QUOTE : Cliff looked around for the woman he’d seen helping the others and saw no sign of her. Swearing, he tore through the wreckage in search of her. An explosion took out more of the ceiling. Rubble rained down on the other side of the pile he dug through. “Come on,” he whispered. “Where are you?”<br /><br />A moan reached his ears, followed by a cough.<br /><br />Leaping toward it, he grabbed slabs of concrete and flooring and tossed them aside, reducing the pile until he found her.<br /><br />Dust coated her like ash, powdering her braid and turning her skin a grayish white. She blinked up at him. Her forehead glistened with blood that oozed from a gash on one side.<br /><br />“It’s okay,” he told her. “I’m here to help. Don’t be afraid.”<br /><br />Her chin dipped in a brief nod.<br /><br />Another explosion hit what was left of the ground floor.<br /><br />Cliff swiftly leaned over to shield her as flaming bits rained down around them.<br /><br />As soon as it stopped, he knelt beside her.<br /><br />“Y-Your eyes are glowing.”<br /><br />“It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. I just want to help. Are you injured?” He swept his hands over her in a quick, impersonal search for injuries, concerned by the splotches of blood that marred her clothing.<br /><br />“Th-there’s a woman,” she said. “Sadie. Sh-she’s old. She can’t make it down the stairs.”<br /><br />“I already got her to safety. Are you Emma?”<br /><br />Surprise lit her dark brown eyes as she nodded.<br /><br />“I think your arm is broken, Emma. I need to bind it.” Tearing a strip of cloth from his T-shirt, he wrapped it around a deep gash on her arm. Then he tore another and—preternaturally fast—fashioned a sling.<br /><br />She moaned.<br /><br />“Sorry,” he said, knowing every movement caused her pain.<br /><br />Nodding, she gritted her teeth. Her lips pressed tightly together as he lifted her into his arms, spawning even more pain.<br /><br />“I’m sorry,” he said again as he dashed over to the elevator shaft.<br /><br />She looped her free arm around his neck and looked over his shoulder. Her hold tightened. “Mercenaries,” she whispered in his ear, her warm breath sending a shiver through him.<br /><br />“It’s okay,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll keep you safe.