Rogue Angel - The Spirit Banner Part 39

Annja watched it lift up and out of the narrow confines of the canyon, knowing beyond a doubt that it would be back.

She knew that she didn't want to be there when it returned.

Annja glanced at the far side and realized this was their chance. The helicopter attack had thrown the Mongol formation into chaos. They were far too concerned with helping their wounded to watch the fugitives on the bridge.

If they were quick enough, they might just make it across, Annja thought.

Her gaze met Davenport's and she knew he was thinking the same thing.

Annja threw herself into motion, doing all she could to get across the remaining third of the bridge without being hit by gunfire from Ransom's men or being seen by the Mongols.

Fate chose that moment to step into the fray.

The next plank looked st.u.r.dy enough, but it gave way the moment Annja stepped solidly onto it. She plunged downward, her leg sinking deeper into the hole while she scrambled frantically for a purchase to stop her fall.

When she had, she found herself trapped, her leg pushed through the shattered plank all the way up to midthigh, the other one bent at the knee, while she clutched frantically to another plank several feet ahead.

"Annja!" Davenport cried, the fear looming large in his voice.

"I'm okay," she answered, fighting to stop her heart from popping out of her throat.

That had been too close.

But Davenport hadn't seen her fall; he hadn't even been looking in her direction, Annja discovered, as she twisted around to look at him.

Instead, his attention was captured by the sight of the helicopter thundering toward them in an attack run from above.

Time slowed.

Annja could hear the pounding of her heart mixing in counterpoint with the thunder of the helicopter's rotors, the two booming in syncopation. She could feel the gentle breeze from the evergreens caressing her face, teasing her nose with the smell of pine laced with the stink of aviation fuel. She could see Davenport's mouth open, could hear his furious scream, as he threw himself toward her.

As the helicopter dove toward them, Annja closed her eyes.

The 12 mm slugs went off with a roar, cutting through the bridge like a knife.

For just an instant Annja and Davenport hung in s.p.a.ce, the bridge around them seemingly intact.

Then the badly damaged structure broke in two and plunged downward, taking the two of them with it.

Davenport's hand brushed against her own and instinctively she grabbed for it, catching him about the wrist just as they started their fateful plunge.

The bridge fell in two sections. The far edge carried the two of them away with it. Their weight sent it hurtling toward the cliff face below where the Mongols were now firing what seemed like everything they had at the pa.s.sing chopper.

Annja had time to think this is going to hurt this is going to hurt, and then she was slamming against the side of the chasm with what felt like bone-crus.h.i.+ng force.

Miraculously, Annja did not let go of Davenport despite the impact.

She gritted her teeth in pain; her arms screamed in agony with the weight they were suddenly supporting, but she refused to let go.

Do. Not. Let. Go, she told herself.

When they stopped moving, Annja was hanging by one leg upside down in the remains of the bridge with Davenport slung beneath her, the only thing connecting them their mutual holds on each other's wrists.

He looked up at her, the fear bright in his eyes.

"Don't drop me," he said in a whisper.

Annja couldn't even find the energy to speak against the pain roaring through her arms.

She knew they couldn't stay like this for long...

I N THE HELICOPTER N THE HELICOPTER , Ransom leaned forward with eager antic.i.p.ation. , Ransom leaned forward with eager antic.i.p.ation.

"Did you get them?" he asked.

Santiago peered anxiously through the windscreen and then shook his head.

"They're hanging on the remains of the bridge, about fifteen feet below the rim."

"Make another run. This time don't miss."

Ransom's voice was filled with savage satisfaction.

Before the pilot could carry out his employer's orders, however, the helicopter came under fire again from the Mongols on the cliff's edge. Arrows, spears and bullets smacked into the frame and the windscreen. The pilot reacted accordingly, doing what all pilots did when their aircraft was in pressing danger.

He got the heck out of there.

"Where are you going?" Ransom screamed, spittle flying from his mouth in his fury.

"Sir! We're under attack. I'm-"

"I don't give a rat's a.s.s what you think, you idiot! Get us back down there. Now!"

Wordlessly, the pilot spun the helicopter around and made another run at the spot where Annja and Davenport were hanging on for dear life.

A NNJA SAW DEATH COMING NNJA SAW DEATH COMING for them down the length of the chasm. for them down the length of the chasm.

Just another few seconds and the chain gun would let loose again. At that range, it would be hard for them to miss.

She knew their options had just been severely limited.

If they stayed here they were going to be killed.

She had to do something and she had to do it quickly!

All this flashed through her mind in the s.p.a.ce of a split second as she weighed options and tried to determine the best course of action.

Annja looked down toward the water far below.