The Calm Before The Swarm (18 page)

"Quit screwing around and just do it
already," Pascual said. He shouldered Ladd aside and shoved scoops
of sand away from the reed. "For someone in such a rush to get out
of here, you're sure taking your sweet time about it."

Ladd glanced back toward the tunnel through
which they had initially entered. Suddenly, the prospect of
descending the sheer, icy face of Mt. Belukha wasn't nearly as
intimidating, even blindly in the darkness and the blizzarding
snow.

"Stop, Carlos."

"I can feel something down there."

"For Christ's sake, stop digging! Let's get
out of here while we still---"

"What the hell is that? Someone. Give me
some more light."

Rivale shined her beam into the bottom of
the foot-deep hole as Pascual brushed away the grains that trickled
back down the sides. He jerked his hand back and scrabbled
away.

Ladd saw a prominent brow over eyelids
dusted with sand, the ridge of a slender nose, a pair of lips
pursed around the base of the reed.

"It's too late," he whispered.

The eyes snapped open at the sound of his
voice.