The mechanical grinding grew louder, a rhythmic, iron-on-iron screech that vibrated through the frozen bedrock and rattled the loose bolts on the transport sled’s frame.Julian didn't command his men to fire. He simply stood like a monument of dark tungsten at the front of the tracking platform, his heavy tactical blade angled low, his massive shoulders entirely absorbing the bitter drafts cutting through the tunnel."Leo, cut the primary headlights," Vivian directed quietly.Her voice, coming from deep within the folds of Julian's massive ballistic coat, remained entirely devoid of panic. She didn't stay behind him. Moving with deliberate, smooth strides, her boots stepped onto the wet metal platform right beside his left hip."Vivian," Julian growled, his large hand instantly dropping down to clamp firmly around the back of her waist, his fingers digging into the heavy fabric to drag her a fraction of an inch behind his armor. "I told you to stay back. You don't play the hero wh
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