Semper Mine (Sons of War #1)(39)

“I don’t think I can reach it and Jenna.”

“Petr’s here. Give me thirty seconds.”

I have no clue what he’s planning. His calm voice helps me focus, and I maneuver my way down through more roots and branches, closer to Jenna.

“You okay, sweetie?” I ask softly. “I’m almost there. Then Captain Mathis will help us up. Okay?”

Jenna nods, crying.

Another careful step down, and I reach out to her, taking her forearm. Unaware of how delicate my position is, she grabs me. One of the branches beneath me sags dangerously, and I shift to drape a leg over a sturdier branch and haul her warm body into my arms. She curls against me. I hiss through clenched teeth, struggling to balance us.

We’re too heavy. Both branches begin to move beneath my weight, and I start to panic. “Jenna, honey, I need you to put your feet on this branch.”

She’s clinging to me, crying and shaking.

“Jenna, please! Just … try to stay calm and … focus on this branch.” I can’t keep my tone steady, and I’m losing my grip on one of the branches overhead. With one of my arms around her, I’m not in a position to move more than my legs.

The scuff of boots against wood draws my eyes upwards. With effortless ease I don’t think I’ve ever felt for physical exertion, Captain Mathis is scaling downwards quickly. He reaches us and pauses a couple of feet up, where the branches are thicker and sturdier, then loosens one of the ropes around him, using the second to secure himself into place.

“Pass her up,” he says quietly, holding out one hand. I take in his roped forearm and the bulging biceps and decide he’s got a much better chance of getting Jenna to safety than I do.

My position is far from steady. My abs and thighs are screaming from remaining in place at the odd angle. I shift the best I can and tighten my grip on the branch above then carefully draw one knee towards my chest to push Jenna’s bottom up.

“Jenna, hon, you need to help me,” I say, straining. Cold fear is expanding within me, and I’m both terrified I’ll lose my grip on her and certain if I stretch too much farther to push her up to him, I’ll fall.

“Jenna, give me your hand.” Captain Mathis’ voice is firm and calm.

The girl in my arms unfolds, and I struggle to counterbalance us with her movements. She meets my gaze briefly before looking up.

“C…captain Mathis, I want bacon again,” she says, eyes welling with more tears.

Again? It wasn’t on the menu at all. Not that this is the right time to discuss breakfast.

“I’ll see what I can do,” he replies. “On the count of three, place your foot on that branch at your knee and climb towards me. This is like the wall you climbed over earlier today. Piece of cake. Right?”

Jenna doesn’t answer, but she’s stopped crying and is listening.

“One.”

She shifts, and I grunt. I don’t need to look down to know the branch under my right foot is getting ready to snap.

“Two.”

She pushes at me with one hand to maneuver her foot.

Instinctively, I press Jenna against the muddy wall. She dangles dangerously. A split second later, my hurt wrist gives out the same time the branch snaps. Fear tears through me as my balance is thrown.

“Gotcha.” Captain Mathis snatches my forearm.

“Holy f*ck!” I breathe.

“Three, Jenna.” Secured by a rope, he’s got two hands free, one holding me while the other stretches towards her. “Katya, move your right foot up about six inches. That should hold you.”

I’ll never understand how he can sound so calm when I’m two seconds from plunging to my death. There are tears on my face, and I want to break down and sob. His steadiness helps me, and I shift my foot until it finds the rock jutting from the side of the ravine.

Jenna glances at me fearfully before shakily pushing herself up and reaching out to Captain Mathis. He grabs her. With my other hand free, I rebalance myself and tug my arm out of his grip. When I’m stable, I watch him quickly and expertly secure the rope around her in a way that she can’t possible fall out of it.

“Petr!” He calls when he’s done. “Sixty five pounds.”

“Got it!”

Seconds later, Jenna starts upward slowly.

As soon as she leaves his arms, Captain Mathis motions to me. My muscles are burning and I force them to cooperate. He takes my wrist again and pulls me upward with strength I know he possesses but which surprises me nonetheless. It takes a minute or two before he can reach me well enough for his arm to circle my midsection and draw me against him. I find a sturdy branch for my feet and he leans into me, pressing me between his warm body and the cold, muddy wall.

“You okay?” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear.

“Sorta.” I’m shaking from exertion and cold.

He wraps his other arm around me. “Relax for a minute.”

I think you mean – go ahead and collapse. I keep my trap closed and listen to him, comfortable in his arms once more. My muscles are burning.

“I’ve got you, Katya,” he says in the gentle tone he used last night. “Catch your breath then we’ll move.”

“Did I mention that I hate camping?” I mumble.

“You’re doing fine, Katya.”