Chapter 20

"One last thing." Minerva raised her hand, which was still tightly intertwined with Lucas', making sure Benedict saw it. She even gave their clasped hands a little shake right in front of him. Then, without sparing him another glance, she turned with Lucas, and the two of them began to walk away. Just then, something unexpected happened. A massive explosion erupted directly in front of them. "Watch out!" "Get down!" Both Benedict's and Lucas' expressions changed in an instant. They lunged toward Minerva at the same time. Another deafening blast followed, sending a wave of shrapnel flying, carried by the force of the explosion. In a heartbeat, the three of them were buried under a cloud of smoke and falling debris. Screams and cries rang out, only to be abruptly silenced by the crushing weight of the rubble. "Minerva! Are you okay?" In the darkness, Minerva could just barely make out Lucas shielding her with his body. She reached out with trembling fingers to touch him. "I'm