Page 379 of Hidden Depths

“Six men.”

Storm pulled away from Elanore.

“Ivy, Willow, and Hazel are there.”

“With Coast Guard protection,” I reminded her.

“They got past the Coast Guard before.”

“And they won’t do it again.”

“You can’t promise that.”

She was right.

I hated that she was right.

“No,” I said. “But I can promise we’re going to reach them.”

Ben found a rusted door behind one of the electrical panels.

The hinges had been painted to resemble part of the wall.

He wedged his knife into the seam and pulled.

Nothing.

Nathan joined him.

Together, they forced the panel outward.

Cold wind rushed through the opening.

“Stairs,” Ben said. “They go up.”

“Take Elanore and Storm.”

Storm looked at me.

“What about you?”

“I’m staying with our friend.”

“No.”

“He knows more than he’s telling us.”

“The chamber is going to flood.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then bring him.”

“He’ll slow us down.”

The guard looked between us.

“You’re leaving me?”