Read Online Shadow Bones by Colleen Rhoads - Free Book Online Page B

cold inside the mine, he trod along the corridor to a place where it terminated in another hall. Another minute and he would bolt out of here.
    The panic began to surge even more and he turned to leave. He almost didn’t see the form on the floor in the dim light from the lone bulb above his head.
    â€œSkye?” He knelt beside her and touched her face. His own panic eased as he looked her over. A trickle of blood ran from a cut on her head. The pulse in her neck beat strongly against his fingers. Good. He rolled her gently on her back and checked for any broken bones. His cell phone was in his pocket fortunately, and he pulled it out. No signal underground. He’d have to go outside to place the call.
    Did he dare to leave her alone? “Skye,” he said.“Wake up.” The canteen attached to his belt still held a bit of water. He unscrewed the cap and upended the container over Skye’s face. Splatters of water hit her face. She murmured and moved her head from side to side. Then she sputtered, and her eyes opened.
    â€œWhat’d you do that for?” She tried to sit up, batting his helping hands away. “I’m fine.”
    â€œAt least you’ve still got your spunk,” he said dryly. He slipped his arm around her back in spite of her protest. “What happened?”
    The walls felt like they were closing in on him. He had to get her on her feet and get out of here. His heart pounded against his chest as though it would beat him out of the mine.
    She groaned and held her head. “Someone hit me.”
    Jake caught his breath. “Did you see who it was?”
    â€œNo, it came from behind me.” She looked at the canteen in his hand. “Any water left?”
    â€œHere.” He handed her the canteen, and she took a swig then grimaced. “Tastes like metal.”
    â€œThat critical spirit is going to get you in trouble.” He tried to smile, but the panic was building by the second.
    Her lips turned up a bit. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it. Thanks for the water.” She handed him the canteen then groaned again when she tried to get up. “My head’s killing me.”
    â€œWe need to have a doctor look at you. You could have a concussion.”
    â€œI’m fine.” But she didn’t shrug his arm away when he helped her to her feet. She swayed a bit then stood firmer.
    He wished he could see better. “Are you feeling stronger?”
    â€œI think so. My head still hurts though.” She touched her head. “Feels like a goose egg up there.”
    â€œLet’s get out where I can see it.” He led her toward the door, but she stumbled. A light shone over head, so he made himself stop and probe her thick hair. “It’s cut a little, too. We need to get you to town.”
    And get him out of this mine before he puked.
    Skye shivered. “My mom will take care of me. Can you drive me?”
    â€œThat’s a dumb question.” He helped her outside, trying not to hurry her too much, though he wanted to bolt. The air never felt so good. Breathing in the fresh air greedily, he felt the tension ease from his shoulders.
    He helped her to the SUV and got her into the passenger side, then got under the steering wheel. “Should I lock up the mine?”
    She shook her head. “We never lock it.”
    â€œSo anyone can come in and tamper with the machinery?”
    She bit her lip. “I never thought about it like that. We don’t even have a key for the place.” She shrugged. “I don’t guess it matters, since we’re going to shut it down.” Her face changed. “Oh, I forgot my box! Would you mind going back after it?”
    He’d rather eat raw fish. He swallowed hard. “Where is it?”
    â€œOn the floor near where you found me.”
    His manhood wouldn’t let him tell her he fearedgoing back inside. Setting his jaw, he nodded. “Lock the doors while