Worth Dying For Read Online Free

around or even close her eyes. Amber couldn’t move.
    Using a technique she’d employed during those first, difficult months without Tom, Amber tried to focus her mind away from her fear and onto something else. David’s gentle snores held her attention for a moment and she listened to its rhythm…until he gasped and held his breath for so long, she began to panic about that too. Just as she thought she might have to save his life, he finally sucked in another ragged breath and resumed his snoring.
    She tried instead to concentrate on the sound of the waves lapping at the shore and the smell of the ocean carried on the breeze but to no avail. Each time the wind caused the tent to sway, Amber’s body lurched around in the direction of the movement, preparing to face whatever it was trying to tear its way in to get her.
    Just as she decided David was going to have to wake up and check outside before she died of a fear-induced heart attack, her terror lifted. Just like that. Seconds earlier, adrenaline had been coursing through her veins so thick and fast that she knew she would have to run like hell or stay where she was and die from fright…but now, the only sensation coursing through her was absolute exhaustion.
    Her stomach churned, refusing to believe that the crisis was over, but Amber found her heart beat slowing down to normal and the tension seeping out of her bones, almost against her will. Her brain was no more ready to stand down from battle mode than her insides were, but she managed to take what seemed like her first full breath in hours and collapsed sideways onto her bunk. Her muscles unclenched and she stretched out her legs to kick off her boots, groaning as her thighs protested at the movement.
    Amber knew at some point she’d have to deal with whatever the fuck it was that just happened, but for now, she couldn’t handle thinking or feeling one more thing. Fatigue pinned her to the bunk and she sighed in relief as the safe embrace of sleep gathered her in.

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Returning to his underground home a few hours before dawn, Bane vowed to be more careful around the humans in future. The woman—Amber—had sensed him. He’d been able to hear her racing heart and smell her fear from thirty feet away. Terrifying her had not been his intention. Bane had simply hoped they would discuss their plans in a little more detail so he could prepare to divert them if necessary.
    Bane entered the living area of the cave and looked towards his bed, grimacing as he acknowledged he wouldn’t be using it any time soon. Sleep was a luxury rather than a necessity, and he would do without until they left. But he couldn’t do without clothing—who knew when and if further action would become necessary? He had to be ready for anything, including shielding his skin from the sun. Bane donned the only clothes he owned—jeans, boots and a T-shirt—and grabbed a black cloak from the recesses of a shelf. He twisted the piece of dense, closely woven fabric into a belt and knotted it around his waist with a sigh. Bane always hated the way any clothing restricted his movements and the cumbersome material encasing his torso only deepened his irritation, but there was no question of his not taking it with him—the cloak had given him a few minutes grace and saved him from a grisly death more than once.
    Shutting down the generator that powered the few items he needed for entertainment rather than comfort, he checked his cell had charged fully before putting it in silent mode and slipping into the pocket of his jeans. His life would be on hold for the next few days but if Ulrich should require Bane’s attention, he would have no choice but to take the call. Not that he’d be able to drop everything and go do his Master’s bidding this time. The old man would just have to send Solomon to clean up his latest mess. Bane had more important matters at hand and no time to help Ulrich win another of his petty,