Even as his threat reached her, Sahra was fighting back. with the heel of her boot she came down heavily on his instep. Hot spittle splattered her cheek as an oath exploded from him, and his grip slackened as he hopped off balance on one foot. A swift swipe with her steel pipe deflected the gun barrel. Continuing her arm swing, she propelled her elbow viciously back into his stomach then jerked strongly out of his grasp. Bent over and gasping for breath, he was unprepared as she made a fast turn to the left and sent her boot hard into the back of his knee. with a hoarse cry he collapsed to the frozen ground. with gritted teeth Sahra swung the pipe again, knocking the laser gun out of the bandit''s hand.
Swooping down for the gun and grabbing her bag in one swift movement, she headed out of there, hoping to avoid a confrontation with one of Sykes'' cohorts. Almost before the idea of seeking help crossed her mind she dismissed it. the last thing she wanted to do was bring more trouble down on Jeremiah''s kin. Sykes would be ruthless with anyone who helped her, especially after this second humiliation. She headed for a structure that could only be the mound of a root cellar, blending well into the darkness of the house near where it stood. the door stood crookedly open. the wooden steps leading down into blackness creaked ominously, and Sahra descended with caution, one hand against the dank wall. She squeezed into the minute space below the stairs, pressing against the crumbly wall that dropped chunks of dirt as she moved against it.
It was icy cold. Sahra began to be aware of a noise in the tiny cellar. It was the sound of breathing; rasping and labored. Someone else had sought shelter before her, someone sick or injured, from the sound of it. Vaguely surprised that she felt no alarm, she turned her head toward the sound. As her eyes tried to pierce the darkness she became aware of something else; a strange sensation that penetrated into the depths of her heart. It was a flooding warmth, conveying friendship, and belonging. Whoever was sharing her hideout was no threat to her.
on the contrary. Then she felt his pain. A gasp escaped her, and she was about to leave her corner to investigate when she heard a noise outside. Cowering back, she tried to send reassuring thoughts. "Hang on," she whispered then her throat tightened as she heard the tearing shriek as the door was kicked open. A light filtered down into the darkness. "Why here?" grumbled a voice. "This is about as far as the bitch would get to without us seeing her.
Come on!" the voice was Sykes''. A cold knot cramped her stomach as she heard the venom in the tone, and reaffirmed her fear that she had a dangerous enemy in Sykes. A heavy boot landed on the top stair just above Sahra''s head. She stopped breathing. Her fingers were numb around the grip of the gun. Another step. the light flashed downward, played around the cellar. Suddenly, out of the darkness came a vicious snarling, low and deep, a threatening growl that menaced a man foolish enough to enter a strange lair.
Something moved in the shadows, and the snarling intensified. Sahra heard a dull click as the hammer of a handgun was eased back. Then a voice whispered harshly, "Don''t shoot, you fool, you''ll wake the damn neighborhood. She wouldn''t be in there with that animal. Let''s go!" Sahra lay quietly against the wall until she was sure her pursuers were far away. with a sigh, a mere whisper of air through tight lips, she released her grip on the gun. As she eased gently out of her confined hiding place she held on to the rickety staircase. Even in its present condition it felt sturdier than her knees did.
Leaning her forehead against the dank wood she took in a deep, cleansing breath.Her eyes raked the dimness, but she couldn''t see anything of her savior. "Come here," she whispered. "Come out of the shadow, friend, and let me help you." She tried to project her feelings of gratitude into this link they seemed to have established between them, and found it came naturally. A soft shuffling rewarded her, and a dog of enormous size crept within the circle of light. His great head drooped low, and his ribs could be clearly defined through matted and filthy hair. His tongue hung out of the side of his mouth as his breath whistled in labored gasps.
Two steps, and he collapsed in front of her. A quick examination revealed a wire snare encircling his neck, pulled so cruelly tight and cutting into the flesh, that the creature was dying a slow death from asphyxiation. and it seemed that his strength was running out. Sahra was afraid that his last effort on her behalf may have tightened the wire to a point where it could crush the windpipe. She touched his head between his ears, stroking gently, aware of the bond strengthening between them. "I''m going to help you, now," she crooned softly. "Just hang on.".