Page 89 of Nothing But Air
“Yes. You set the route. I’ll climb between you and Marcus. Xander brings up the rear.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Putting yourself between me and potential trouble?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Very chivalrous.”
“I have my moments.”
“Don’t get yourself killed trying to protect me.” Her voice softened. “I’d be very annoyed.”
“Just annoyed?”
“Extremely annoyed.”
“Noted.”
They geared up as the sun began peeking over the rim of the canyon. Marcus kept checking his watch. Kept looking up at that cave entrance like it held all the answers.
The sun crested the canyon rim as Eden started up the first pitch. Golden light flooded the limestone.
She climbed beautifully. Each placement of hand and foot deliberate and confident, the doubt from yesterday nowhere in evidence.
Teague watched in admiration. This may have started as attraction, but somewhere it had become something deeper, stronger, something he didn’t have words for yet.
“Safe! Send Teague up.”
“I should go second.” Marcus stepped forward, reaching for the rope.
Teague blocked him. “Eden leads. I’m second. You’re third. That’s the order.”
“But I?—”
“My call, Marcus.”
Something flickered behind Marcus’s gaze—frustration, or something darker. But he stepped back.
Teague tied in and started up. His ribs protested the first few moves before settling into a manageable ache. He reached Eden’s anchor station and clipped in beside her.
“Marcus tried to go second?” Her voice was barely audible.
“Yup.”
“And?”
“And that’s why he’s not.” Teague positioned himself to watch the route below. “Send him up.”
Marcus climbed with jerky intensity, his focus scattered between the rock and the cave entrance above.
Eyes on the rock, not on the prize. Basic rule.
He reached the anchor breathing hard. “How much farther?”
“One more pitch. Xander, you’re up.”
Eden led the final pitch. They clustered on the narrow ledge outside the cave entrance, the dark opening yawning before them.
“I’ll check it out.” Marcus moved toward the entrance.
