Page 94 of Jude

“How about you?” asked Colton. “Are you out of the building yet?”

“We ran into a problem,” said Jude. “We’re on our way out now.”

“Not this way we aren’t.” Octavia pulled up short as they turned the corner and spotted a troop of guards.

Pulse laser blasted toward them. She threw herself backward, knocking into Jude as she did so.

“This way!” Tobias gestured for them to follow him.

The entered a high-ceilinged room with a large wooden table set against one wall. It was empty.

“Use this table.” The three of them dragged the table across the door. “That will give us a few more seconds.”

“To do what?” Jude turned to Tobias. “Wait to be blown up?”

Octavia hurried to the window. It was narrow, with no glass in it. It looked like it was made for shooting arrows through and not letting people out.

She squeezed herself through the gap. It was tight, but she would just about make it. She looked back at Jude and Tobias. There was no way they’d be able to get through.

Jude ran over to her. “Go! Get out if you can.”

She grabbed his hand. “Not without you.”

“We’ll find another way out,” said Jude. “You need to leave.”

A loud hammering started on the other side of the door.

“Get out!” Jude’s expression turned panicked. “You can’t die here.”

“Neither can you.” Octavia couldn’t leave him.

“Sounds like you could do with a hand.” Hell Cat sounded out of breath. “We’ve got your location. We’re coming for you.”

“We’ll hold them off,” said Tobias. “Octavia, you need to leave. The others are on their way.”

Her heart hammered in her chest. By the time they arrived, it would be too late.

Jude grabbed her and kissed her lips. “I have to know you’re safe.”

“You need to get out of there,” yelled Colton. “You’ve only got thirty seconds.”

Octavia’s eyes widened. “Come with me.”

“I wish I could.” Jude kissed her again.

Several loud blasts slammed into the door. The guards would be through any second.

Octavia squirmed back through the gap. She felt the stone grate against her hip bone as she forced herself through.

Tobias joined them by the window, his pulse laser on the door.

“I’m stuck!” Octavia felt her skin tear. She couldn’t move.

“Keep trying.” Jude pushed her, trying to get her through the gap.

“It’s no good.” Her skin was rubbed raw from forcing herself into the small space. “I’m coming back.”

“No! Try again.” Jude’s gaze was frantic.

“We’re out of time,” said Tobias.

Octavia reached for Jude as a deep rumble shot through the building and the world exploded around them.