‘That thing he’s carrying is a weapon,’ Nina added. ‘The Nephilim used it to destroy a city in China. They’ll use it again. They consider this their world – they think we’re animals, vermin. They want to wipe us out.’

‘And that arsehole’s helping them to save his own skin,’ said Eddie. He lined up the sights on Zan’s head as he lugged the tracker to the top of the spiral—

A noise from behind them.

‘Shit!’ Nina hissed. ‘Someone’s coming!’

There was nowhere to hide; they would be seen by Zan or his guard if they exited the tunnel’s mouth. Eddie looked back the way they had come. A light washed over the walls, its source hidden past a bend in the passage – but it was getting closer. Muffled footsteps reached them. Three people, more . . .

‘They’re going!’ Nina whispered. Zan descended the walkway, the armoured giant following. They rounded the pillar, backs turning towards her—

‘Come on!’ She ducked and scurried across the bridge. Eddie hesitated, then followed, Cheng and Barney behind him.

The guard passed out of sight. Nina increased her pace and ran into the empty chamber inside the pillar. The others darted after her. Eddie peered out . . .

The lights became visible in the tunnel. Not the shimmering glow of earth energy, but the steady beams of several torches – so it wasn’t just Sandra and Macy. ‘Who’s that?’ said Barney, concerned. ‘Sandra wouldn’t have let anyone down here.’

The answer came a moment later.

Wu Shun appeared in the tunnel mouth. Cheng jerked back into hiding with an involuntary gasp of fear.

‘What the fuck is she doing here?’ Eddie growled.

She was not alone. A Chinese man in the same dark clothing emerged behind her – then it was Barney’s turn to be shocked by another arrival. ‘It’s Sandra!’

A freezing hand clutched Nina’s heart. ‘Oh my God. Macy was with her!’

Eddie’s face became a mask of cold rage, hands tightening around the rifle. ‘If those fuckers have hurt her—’

But he didn’t move. If he showed himself, he would be dead in moments – the Chinese special ops team were all armed and ready. Instead he forced himself to observe, and wait.

Torch beams swept through the opening, glinting off the crystalline walls – then suddenly they clicked off, the intruders ducking back. Faint footsteps and Zan’s grunts told Eddie why: the translator and his escort had come around the spiral, and the tunnel was in their line of sight. Fortunately – or otherwise – both were concentrating on where they put their feet rather than looking up.

The two men continued round the pillar, passing from sight again. Wu reappeared, looking down the seemingly infinite shaft before staring across at the entrance to Nina and Eddie’s hiding place . . . then cocking her head at a message through an earpiece. She gave an order. Her companions turned to retreat—