TRINITY AWOKE TO THE GRAY MIST OF DAWN. She stretched, scraping her claws into the bark above her head. Last night had been long. Every time she’d drifted off, some noise would startle her awake. She really didn’t like being alone out here. She untied the rope around her chest and stuffed it and her blanket into her backpack. She shivered and ran her hands up and down her arms. Winter would be here soon. Hopefully, by then she’d be in a nice warm cabin and not still wandering the woods with Gaar and Mirra.
She strapped the backpack over her shoulders and crawled farther up the tree. Gaar said there was no reason to rush to death’s embrace; the smart prey waited before it moved from its resting spot. She found a branch that gave her a clear view of the area. Fog hung heavy over the lake, making it difficult to see. She waited. As the sun rose, the area cleared. Everything looked normal. She shimmied down to the ground.
When would Jethro show up? It’d been afternoon when he’d arrived yesterday. That was a long time away. She needed something to do. She could explore the other side of the lake. Maybe, she’d even find one of the secret passages. Gaar had said that the area was safe. She ignored the tiny voice in her head reminding her that he also said she should stay in the tree. She’d just entered the brush near the lake when she heard the rhythmic squeaking of Jethro’s chair. At least she was pretty certain it was his chair. She ducked behind some tall weeds just in case.
Jethro rolled out of the forest and into her line of sight. “Little One, are you here?”
He’d come back. She hadn’t been positive that he’d keep his word. The day suddenly seemed full of promise. She stepped into the clearing and he turned toward her. He was exquisite with the sun shining behind him making strands of his black hair look blue like his eyes.
He smiled at her. “There you are.”
She glanced away, suddenly shy. She had to remember that he was an Almighty.
“So, what do you want to do today?” He moved over to a fallen tree. “I brought breakfast.” He began rummaging through his backpack.
She was hungry. Hopefully, he’d brought more cookies. She followed and positioned herself on the other side of the tree. He pulled a container of water out of his backpack and handed it to her. She took a drink. She’d retrieved the other bottle after he’d left and had finished it late last night. He put another bottle on the trunk and then some strawberries, grapes and two items wrapped in paper.
He held out one of the wrapped things for her. When she didn’t move closer to take it, he frowned, removed the paper and took a bite. Her stomach grumbled. She moved closer and grabbed a bunch of the grapes. After she finished them, she started eating the strawberries.
“You should eat something besides fruit,” he said.
“Why?” She mumbled around a mouthful of strawberries, the juice running down her chin.
“Because...” He stared at her as she licked her lips and then sucked on each finger to clean it. His face took on an odd expression, like he was in pain.
“That’s not a reason,” she said.
He blinked and met her eyes, a blush creeping across his face. “Ahh, it won’t hold you over.”
“Hold me over for what?” She ate the rest of the strawberries.
“Until your next meal,” he said, glancing down her body and then quickly away.
“It usually does.” What was wrong with him? He was acting strange.
“Don’t you want the sandwich?” He gestured at the wrapped thing lying on the tree.
She took off the paper. “That’s a sandwich?” It didn’t look like any type of bread she’d ever seen. It was white and soft, almost mushy. “It looks funny.”
He took it back from her and turned it over in his hand, examining it.
“It’s white. I’ve never seen bread like that.” She pulled her backpack off her shoulders and took out the chunk of hard brown bread. “This is bread. Well…it should look kind of like this, but not so hard and usually the shape is more…loaf like. But it’s always brown. Not white.”
“Let me see that.” He placed the sandwich back on the wrapper and held out his hand.
It was all the food that she had. He shared with her so she should let him have some, but this had to last until Gaar returned. “You can’t have it all.”
He laughed. “I don’t want any of it. I just want to see it. I’ve never seen bread quite like this before. I mean, I’ve seen brown bread but that looks like a lump.”
She looked at the shapeless chunk in her hand. “It’s food.” She gave it to him.
He weighed it in one hand. “This is like a rock. How does it taste?”
Not too good. “It’s food,” she repeated.
He handed it back to her and she put it in her backpack.
“We have brown bread, but I like the white. Try it.” He pushed the sandwich toward her.
She picked it up and sniffed it. “It stinks. What’s in it?” She pulled off the top piece and poked at the brown stuff on the other slice. It was wet and cold.
“Bologna.”
She had no idea what that was.
“You know, lunchmeat,” he said.
She shook her head, wrinkling her nose. It smelled worse than the stuff Gaar had cooked. “No, thanks. I like rabbits.” She put the sandwich back together and handed it to him, wiping her hands on her pants.
He stared at her like she was crazy. “Okay. So, do I but what does that have to do with anything?”
Did she have to spell it out? “I don’t eat meat.”
“Really? You look a little like a House Servant. The ones I know love meat, especially bologna.”
“Well, I don’t.” How did he know she was part House Servant? If it was so obvious then why hadn’t the Lead Producers ever noticed? Of course, they probably never met any House Servants. Her dad was the only one she’d ever seen, and he’d warned her to stay away from the Almightys because they might recognize the House Servant in her. He’d been right. How long before Jethro realized that she was also part Producer? Nothing good could come from that. “I have to go. Thank you for the food.”
“Don’t leave. I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to talk about yourself. Consider me a slow learner. I won’t do it again.”
She sighed. She didn’t want to be alone. What difference could one more day make? “Okay.”
“Great. I told my mom that I was going to a friend’s house. She won’t expect me back until dark.”
“I thought you didn’t have any friends. Not since the accident.” Had he lied to her? Were other Almightys hiding in the bushes? She glanced around, but besides for a few birds it was quiet.
“I don’t, but my mom doesn’t know that. It would bother her, so I pretend to have friends and come down here to read. I can’t usually get away all day though. She worries about me.”
She used to do the same thing so her mom wouldn’t feel bad. “I don’t have any friends at home either.” She glanced at his legs. “I’m not like the other Pro…the others. That’s why they don’t like me.” She’d never said these things out loud before, but now that she was talking about them she didn’t want to stop.
“How are you different? Mine’s obvious.” He motioned to his legs.
She paused. Should she show him? It might actually help her conceal what she was. If Jethro described her to others, they wouldn’t think of Producer when he spoke of her claws and fangs. Plus, she was tired of hiding. It would be better to find out now if he thought she was a freak. “My ears. A little.” She pulled her hair back so he could get a better look at them. They lay long and flat toward the top of her head.
He shrugged. “They’re bigger than mine and farther up on your skull, but they aren’t that weird.”
She wiggled them and they shifted out, away from her head. She moved them again and they rotated toward her back.
“Can you hear better when you do that?”
He was curious, not disgusted. She nodded. “My hearing is pretty good anyway, but a lot better when I do that.” She flattened her ears and dropped her hair over them.
“I don’t understand why the other…” He looked at her expectantly.
She stared back. There was no way she was going to finish that sentence.
After a few minutes, he continued. “Why the others that you live with, whoever they are, have a problem with your ears. They’re really not that big of a deal.”
Should she continue? It felt good to show someone her real self. She took a deep breath. “That’s not all.” She raised her lips and showed him her teeth. Her canines were sharp and long.
“House Servants and Guards have teeth like that.”
His lack of shock over things she’d hidden all her life, things she’d been ashamed of, surprised her. She let her lips cover her teeth and smiled.
“Can I ask you something?”
She narrowed her eyes. Wasn’t she showing him enough? “Sure, but I might not answer.”
“Fair enough.” He stared at her, his blue eyes kind. “Is that why you smile with your lips closed?”
Her heart stilled. No one had ever asked her about that before, not even Travis. She nodded.
“If you want, you can smile normal around me. I like your teeth.”
She shot him a disbelieving look.
“No, really. I’ve always thought the Guards’ and House Servants’ fangs were impressive. I used to wish my teeth were like that.” He shrugged. “Silly, I know. I’m an Almighty and we don’t have cool teeth.”
He was serious. She smiled, lips closed and then slowly let them pull back, exposing her teeth. It was strange after all these years, but good.
“I’m glad that it was only because you have fangs. I thought you had rotten teeth or something.”
She quit smiling. Rotten teeth meant bad breath. Did her breath smell? He tried, unsuccessfully, to hide his grin. He’d been joking, teasing her.
“That’s not funny.” She swatted him playfully on the shoulder.
He tried to catch her hand but she was too fast. He laughed. “You must live with some weird folks because your differences are so different.”
There was only one thing left. She held out her hands, concentrated and the claws popped out from each fingertip. They were about two inches long and curled a bit at the tip.
He watched, unimpressed. “I hate to sound like a jerk, but all the House Servants that still have their claws can do that.”
She dropped her hands, retracting her claws. He didn’t think she was different. She should be glad that he thought she was normal, but for some reason she wanted him to think she was special. “I didn’t live with House Servants.” She bit her lip. Why did she say that?
“Who did you live with?” he asked, watching her closely.
She shook her head. She couldn’t tell him the truth but she didn’t want to lie either. He was the first person to accept her for who she was besides Gaar and Mirra. “My mother’s people.” There. That wasn’t a lie.
“What is she? What are you?” He studied her. “Your eyes, they’re large and round and the color is extraordinary. Gold. I’ve never seen anything like them.”
He liked her eyes. Randy had complimented her eyes too, but he’d been lying. “If you keep asking me questions, I have to go.”
“Come on, give me a break. You started this.”
He was right. “Yeah, but now I’m done. I’m leaving unless you promise to quit bugging me about who I am?”
“I’ll try, but I’m a curious guy.”
She fought back a smile. He was kind and funny and a little pushy. She’d never met anyone like him before. “I was going to explore around the lake.” Her cheeks heated slightly. “You know, look for the secret passages.”
His face fell a bit. “I can’t go too far off the trails.”
“Why? If there’s a rough spot I can push you.”
“No. I mean, I don’t like anyone to push me.”
It was understandable. He wanted to be independent, but in this case it was stupid. “Well, I guess you can wait here then. Your choice.” She walked toward the woods.
“Little One, don’t be like that. Come on.”
She kept going. She’d trusted him by showing him her claws and fangs. He should trust her enough to let her push his chair and if he didn’t…well, she shouldn’t hang out with an Almighty anyway. There was a slight sound behind her. She turned. He was making his way toward her. Their eyes met and held. She smiled wide, showing her teeth. He grinned back.
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Later, they sat dirty, sweaty and tired by the fallen tree where they’d eaten breakfast. They’d found nothing resembling a tunnel, but they’d talked and explored and she’d laughed more than she’d ever done in her life. It was a beautiful day and it was going too fast. It was already past noon.
Jethro pulled out some more food. He took the other sandwich, leaving the rest of the fruit for her.
“Did you bring any cookies?”
He shook his head. “No. They were all gone when I got home last night. I asked my mom to bake some more. She said if she had time she’d run to the store and get more chocolate chips.” He glanced at her. “I might have some tomorrow.”
That would be too late. “I can’t stay another day.” This was her last day before Gaar returned. She couldn’t risk him catching her with an Almighty. She was gambling enough not knowing when Mirra would arrive.
“Oh. Are you sure?” His eyes were sad.
She nodded. This was it, their last hours together. They finished lunch in silence.
He put the wrapper and empty bags into his backpack and pulled out a notebook and pencil. “Would it be okay if I sketched you?”
She wrinkled her brow. “What is that?”
He flipped through the pad of paper and then turned it toward her. There was a drawing of a robin on a tree branch. It was beautifully done.
“I’d like to draw you,” he said.
She leaned forward and ran her finger over the image of the bird. It was better than the ones in the books that she’d seen. “This is really good.”
He blushed slightly. “Thanks. So, can I?”
He looked so eager that she wanted to agree but what if someone saw his pictures. “No. I’m sorry.”
“Oh. Okay.” He frowned and closed the notepad.
“Can you teach me how to sketch?”
His eyes lit up. “Sure. It’s easy.” He flipped to a blank page. “We’ll start with something simple, like a flower or plant.” He moved over closer to the woods. “First, you get the general shape.”
She squatted by him, watching. After he was done, he handed her his notebook and the pencil. “Now, you try.”
She did. She wasn’t very good but he encouraged her. After several drawings, she handed him back his stuff.
“My hand hurts,” she said.
“The muscles in your hand get used to it after a while, but it takes practice.”
“Everything does,” she said disgustedly, remembering Gaar’s lessons.
“Do you want me to tell you another story?”
She nodded and stretched out on the ground. She hadn’t slept well last night and she was tired. He started talking about one of the statues and her eyes drifted shut. Suddenly, she sat straight up, a chill traipsing down her spine. They’d found her.
“Hey, you’re awake.” He closed his book. “You must have been exhausted. You slept for hours.”
“Shh.” She pulled back her hair and tilted her ears to catch the sound. It couldn’t be, but it was. Her pulse pounded and her stomach knotted.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, looking around.
“Guards on scent,” she whispered. They must have caught her trail after Mirra had left them. They were quite a distance away, but they were coming for her. She glanced toward the forest. Where was Mirra? “I have to go.”
“I don’t hear anything.”
“Trust me. They’re coming and I have to go, you should too.” They probably wouldn’t attack an Almighty, but she wasn’t positive. Guards could be dangerous.
“Why are they after you?” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Come home with me and I’ll hide you.”
It was tempting, but she couldn’t. According to Gaar, Mirra would find her. It wouldn’t be good for anyone if a Tracker invaded the home of an Almighty. “I can’t. It’s not safe.”
“I’ll protect you. I promise.”
She swallowed. “I can’t go to your house. You have Guards there.” That was the best excuse she could give without explaining too much.
“I still can’t hear them. Are you positive that they’re coming this way?”
She wasn’t sure how, but she knew they were hunting her. “Yes.” She’d never lose them. Her only hope was for Mirra to find her, but she couldn’t stay here. If she moved now, it would take them longer to catch up with her.
He looked around. “The island. That’s where you need to go. They’ll never think to search there.”
The island sat about one hundred yards away from the shore. The water was a good way to hide her scent but she had to run in it and keep moving. “They’ll smell me in the wind.”
“No. Look.” He waved at the trees. “There’s no wind today. Do you know what kind of Guards they are? Some hunt by sight, some by ground scent and others by the odor in the air.”
“I didn’t know there were that many different kinds.”
He nodded. “With the air still, they must be following your trail through the woods. This will work. Trust me.”
She wanted to run, but she wouldn’t get far. Maybe, the water was the key.
“Can you swim?” He stared at the island. “It’s quite a distance.”
“Yes, but I’d rather not go into the water. Not with Christian in there.”
“There is nothing in that lake but fish, small fish. The whole story is just that, a story, a legend,” he said.
“Legends are based on truth.”
“Some. Yeah. But not the magic stuff,” he argued.
“Well, I’m telling you that there is something large in that water and I’m not going in it.”
“Okay.” He shot her a disgusted look. “What we need is a boat or a raft of some sort.” He pointed to the woods. “Let’s go find a chunk of wood that floats.”
After searching for a bit, they hadn’t found anything that was big enough for her to sit on and still small enough for them to carry. The Guards were getting closer.
“I’m going to have to either swim or run,” she said.
He scratched his head. “We need rope. Then we could tie a few of the smaller logs together and make a raft. How soon before they get here? I can race home and bring back…”
“Will this work?” She pulled the rope out of her backpack and handed it to him.
“Give me your knife.”
“You can’t cut it.” She needed it to sleep. Without it she would fall from the tree. Of course, if she didn’t get to the island she’d be captured and sleeping would be the least of her worries. “Isn’t there some other way?”
He tapped his finger on the arm of his chair. “I could try wrapping it around the logs, but it won’t be as secure.”
As long as she still had her rope at night, it was fine with her. “Let’s try it.”
They went back into the forest and selected four large branches each about five inches thick. They worked together to drag them back to the lake and then broke off the smaller attached twigs. When they were done, he moved his chair as close to the front of the makeshift raft as he could and then climbed out, dragging himself the remaining few feet. By the set of his jaw, this was embarrassing for him, so she looked the other way.
When he was situated, he picked up the rope. “Can I at least cut it in half?”
“No.” There was a sharp whistle. The Guards were getting closer. “Not unless you absolutely have to.”
“If I secure the logs together a bit down from the front, and then run the rope to the back and tie it together there.” He spoke more to himself than to her as he moved to the middle of the raft and began to twine the rope over and around the branches.
While he worked, she broke off a few limbs from a pine tree and tried to cover her scent around the lake. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best that she could do.
When he was done, he shook the raft. It wobbled but the ropes held. “Not as secure as I’d like, but it should get you there.”
It was a long way to the island. She didn’t want to think about the craft not making the trip. “What about back?”
“That too. I hope.” He grimaced.
She swallowed, her mouth dry. “I guess, we’ll see.”
She tossed the piece of wood that she was going to use as an oar onto the raft. He crawled back to his chair and stared straight ahead as if he were somewhere else. She quickly helped him up and then set part of the raft on his lap. She picked up the other end. It was difficult, but they managed to half-carry, half-drag it to the lake. She dropped the front into the water and they shoved the rest of it in with Jethro keeping ahold of a small part of the rope. The raft sank and then bobbed to the surface.
“It floats,” they both said at the same time.
This was going to work. She leaned in and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her. They were warm and strong. What was she doing? She jerked away. He blushed and looked back at the lake.
“Are you sure you want to do this? You can still come to my house. You never said why the Guards are after you. I may be able to help you. My dad knows people.”
The water glistened in the waning sunlight. Staying with him was tempting but it wouldn’t be safe. She needed to do this now before the Guards got any closer and before the sun set. She didn’t want to be on the lake at night. She tipped her head. She could make out voices. The Guards were definitely coming their way. There were three of them, scattered out but still close to one another. The water was her best bet. “I have to go.”
He stared in the direction of the noise. “Hurry. Even I can hear them now. I’ll cover your trail.” He leaned down and pulled up some weeds and rubbed them on the handles of his wheelchair.
She’d completely forgotten about touching his chair. “Thanks. You should go too.”
He shook his head. “I’ll be fine. I’ll wait here and see if I can send them in the wrong direction.”
“But, they might attack you.”
He grinned, but his eyes were worried. “I’m an Almighty. I’ll be fine.” He gave her a shove. “You need to go.”
“But…”
“Go. Trust me. The Guards won’t hurt me. I’ve never had a problem with any of them.” He shrugged. “I think they feel sorry for me.”
She moved toward the raft and stopped. “No. I can’t leave you alone here.”
“Fine. Once you make it to the island, I’ll go.”
“Promise.”
He nodded. “Now, hurry before you get caught.”
She gingerly climbed onto the raft. It sunk a bit with her weight but still floated. She paddled toward the island, scanning the water for Christian. She didn’t want to be captured by the Guards, but she didn’t want to be the River-Man’s dinner either. Luckily, there was no sign of him and then something bumped the bottom of the raft. Was it Christian? If he hit hard enough he could capsize the craft. She paddled faster. There was another thud from below. Christian was under there, slamming against the raft. She had to get to the island.
“Go faster, it’s breaking,” yelled Jethro.
She glanced back at him. He waved frantically in her direction.
The rope was unraveling and the logs were shifting. That was the cause of the movement of the raft, not Christian. The two middle logs were already loose. The outer ones were the most secure but since the rope was one long strand and not separate pieces they too were beginning to loosen.
One of the center branches slipped out from under her. If she didn’t hurry, she would be swimming. She increased her pace, panting with fear and exertion. Christian’s head emerged from the water several yards to her right. The raft wouldn’t stand a direct hit. His head disappeared under the surface. Was he coming closer? The thought gave her a sudden burst of energy and she paddled faster. The remaining middle log slipped out from under her. She balanced with one knee on each log as the rope finished unraveling and floated away.
The island beckoned. A few more yards and she’d be on dry land. She jumped into the water; it was up to her knees. She trudged to the shore as fast as she could, not wanting to bump into Christian. Once she was a safe distance out of the water she stopped, breathing heavily. The logs bobbed in the lake, already several feet farther away. She would have to find another way off the island, but she’d worry about that later.
She staggered inland. She had to find a place to hide. There wasn’t much besides the statue. There were no trees, only a few bushes and a rusty metal bench that had seen better days. She stopped by the statue. The bushes were her best option.
A female voice called for Jethro from the forest. The Guards were here already? She’d thought she had more time. Wait a minute. The female had called Jethro by name. Had this been a trick to get her to the island? Jethro was still on shore. He’d promised to leave. What was going on?
The female called again, closer this time. If this wasn’t a trap, she couldn’t let anyone see her. The bushes weren’t very far. If she moved now, she could make it to their cover. As she darted away from the statue, a female Almighty stepped out of the forest directly across from her. Their eyes locked and Trinity dove into the bushes. It was an Almighty, not a Guard. Jethro hadn’t betrayed her.
The Almighty continued to stare at the island, searching. Then she turned her head and jogged toward Jethro. “You are in so much trouble,” she yelled.
“Kim, what are you doing here?” he asked as the female stopped in front of him. He glanced back at the island.
Jethro clearly knew this girl. He called her by her first name. He hadn’t said anything about having a girlfriend. Kim was pretty with long, curly, brown hair. She touched her own straight hair. She’d always wanted curls. She would’ve settled for even a bit of a wave, but her hair was sleek and straight.
Kim wiped her forehead with the bottom of her T-shirt, exposing her stomach.
Why was this female lifting her shirt in front of Jethro? She shifted her position in the bushes for a better view.
“Looking for you. Idiot. You’re going to get it when we get home. Mom is pissed.”
Mom? This was his sister. Relief washed through her, followed quickly by concern. Would he tell Kim about her?
“What do you mean? Why is she mad?” asked Jethro.
Kim tucked a long curl that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear. “Do you have anything to drink?” She began to pull at his backpack. “I’ve been searching for you for hours. Mom ran into Mrs. Smedley at the grocery store.”
“Crap.” He shoved her hands away from his backpack. He pulled out a water bottle and gave it to her.
“Yeah, you’re busted. She knows that you weren’t with Jimmy today.” She took a long swallow of the water. “Who’s your friend on the island?”
Her heart skipped a beat as she scrunched farther down in the bushes.
“What are you talking about?” He turned his chair away from the lake.
“I saw her, so there’s no reason to lie.” Kim stared toward the island. “Is she lost? How do you know her?” She stuffed the water bottle back into his backpack.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There is no one out there. You must have seen a shadow or something.”
Jethro was trying to protect her. She couldn’t hold back a tiny smile.
Kim snorted. “A shadow from what? There is nothing on that island but the statue.”
The sound of branches breaking nearby caused them to turn toward the woods. A tall, muscular Guard burst out of the forest. It was the hairless Guard. Her heart raced as another Guard, this one a female with really long legs trotted out of the brush on the right.
“What are you two doing here?” asked the hairless Guard, surprise written all over his face.
It was obvious that the hairless Guard knew Jethro and Kim, but how?
Kim glanced at the island and then at her brother.
“Kim, don’t” said Jethro.
“Don’t what?” The hairless Guard walked over to the two Almightys.
Kim stared at her brother, a slight smirk on her lips.
“Ah…, don’t give Jackson a hard time like you usually do,” said Jethro.
Kim’s eyes narrowed.
“Yeah, Kim, you should listen to your little brother,” said Jackson, amusement in his tone.
Kim walked up to the Guard until they were almost toe-to-toe. “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be supervising the produce loading? Does Dad know that you’re ditching your duties?”
Why would Kim’s dad care about Jackson not being at his job unless the hairless Guard worked for her dad? She stopped breathing. Jackson was Benedictine’s Lead Guard. That would make Kim Benedictine’s daughter and Jethro Benedictine’s son. She’d spent two days with the son of the Almighty who ran their encampment, the one who created the Harvest List. If Jethro told anyone about her, especially about her fangs and claws, her and her mom and Remy would be severely punished. Why hadn’t she listened to Gaar and stayed in the tree? Forget that, why hadn’t she just stayed in camp?
“You need to go home. It’s not safe out here,” growled Jackson.
Kim crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t have to listen to you any longer.”
“You should. Araldo knows, you don’t have the sense to take care of yourself,” he said.
Kim glared at him. “I’m twenty-four years old. I can go where I want and spend time with who I want and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Jackson’s face had a thunderous look to it. “Go home.”
Kim tipped her head back and leaned closer to him. “Make me.”
She cringed in the bushes. She blinked twice. She couldn’t be seeing this right, but she was. That Guard was furious and Jethro’s sister was antagonizing him. Would he turn violent? Would he hurt Jethro? If he did, she’d be safe. She shook her head at the traitorous thought. She didn’t want Jethro harmed.
“If you don’t leave right now, I’ll wring your neck,” said Jackson, enunciating each word.
Kim smiled and patted him on the chest. “No, you won’t. You only wish you could.”
“Guards have turned against their people,” he threatened.
“Don’t you mean owners?” she asked.
A third Guard jogged, panting, out of the forest. He was much older than the other two. He stopped by the female Guard, watching the exchange between Jackson and Kim.
Jackson grabbed Kim’s arm. “I’m not kidding. It’s not safe. There’s another group of Guards in the forest. By their scent, they’ve been out there awhile.”
Kim’s eyes widened a bit. “Wild?” She touched his bicep with her free hand.
Jackson dropped his hold on her and stepped back, breaking her contact. “Probably.”
Kim nodded at Jethro. “We should go then.”
Jackson lifted his head and inhaled. He walked over by the place where she’d climbed onto the raft. “Jethro, did you pee here?”
Trinity bit her lip. Jethro had covered her scent.
Jethro shrugged. “I had to go.”
Jackson walked a couple of paces. “All over. You couldn’t just go in one spot.”
Jethro’s jaw clenched. “What do you care?”
Kim looked from one to the other. “Jackson, please escort us to my dad’s. Jethro, we need to go. Mom is worried sick.”
Jackson shook his head. “I can’t. I need to find…something.”
Kim glanced at her brother again. “No, Jackson. I need you and Casper and Carla to come with us now.”
The other two Guards shot Jackson a helpless look.
Jackson grabbed Kim’s wrist and pulled her a few feet away from the others. He let go of her arm and tucked another loose curl behind her ear. He seemed to like to touch her. Was there something more between the two of them than Almighty and Guard?
He glanced around. “I’m hunting. Someone knows about the necklace,” he whispered.
Kim touched the chain around her neck.
“I have to finish this job. Casper and Carla will see you home.”
Kim’s face softened for a moment and then she looked back at Jethro who nodded toward the trail.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. You can come back tomorrow. I need you to take us to my parent’s house now.”
Jackson’s jaw hardened. “Is that an order?”
“Yes.” Kim looked like she was going to cry.
He stepped back and bowed. “Very well.”
The group headed down the path that Jethro used. Just before they disappeared in the woods, Jackson glanced back and scanned the area. His gaze stopped on the island for a long moment before he followed the others.
She waited as twilight gave way to night. The lake was mostly black in the darkness. The only light came from the moon, casting reflections on the water. It had been long enough. They were gone. She moved over by the statue and sat. She was still hidden but the ground was less rocky.
Jethro would keep quiet about her but would his sister? Kim said that Jackson could come back tomorrow, which should mean that she was safe for the night. Maybe, the island was the best place for her right now. If Jackson and his Guards showed up before Gaar and Mirra, then she was better off here than in the forest. She stretched. The bright side was that at least she was safe on the ground. Without her rope, this might be the last good night sleep that she got.