The Angel's Covenant (The Covenant series) by Lynn Landes Page A

The smell of gas fills the night, and just before she passes out she hears him say in a demonic voice; “I have been waiting for you, Elsbeth. We are going to become close friends”

Ten
     
     
     
     
    The call came in and immediately Jake knew this was not a standard drop and recovery mission. Any time a Major General gets involved "complications" are bound to occur. Keeping his team safe and helping those in need were always his primary objective. That is what the Pararescue men train for. At 6 ft 2 inches and 215 pounds of rock hard muscle Jake traine d hard and thrived on the job.
    Sitting in the briefing room, Jake and his team of seven are being briefed on the mission.
"Locals call this stretch here the Mountain of the Dead." The Major says pointing to the surveillance footage.
"I've heard that name before" Jake says.  He continues, "It is home to over one hundred and fifty-six caves, and that does not include the ventilation shafts, and tunnels drilled to allow sun, and water in. The treacherous part will be the traps and buried mines that litter the face of the mountain."
    "Exactly ”, the major replies."Terrorist forces kidnapped three British aid workers and one U.S. aid worker six says ago. Her name is Heather Jones. Repeated attempts at negotiations have proved futile, and intelligence recorded a call that makes it urgent to get them out now. Using footage from our predator drones we have been able to narrow it down to two distinct caves. They have separated the women, which makes it more difficult. Major General Mark Turner has been in contact with the British government, they are briefing a Special Forces team to recover their aid workers. Your mission; rescue the American hostage. The British will not move until you are in place.”
    "Sir, where is our rendezvous point?" Jake asks.
"Our best option is to go in at night; high in the mountain valley here" the major states pointing at the map. “What goes on inside the caves is up to you and your team,” he continues. "That's how we like it," Lucas says stepping forward.  Looking at the group the major finishes, "Lucas, Thomas, Seth and Craig will handle security on this mission. Jake, take lead, the rest of you knows what to do.”
    Lucas takes his team members to the choppers to make sure they are ready, and Jake turns to his commanding officer and asks him , "So what makes this one woman a high priority? From the looks of the Intel they have a large group guarding her." Turning to look at Jake the major says, "Our Intel recorded a phone call telling them to execute her in the morning. They were told to make an example of her, to remind the Americans they will never be safe."
"Time to get going then and bring her home," Jake says walking away.
     
     
     
    While in flight the team listens to an update from the Intel officers in the control room. Speaking into his headset he tells his team “We are going to take this nice and easy, I do not want to spook them. Intel does not say what condition she will be in, so we need to hydrate her and be ready to sedate her if needed."
    Over the drone of the helicopter they hear , "Inbound to insertion point, one minute.” Flying in low the chopper hovers long enough for the team to deploy to the ground. It's a three mile hike through heavy brush and trees. Jake takes point and the team moves cautiously through the dark toward the caves. Moving into position Jake points toward the three guards posted outside and speaking softly says, "On my mark, take them out quietly, and three of you set up a perimeter. Lucas your team follows me. Let’s go get her."
    Jake keys his radio mike three times to signal control that his team is in position and ready. A minute later they get the signal to go. Motioning to his team they move into action. As the shooters take down the three guards, Jake and his boys are already slipping through the mouth of the cave.
    Moving quickly and quietly they spread out, weapons ready. Stepping