"I'm not sure. Not far."
Jake frowned and turned, leading the way once more. The yellow beam of light danced away from the darkness, barely penetrating the thick gloom. It would be so easy to fall into a trap. Or walk, as she sensed they were doing.
The locket in her hand pulsed again. She clenched her fingers and let her senses flare to full life. Monica was on the move, running lightly through the tunnel. Fleeing, but not in fright. Nikki bit her lip. Something was happening, something she couldn't sense or understand.
Michael's tension washed heat across her back. Maybe he could sense the presence she merely guessed at.
"Jasper's not here,” he said softly. “But the zombies are. I think you and Jake should go back. I'll continue the hunt for Monica alone."
"Monica is our client's daughter,” Jake reminded him. “You go nowhere without us."
"The two of you will never match Monica's inhuman speed. You'll only get in my way." Jake turned. His flashlight pierced the darkness, almost sun-bright. “And by that are you suggesting you can match her inhuman speed?"
"Yes, I am.” Michael hesitated. “I don't like the feel of this. Take Nikki and head back to the entrance. You'll be safe there."
He was certainly determined to keep her away from Monica. What did he fear—that she'd try to stop him? “I'm not going anywhere. I've already told you that."
"Damn it Nikki, you've encountered the zombies once already. Do you really think you and Jake can survive a sudden attack from three of them?"
Though annoyance barely touched his voice, it seared through his thoughts, almost burning her. She stared at him several seconds. Perhaps he was right. She'd barely escaped an attack from two. Add the teenager and an extra zombie, and the odds weren't looking favorable—even with Michael on their side. Perhaps it was time to leave Monica to her fate.
Besides, she didn't like the feel of what was happening up ahead, either. She held up her hands. “Okay, okay. I'll retreat. Jake?"
He shook his head. “I think we owe it to Trevgard to see this thing through." Michael raised an eyebrow. “And did you not promise your wife to take no foolish chances?" Nikki glanced at him sharply. He'd obviously been reading Jake's thoughts, to know something as intimate as that. Maybe it was only her presence that stopped him from entering Jake's mind and forcing him to obey.
Jake glared at him. “Just how in hell did you know that?"
"As I said, Nikki is not the only one with psychic abilities. She should be your main concern here, not Monica."