When the helicopter landed, it wasn’t Boise as Everleigh hoped. Instead, it settled onto the desert with a soft thud where a truck sat in the open. Alone. 

Despite Everleigh questioning where they were, Boss unshackled her and pulled her out of the helicopter like a toddler from a car seat. Her gaze darted about, but it was dry earth as far as she could see, with a breeze picking up dust particles and swirling them into miniature cyclones before dissipating. 

When Boss was ready to move, he yanked on her chain like a master correcting its canine, and she shuffled forward, following him. 

“Where are we?”

“You mean you don’t recognize it?” Boss arched a brow. “You killed three of my men here.”

“The bunker,” Everleigh whispered and was officially confused about why he brought her to the location. 

As they rounded the lone truck, a slender woman with wild hair leaned against it with the heel of her boot hitched on the bumper as if she had all the time in the world. Lazy curls of smoke drifted from the cigarette between her fingers, and it escaped from her nose as she greeted them.

“It’s about time.” She kicked off of the bumper. 

“You know I hate it when you smoke.” Boss shook his head at her.

The woman flicked the cigarette onto the sand and stubbed it with her boot while eyeing Everleigh. “So this is her? The one water-boy can’t live without?”

Everleigh’s gaze danced from the woman to Boss as flutters of hope tickled her stomach lining. Certainly, she was speaking of Corbin! The woman approached her with a smirk as she sized her up from head to toe. Grabbing Everleigh’s chin, she moved her face from side to side, examining her. Once she was satisfied, she scoffed while stepping back.

“And I’m to believe she’s responsible for killing your men here? She’s tinier than me!”

Boss exhaled a breath and crossed his arms. “Zia, you saw the surveillance video, and you saw when they brought her here, so why ask silly questions you already know the answers to?”

“It was you?” Everleigh gasped as a memory flashed back to laying on the ground in the bunker. She knew she heard a female’s voice somewhere in that haziness. “So, I did hear you...”

Zia ignored her and shifted back to Boss. “Shall we proceed?” 

“Yes.” Boss pulled on Everleigh’s chain, and the both of them followed behind Zia as she walked forward. 

Other than the helicopter and truck, there was nothing for miles, but after a few feet, Zia crouched. To the naked eye, she was just hunched over dry earth, but then she opened a hatch in the ground, causing a layer of sand to slide off. 

The memory of being in the bunker was still blurry, but Everleigh could recall creeping up a wooden set of stairs and bursting through a door, where the sunlight blinded her before killing the third man.

  Now it was apparent she emerged from a hole in the ground, designed to blend with the desert. Clever.

Boss unshackled Everleigh and pushed her toward the bunker’s entrance. “Go on.”

“Wait!” she dug her heels into the ground and clung to his shirt, panicking. “I don’t understand. Are you going to kill me here?”

“Scared of the dark?” Zia laughed and then turned to Boss. “I thought she was supposed to be tough?”

“Get in there!” Boss shoved Everleigh forward, fraying his sleeve in the process. Her body trembled as she stumbled backward into the dark hole with the torn material of his sleeve clutched in her hands. “Just remember you still have those explosives on your wrists, so don’t try anything stupid down there.”

With that, he slammed the wooden door shut and dust particles blew into Everleigh’s face, stinging her eyes. She coughed to clear the amount she had inhaled and used the ripped piece of shirt to wipe her watering eyes. A creaking noise down the steps reminded her that there was a purpose for being shoved inside the bunker again. Instinctively she reached for her knives, but her hands came up empty since they were no longer there. Her next resort? She went for the hidden Derringer, but it too had been removed at some point. 

Without her weapons, Everleigh was at a disadvantage, but her father taught her that anything could be used in a pinch. Never underestimate the power of your very limbs, he would say.

Curling her fingers into fists, she tip-toed down the steps. There was dim light the first time she was in the bunker, but this time, it was dark, causing the shadows to take on ominous forms. When she got to the bottom of the steps, she flattened herself against the wall and slowly slid forward, cautious of the sounds beyond it. She poked her head around the corner to peek at what awaited, but something whipped past her face. Drawing her head back, she prepared to fight and snatched the fist, which barely missed her nose. 

With swift motions, she twisted the arm back while slipping behind the person. She used the momentum of their attempt to fight back and slammed their body into the wall. However, the person was strong and pushed off it while dropping to their knees and pulling Everleigh’s body over their head like a potato sack. She landed on her back with a thud, the breath temporarily taken from her lungs. As she took in a big gulp of air, the person’s heavy body pinned her down, and despite her frantic clawing and kicking, she couldn’t get loose.

“Everleigh!” the voice shrilled.

Even in the dark, she knew that voice. “Corbin?”

“Oh, Everleigh...” his voice cracked as he rolled off of her, but they remained lying on the floor, gazing at one another through the dark. “Did I hurt you?”

“Just a little.” She extended her hands, feeling the smooth skin over his sharp cheekbones and the sand-paper stubble along his jawline. “It is you!” 

Taking her hands in his, he kissed them. “Thank God you’re alive. Where are they keeping you?”

“Alcatraz.”

“Alcatraz? But they told us Boise. Your brother will be looking for you there.”

“You talked with Armis?” The pitch in Everleigh’s voice filled with hope. “Please tell me he’s alright!”

“I haven’t.” Corbin leaned his forehead against hers. “Before they took you, they said they were taking you to Boise. That’s the last time I saw him. I’m sorry.”

“What do you mean? Why aren’t you with my brother?”

“I tried to take your place,” he replied with a caress to the cuts on her face. “I told them what I am.”

Everleigh closed her eyes. “Why would you do that? It didn’t work last time, remember?”

Taking her face in both hands, he said, “Because you’re the only person I’ve cared about in a long time and the only one who gives a damn about me.”

“That’s not true.” She stroked his face, and his Adam’s Apple bobbed with a swallow.

“You don’t care about me?” 

“I do!” she clarified. “I meant that I’m not the only one who cares. You have family who cares too. I just have Armis.”

“And me.”

“And you.” She nuzzled her nose against his, and for the first time, she was allowing her protective wall to come down. 

Making the first move, she crashed her mouth against his, inciting his fingers to delve into her hair and hold the back of her head to deepen the kiss. It had been just a few days away from one another, yet it felt like ages. The soft sensation of her velvet lips against his dry ones was new and familiar. But it wasn’t enough as she tasted his mouth and invaded it like swift steps in a waltz. 

There was a pause in Everleigh’s kissing as she wondered how much time they had together? Meanwhile, Corbin seemed determined as he explored her flesh by slipping a hand under her shirt to touch the smooth contours of her stomach. Her muscles flexed from nerves, causing him to smile against her lips. 

Then, he slid his fingers down and slowly slipped them beneath the material of her jeans. It was too much and too fast. Not to mention being in a dusty bunker, so Everleigh gripped his wrist, stopping him.

“What’s wrong?” He kissed her.

“I’m not ready for that.”

Corbin closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. “For a moment, I forgot where we were...”

“Me too. I’ve never done this type of thing before, and I want it to be with you. I do. Jus not—”

“Not here in this dirty bunker?” He kissed her. “I understand, Everleigh. You don’t have to explain, but I promise that as soon as I get you out of this mess...” He bobbed his brow at her, and a giggle erupted from deep in her belly, along with a grin spreading across her face. “There’s that beautiful smile I love.” He nuzzled her nose. “In the meantime, I’m working on keeping you safe.”

“What do you mean?”

“As long as I’m witching water for them, they won’t hurt you. If they lay a finger on you, then I’m done with them.”

“How? You can’t just quit.”

“Don’t worry about that part.” 

“Corbin...” She cupped his face. “Please don’t hide things from me. Explain.”

He shook his head again.

“Corbin!” Everleigh said more sternly. “What did you say to them?”

“My life for yours, Everleigh. That’s the way it’s been since the day we met. Only now, if they harm you, it will be mine for yours. Because without a water witcher, they have nothing.”

“No.” Everleigh pushed away from him and bolted upright. “Why would you even threaten such a thing!”

Corbin sat up and attempted to pull her into bis arms, but she jerked away. So, he tried again, but she stubbornly stood and dusted her knees. 

“Everleigh, don’t be this way.”

Tears began rolling down her face. “Promise me you won’t kill yourself to protect me.”

“I can’t promise that.”

“Yes, you can! Armis will find a way to get me out of this mess. I know he will. So threatening to end your life to spare mine is STUPID.” 

The creaking sound of the hatch opening echoed through the bunker, and both of them twisted their necks toward the entry. Any tension between them dissolved as Everleigh clung to Corbin, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. 

Daylight filtered through the darkness, making them repeatedly blink as their pupils adjusted. Boots clomped down the wooded steps until Boss appeared around the corner. 

“Times up.”

“No.” Everleigh held onto Corbin.

“It’s ok.” He rubbed her arms, but she shook her head.

“It’s not. We need more time!” 

“You don’t make the rules!” Boss barked. “It’s time.”

Corbin kissed her temple and nudged her forward, but she clung to him even tighter. Only this time, her body trembled as she clutched a fist-full of his shirt while glaring at Boss. 

“I don’t have all day for your pouty face!” Boss shouted.

“You’ll have to drag me away!” 

“Everleigh, please, go with him,” Corbin pleaded. 

Despite her trembling, there was zero terror in her eyes as she glared at Boss in a challenge. But it was short-lived as Boss lunged forward and yanked her out of Corbin’s arms. Like a cat scared of water, she shrieked and clawed wildly, but it was of no use as Boss threw her over his shoulder.

She bucked and screamed, reaching for Corbin, but Boss stomped up the stairs paying her no mind. 

“Everything will be ok, Everleigh. I promise you,” Corbin said as he hurried alongside them.

By the time they got to the top and out into the open, Everleigh was losing strength from all of her wailing and kicking. Her limbs weakened, and she dangled loosely in Boss’s arms, with tears rolling down her cheeks, hyperventilating. Zia, who was standing by watching, rolled her eyes and ordered Corbin at gunpoint to get on his knees. He did as he was told and placed his hands behind his head while watching Boss shove Everleigh into the helicopter. He could hear her desperate gasps of panic and Boss shouting at her to hush.

“What the hell is her problem?” Zia practically spat as her face contorted with disgust.

“She’s just scared! But if you let me talk to her, I can calm her down.” 

Zia studied him, then glanced over at the helicopter as Everleigh’s hyperventilating floated through the air while Boss struggled with buckling her in. 

“Up.” She motioned with her gun. “Just to calm her. That’s it.”

“I promise.”

From a distance, the sound of an open palm slapping against flesh rung out, and Corbin lost his composure. He charged toward the helicopter with Zia on his heels, shouting, but they were words he could not comprehend at the moment. His focus was zeroed in on the aircraft, and Boss, like a direct beam of hatred so hot it would make magma feel glacial. 

Right as he was just a few feet away, strong hands latched onto his arms and held him back as Zia’s men forced him to the ground. He bucked and kicked in their grasp, but it was two men against one, and they were much stronger. Dust swirled as Zia stepped in front of them, her gun trained on Corbin’s forehead.

“You fool!” she spat out.

“We made a deal, Zia! No one touches her!”

Hearing this, Boss glanced over his shoulder as if just noticing the commotion. So, he turned slowly and folded his arms with an expression that said he didn’t have time for something so trivial.

“What’s the problem, Zia?”

“He heard you strike the girl.” 

“And?” He raised a brow.

“And we made a deal!” Corbin shouted.

“No,” Boss laughed with a sigh. “I said you would get to see her, and as long as you can prove to us your skills at witching water, then your little friend wouldn’t be harmed. That was the deal! However.” He stepped forward and shook his finger. “The deal hasn’t begun yet. Not until I see water. Got it?”

“Got it,” Corbin said through grit teeth, but Everleigh’s hyperventilating was still rolling through the air like radio waves. “But at least let me try calming her down?” 

“She’ll be fine.”

“Please. Let me help her.”

“Just let him try,” Zia interjected. “Otherwise, she’ll annoy you during the entire flight to Alcatraz.”

“Fine.” Boss nodded.

Giving the signal with a flick of the wrist, Zia’s men released Corbin, and he swatted their hands away as he got to his feet, dusting himself off. Boss barely stepped aside when he approached but reminded Corbin not to try anything clever and flashed the remote control to the explosive cuffs. 

Even with the deal, Corbin knew he didn’t completely control the situation, but at least it was buying him time. When he peered into the aircraft, Everleigh was leaning back in her seat, her frantic eyes scanning the ceiling as she gave off short bursts of breath.

“Everleigh.” He whispered, and her head snapped forward. “Sweetheart... You’re ok. You’re ok, but you’re having a panic attack, so I need you to breathe with me.”

He placed her hand on his chest and began breathing steady breaths for her to follow. They inhaled and exhaled breaths together, her tears rolling down her cheeks as he caught them with a knuckle. It wasn’t like her to appear so vulnerable, and at the rate she and Armis were going, she was bound to break at some point. He just didn’t expect it to be so soon. As her heart rate eased, he kissed her lips firmly and rested his forehead against her.

“I can’t go back there,” she whimpered.

“I know, but it’s not for long. I’m working on a plan, so just hold on. Stay strong.”

“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid for my sake. Please, Corbin.” She pressed delicate kisses on him, her energy spent. “Please promise me. I can’t lose another—”

“Shhhhh,” he cooed. “As long as I can find them water, everything will be fine. And I WILL find water. The way you are with knives, that’s how I am with water, so don’t you worry.”

“Times up.” Boss pounded the door. “We need to get back before sundown.”

Corbin took in one last kiss, and when he pulled away, he looked into Everleigh’s eyes, committing their honey color in the sunlight to memory. He needed to remember her face to get him through the task for Zia. Even with the fatigue pulling the corners of Everleigh's eyes and mouth downward, she was beautiful to him. 

As he caressed her cheekbones with his thumbs, tempted to steal another kiss, he realized, as crazy as it seemed considering the amount of time, he was falling hard for Everleigh. Perhaps even in love with her. Then, without thinking about it, the words blurted out.

“I love you.”

“What?” Her skin brightened in color, springing her to life as she sat up in the seat. 

She was about to open her mouth to respond when Boss dragged Corbin out of the helicopter and threw him onto the dirt like a trash bag. Then, he re-entered the helicopter and slammed the door shut. 

From the window, Everleigh watched Corbin’s body become smaller and smaller as they ascended into the ocean of clouds bright with setting sunlight. As much as it ached to depart on such a surprise, she would hold onto Corbin’s last words and use them as a reminder to not give up the fight. 

She would find her way to freedom and her way back to him!