his back and hoisted her over his shoulder. Her body stiffened but she didn't struggle, and she was light enough that her weight didn't slow him down much.
    From building to building they slunk like ghosts, the cloud-covered moon aiding in their camouflage while the wind whipped sand and dust into the air. Bryn held onto the back of his BDUs, remaining still and quiet as they reached the outskirts of the village. The wind grew to a howling pitch, sand and debris obscuring their vision.
    Dec and the team put on goggles to protect their eyes and kept