turned to face her and pulled her lightly against him to anchor her position.
Her heart nearly galloped away when she hit the button to turn on the camera. The familiar high-pitched frequency signaling the battery charging was a sound she’d always taken for granted and barely noticed. Under these circumstances, it sounded like a warning siren.
Chance’s hand rubbed her arm in a silent communication that everything was all right.
The battery charged and the red light glowed its go-ahead. The light was tiny, but in this utter darkness became enough for her to glance back at Chance with his look of intense concentration.
She smiled. He winked in return.
She took a deep breath and brought the camera up in front of her, simultaneously giving him a nod.
The lamp’s soft light became a glaring sun, and for a moment she was blinded by it.
As her eyes adjusted, she had to fight the rising panic in her chest. The ceiling of this room was a black, lumpy sea—a solid mass of small mammals folded in upon themselves, dangling by their claws.
Kyndal snapped quickly, getting in four shots before there was any movement.
What caused the stir, she couldn’t be sure—the camera
shutter, the light or merely their presence?—but hundreds of sets of wings started to unfold and then the room swirled in a torrent of ebony movement. It was like being within two feet of a tornado. The wind from the flapping beat against her face making her gasp as she held the button for shot after shot.
Most of the bats stayed within the confines of the flock, but a few renegades dove toward her and Chance. She stifled a scream as something fluttered against her hair.
An arm like a metal bar circled her waist and pulled her against a body indistinguishable from the limestone wall except it was warm and inviting—and most definitely male. Somehow Chance managed to hold the light with his right hand as his left clutched her tightly. His chin closed down on the top of her head, covering her, protecting her from the onslaught. “Hold on, babe. They’ll be gone in a couple of seconds.”
As if obeying his command, the mass shot out of the opening, and the rush of beating wings faded to unnatural silence.
Kyndal fought to calm her breathing, which came in sputtering gasps, sobs without any accompanying tears.
Chance’s hold on her didn’t loosen, but his jaw slid down across her temple until his mouth hovered above her ear. “Shh. It’s okay. They’re gone. Shhhh.” He took deep breaths, his strong arm pulling her in and then relaxing, setting a pace. When her breathing matched his, he finally eased his grip.
“I don’t want to scare you.” His chuckle made her swing around to face him. “They don’t stay gone very long. In fact, they’re probably on their way back now.”
They ran from the room, scooping up backpacks as they passed. With the lamp still shining in one hand, Chance slung his pack over his shoulder and grabbed her. He pulled her out a different opening than the one they entered from and then ducked through another before switching off the lamp.
The sound of beating wings could be heard in the distance, coming closer with every breath. The sound grew to a roar then whoosh! It was gone. All was quiet again.
She could hear Chance unzipping his pack and fumbling around. In a moment, the soft light of his lantern showed her the small cavern they’d taken refuge in.
As if somebody had pulled a plug, the strength drained from her body. She sank to the floor and lay back, resting the camera on her stomach.
Chance squatted beside her, shining the light onto her face. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just feeling the passing effects of the adrenaline rush.” She pushed the lantern away. “Now get that thing out of my eyes.”
“Reeeow!” Chance did a good imitation of a mad cat.
She hissed in return, and they laughed together as she sat up. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.” She turned the camera back on, and they scanned through the images of the bat cavern.
Several were of exceptional quality. One of a bat coming right at her.
“That’s probably the little bastard that got in your hair.”
“Eewww!” The thought sent a shiver down her spine. Then she remembered the feel of Chance’s body against her, his arm pulling her close. “Thanks for shielding me and—and for steadying me.”
“I’m glad to be a part of it. These are good, Kyn. Really good.” The admiration in his voice