TRINITY’S DAD RAN up to them in the backyard, grabbing and hugging her. “Don’t ever do something like that again.”

“Dad.” She fell into his embrace. She wanted to leave. She wanted her mother. She’d seen enough death.

“We need to keep moving,” said Hugh, shoving her forward.

A Tracker stood in the doorway, watching them.

Jackson pulled up in a carriage, struggling to control the two Grunts. The Grunts, eyes wide with fear, fought to get as far away from the blood and violence as they could.

“Where’s Buddy?” shouted Jackson.

“He didn’t make it.” Hugh’s voice cracked.

Kim popped her head out of the carriage door. “Hurry. Get inside.”

Dad, holding her arm, headed toward the carriage, maneuvering around the dead House Servants, Guards and Almightys that littered the yard. There were so many, but some had to have escaped. Most of the carriages that had been there when she’d arrived were gone, but two remained besides theirs in the yard. Two Grunts were tied to each of the other carriages and were fighting to get free.

“The Grunts.” Nothing else needed to die that night.

“Leave them.” Hugh hopped onto the carriage.

They’d be slaughtered. The Trackers would find them and the Grunts would be helpless. Trapped. Chained. She yanked away from her father and ran across the yard, glancing back to make sure a Tracker wasn’t headed her way.

“Should have called her Little Fool,” mumbled Gaar as he followed her.

“Get back here,” yelled Dad, running after them.

“Where are you idiots going?” shouted Hugh, jumping down from the carriage and trailing after them.

She yanked on the ropes and dodged the Grunts’ heavy limbs as they struggled in fear, their eyes rolling back in their heads.

“Be careful,” shouted Dad.

Gaar stepped closer and the Grunts snorted and stomped, pulling even harder against their restraints.

“Jethro, get back in the carriage,” called out Kim.

At his name, Trinity turned as Jethro ran toward the house and the Trackers.

“Jackson, get Jethro,” yelled Kim.

“I can’t.” Jackson was fighting with the Grunts to keep them from bolting.

Jethro was going to get himself killed. The Tracker by the door bared its teeth in a gruesome smile as Jethro stomped toward it, his eyes narrowed and jaw tense.

The Grunt bumped into her and she fell, quickly rolling away from its heavy feet. She had to pay attention or she’d be squashed. “Gaar, get away. You’re scaring them.” She stood and tried to get back to the front of the Grunt’s head without being maimed. “Go. Stop Jethro from killing himself.”

Gaar turned and his eyes widened. “He’s a bigger fool than you.”

She shot him a glare. “I’m not…never mind. Please, help him.”

“Mirra’s right. You have too many friends.” He raced across the yard and in a moment flung Jethro over his shoulders. He easily carried the struggling youth back to the carriage and tossed him inside, jumping into the vehicle after the boy.

She turned back to the task at hand. “If I can get to the ropes, I can cut them.”

Hugh grabbed the Grunt’s head and held it as still as possible. Every now and then, the Grunt lifted him off the ground but he clung like moss on a tree.

“Shhh. Shhh,” repeated Hugh in the Grunt’s ear.

She cautiously stepped next to him. In one quick slash she cut through the rope enough so that the next yank from the Grunt ripped the line free. Hugh let go and the Grunt ran off. Dad latched on to another Grunt, holding it as Hugh had. She severed the tie and they moved on to the next Grunt. By the time that they’d finished freeing the four Grunts, Jackson had pulled the carriage over by them.

“Hurry,” he yelled. “They’re coming.”

Sure enough, eyes gleaming, three Trackers prowled toward them.

Gaar yanked her into the coach. Dad followed and then Hugh flung himself on the top with Jackson. The carriage took off.

Kim and the older female were huddled on the seat. Jethro lay unconscious near their feet.

She scooted over to him. There was a huge bruise on his jaw from a fist, a large, heavy fist. She turned and glared at Gaar.

“What? He wouldn’t listen. He kept trying to get out.”

Gaar could be such a bully sometimes. Frowning, she cradled Jethro’s head in her lap. “Jethro, Jethro, wake up.”

“Leave my son alone,” snapped the older woman.

She turned to face the Almightys. Hatred gleamed in the older woman’s eyes.

“He’ll try to fight if he wakes. He’ll get himself killed,” said Kim.

She looked down at his face. Even in repose there was anger etched around his eyes and mouth. She stroked his soft hair but stopped trying to wake him.

The carriage raced off into the woods. Gaar looked out the window, his jaw tight. “Most follow us. A few went toward town.” He pounded on the ceiling. “Water. Take us to water. Trackers hate water.”

They must have heard him for the carriage turned, heading for the Lake of Sins.

Soon, they stopped and everyone exited the carriage. The grotesque statues were even more disturbing when illuminated by the moonlight. Gaar grabbed Jethro by the back of his shirt and flung the boy over his shoulders.

“We need to get to the island,” said Gaar. “The Trackers won’t cross the lake.”

There were other Almightys and House Servants milling about. It seemed some had the same idea but didn’t know how to get to the island.

“Jackson, where did you put the canoe?” she asked.

He was already digging out the boat from the brush. He uncovered it and glanced back at her, surprise on his face. “The oars are here.”

“Christian,” she said, smiling. He was the only one who could have retrieved them from the bottom of the lake.

“Of course.” Jackson’s face paled as he picked up the boat and carried it to the water.

“Females first,” ordered Hugh.

“Martha, Kim, this way.” Jackson helped Kim and her mother into the canoe.

“Jethro,” pleaded Martha. “My son, please.”

Jackson looked at Hugh and Gaar. Hugh glanced at the still unconscious boy draped across Gaar’s shoulders and shook his head.

“Females first.” Hugh took Trinity’s arm.

“No. I’m staying here.” She pointed to the trees. There was a young, blond, female Almighty cowering by some brush with an older female, probably her mother. “You, over there,” she called out. “Get in the boat.”

The young Almighty shook her head, trembling in fear.

She marched over to them.

“Get in, now. The Trackers are coming and they’ll gobble you up for a snack,” she said.

The older Almighty whimpered but dragged the young girl to the canoe.

“Who’s going to row?” asked Jackson.

“You should be in that canoe.” Hugh shouted at her.

“I’m not leaving until everyone is safe.” He had no business ordering her around.

“Who’s going to row? Jackson asked again. “We need the canoe back so more can get to the island. Who’s the fastest rower?”

“Jackson, please, come with us,” begged Kim.

“Not before Jethro,” said Martha.

Gaar dropped the unconscious Jethro on the ground.

“I’m not that fast at rowing. I’ll be of better use here,” said Jackson.

“Gaar, you row,” said Trinity. “You have the strength.”

“You need me here to fight,” he said.

“No. She’s right,” said Hugh, shooting her a glare. “About this at least.”

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It was childish but she couldn’t resist wrinkling her nose at him. He was so bossy.

“We have a little time before the Trackers get here. We need as many taken to the island as possible. You can do that the fastest,” said Hugh.

Gaar nodded and climbed into the canoe. The boat lowered with his weight, the water rising almost over the side. They were squeezed in tight but once he started rowing the craft flew across the lake. His brute strength more than compensated for his weight and bulk.

“We should gather all the others here. Easier to defend,” she said.

Hugh shot her another dirty look. “Good idea.”

It was clear from his expression that it hurt him to say those words. Her lips curled in a smirk.

He turned and shouted. “Everyone. If you want to survive this night, come over here. The boat will be back shortly. We’ll be sending females first.”

The House Servants and Almightys crept out of their hiding places and came over to the group. There were ten, not counting the five that remained of their initial party.

“The three females and”—Hugh pointed to one female Almighty and two female House Servants and then turned to look at the prone Jethro—“the boy will be in the next boat.”

Gaar was already on his way back.

“What? No. I’m an Almighty,” said a middle aged man with a large belly. “I’ll be going over to that island before those House Servants.”

The House Servants stepped back, bowing their heads.

Hugh strode over to the Almighty. The older man backed up until Hugh had him trapped against a tree. “I am in charge and you will be going last, if at all,” he whispered, his tone deadly. “Is that clear?”

“Y…y…yes,” stammered the Almighty.

She couldn’t help smiling as Hugh stomped back to the group, the older man following a few paces behind him. Hugh may be bossy, but he wasn’t all bad.

The boat pulled up and the three females climbed aboard. Jackson and Hugh lifted Jethro, laying him in the canoe. Gaar rowed away.

Hugh walked over to her. “You will be on the next boat.”

She glared at him and shook her head, slowly to irritate him. “I don’t answer to you.”

He ran his hand through his thick hair. “You need to be safe. You are female. You are a child. You should have gone first, but you will go next.”

She stood on tiptoe and stared him in the eyes. “I will not. Jackson, who would you rather have fighting with you? These Almightys”—she looked away to encompass the group of out-of-shape Almightys and then back at Hugh, who was, actually, decently built—“or me?”

Jackson sighed. “You.”

She smiled in Hugh’s face.

“Are you joking? You’d rather have this…this female…child fight with you than me?” Hugh glared at Jackson.

“Yeah.” Jackson shrugged dejectedly.

“I am almost seventeen.” It annoyed her that Hugh thought she was a child. She should have been mated years ago.

Hugh ignored her. “So, she has claws. So, what?”

Her dad burst out of the woods. “They’re here.”

“How far?” asked Jackson.

“Not far enough.” Dad was bent in half, resting his hands on his knees, panting.

Her father’s night vision was excellent, but he was prone to exaggeration. “How much time do we really have, Dad?”

He glanced back at the tree line. “Ten, fifteen minutes tops. They aren’t moving fast.” He grimaced. “Probably too full.”

The canoe was only halfway back. There were still the seven Almightys and the four of them. They’d run out of time.

The Grunts, still tied to the carriage, were becoming more and more agitated.

She raced over and unhooked one from the tree and carriage, leading it to the group. “Two of you, come here.”

The Almightys looked at each other and then an old and a middle aged male stepped up to her.

“Both of you climb on and force him into the water. Grunts can swim. Once you get him into the lake, all you have to do is stay on. He’ll go to the island.”

The middle aged Almighty climbed on first and then helped Jackson place the older guy on the creature’s back. She led the Grunt into the water as far as she could and then swatted its backside. It bolted deeper into the lake. The Almightys struggled at first but managed to keep the Grunt from running into the woods. Eventually, it began swimming for the island.

Hugh was already placing two other Almightys on the other Grunt. He started to wade into the water when Jackson grabbed his shoulder.

“Don’t go in there,” said Jackson.

Hugh stopped, confused. She walked over, took the rope from him and led the Grunt into the water and then tromped back to shore. She couldn’t keep a smirk from her lips as she glanced at Hugh and Jackson.

“Why is it okay for her to go in the lake but not me?” Hugh looked from her to Jackson and then back again.

“You don’t want to meet what lives in that water.” Jackson’s lip curled.

She sighed dramatically to annoy the Guard. “Jackson, I thought the two of you were friends now.”

“Hardly,” said Jackson.

“But it’s okay for the Grunts?” Hugh looked back at the lake.

“I think so,” said Jackson. “Grunts are big.”

Dad continued to stare into the forest. He was the best watchman they had.

“I’m still not following. What are you talking about?” asked Hugh.

“Christian,” she answered.

“Another of her friends,” said Jackson, trying to suppress a smile.

The canoe bumped against the bank. The three Almightys climbed aboard. They were heavier than the females and the water dredged over the top of the craft. “I don’t think we can take anyone else on this trip,” said Gaar, panting from his exertion.

“Go,” shouted Dad. “Now. They’re here.”

Gaar started to step out of the canoe. Jackson attempted to shove him back.

“I’d be of better use here. Mirra is mine,” said Gaar.

“You need to get them safely to the island,” argued Jackson.

“You row,” said Gaar. “I’ll stay.”

“He’s right,” said Hugh. “At this point, we’d be better off with Gaar.”

“I’m not leaving before you,” said Jackson.

“Trinity, you need to go,” said Hugh.

“No,” she said. “Mirra won’t harm me. Gaar and I should stay here.”

They all glared at each other as the group of five Trackers entered the clearing. The shadows played along their fur, blending them into the night. Their muscles bunched and expanded as they loped along. No hurry in their expressions, only the anticipation of the hunt and kill.

“Tim, you go,” said Hugh.

“I’m not leaving my daughter,” said Dad.

“Would someone just get in this canoe and row it,” yelled the Almighty who had complained previously.

Gaar’s eyes narrowed as he walked over to the boat.

“Finally,” said the Almighty.

Gaar grabbed the Almighty by the collar and threw him into the water. The man sputtered and swam toward shore. Gaar walked over to Hugh. “Now, you and Jackson can go.”

Hugh started to argue. “I’m not…”

Gaar punched him in the face. Hugh spun around and Gaar caught him before he collapsed on the ground. The Handler tossed him in the canoe and then looked at Jackson. Jackson quickly climbed in the boat. Gaar shoved the craft farther into the water and Jackson began rowing to the island. Gaar wiped his hands and walked over to her and her father. The remaining Almighty cowered behind them.

They stood together, waiting for the approaching Trackers. There was nowhere and no time to run. The water was behind them and the Trackers to their front. She hoped that Mirra would once again be able to hold off the others. Although, with blood covered fur and her eyes glittering, Mirra didn’t seem like the same friend she’d known these past few weeks.

The Trackers sauntered up to them. Mirra and Nirankan were in the lead and three of the previously chained Trackers followed. Unfortunately, Crazy was one of the three.

Mirra eyed the small group. “Gaar-Mine. Little One. Leave.”

“We can’t do that,” said Gaar, his voice a low rumble.

Dad stepped in front of Trinity. Mirra’s attention snapped to him.

“Get away from her.” Mirra slashed at him, claws bared.

Dad jumped back. It happened so quickly that it was a blur. Mirra’s claws barely connected with his shirt, leaving a slice and a small needle thin line of blood.

“No, Mirra,” she yelled, pushing to the front. “He’s my father.”

“You fast,” said Mirra. “Little One get from you.” She strolled closer. “Little One, away.” She flicked her hand in the air.

She didn’t like the look in Mirra’s eyes, so she shook her head, refusing to move.

“You job protect Little One. But you no protect. She alone in forest. You no good.” Mirra spat on the ground near Dad’s feet. “You know what hunts forest in night?” she whispered.

“We…we didn’t know she was leaving the first time and the second time we had no choice.” Dad turned toward her. “I didn’t believe that there was anything dangerous out here. We thought it was more lies drummed up by the Almightys.” Tears welled in his eyes. “I’ve been traveling through the forest to sneak into the encampment for years and have never seen anything but small creatures. You have to believe me.”

And she did. She turned to face Mirra. “I snuck out the first time. They are my parents not may jailers. They can’t watch me all the time.”

Mirra scoffed.

“I got away from you for a short time too.”

Mirra narrowed her eyes. “We follow you. They no try find you. They no travel with you. One like him help in forest.”

Dad stepped forward, still staring at his daughter. “I was going to find you, but I couldn’t leave with you because of the tracking device.”

“What he speak of?” Mirra looked at Gaar and then at her.

“It’s something that the Almightys put in their…property. It tells them where the creature is at all times,” answered Gaar.

“You have one now? We keep you. Almightys come to us.” Mirra smiled.

The other Trackers grinned, their eyes gleaming.

“No. I had it removed. That was the plan. Have the device removed and then travel with Trinity.” Dad held up his shirt and showed them a cut along his chest and under his arm. “That is where it was.”

Mirra stepped closer and Dad’s breathing became shallow, but he held still while she examined the wound. She ran her claw against it and then sniffed along the cut.

“Metal and spice.” She stepped back. “Others have device?”

“Yes,” said Dad. “If you belong to an Almighty, they implant it in you.”

“What of you mother?” Mirra asked, turning toward her.

“She had one too. Once you are paired to be mated, they implant the device. That’s why I don’t have one.”

“They fools,” said Mirra. “You best of lot.”

She smiled. She couldn’t help herself. It was nice to be valued.

Mirra turned toward Nirankan. The two Trackers spoke in grunts and whispers.

“I tried to find you,” said Dad. “After I had the device removed and I escaped from Hugh, I searched for you but Conguise’s Guards caught me.”

She nodded and wiped at her eyes. He hadn’t abandoned her.

Mirra faced the others. “We decide you three leave.”

The other three Trackers started to snarl and rumble but Nirankan and Mirra quieted them with warning growls.

“Please, you can’t leave me here.” The Almighty grabbed Gaar’s arm.

Gaar pulled away and shot him a look of disgust.

“You. You’re a House Servant. You’ve lived with our kind. Don’t leave me. Please,” begged the Almighty.

Dad stepped away from him, grabbing her arm and leading her toward the woods.

“Dad, stop,” she said, yanking free. “What are you doing?”

“I’ve met him and others like him before. He wouldn’t offer you a drink of water if he owned the river.” Dad sneered at the Almighty.

“But we can’t leave him,” she said.

“Please, please,” blubbered the Almighty. He lay prone at her feet, clutching her pant leg.

The three Trackers became more agitated at the sound.

“We should go,” said Gaar.

“No.” She turned to Mirra. “Please, Mirra. Don’t do this. Hunt elsewhere. He has done you no harm.” She didn’t want to witness anymore death.

Mirra glared at the groveling Almighty, no mercy in her eyes.

“Go, run wild and free.” She grabbed Mirra’s hand. “Have offspring. There are others of your kind now.”

Mirra glanced at Nirankan and her ears lowered a bit.

“Little One.” Mirra stroked Trinity’s hair. “Mirra love Little One, but Little One need grow up. This no way of world.” Mirra touched Trinity’s chest, over her heart. “Kindness hurt you one day.” She turned away. “Nirankan, we go. We hunt elsewhere.”

Nirankan nodded but the other three were not as easy to persuade. Mirra and Nirankan growled but Crazy snapped at them. Mirra had him down on the ground in no time, with her claws pressed into his neck. He straightened, giving her more access and she released him.

“Meet later, Gaar-Mine, Little One,” called out Mirra as the Trackers headed around the lake and back into the forest.

At the edge of the brush Nirankan took Mirra’s hand and she allowed it.

Dad released a huge sigh. “That was close.”

Gaar watched the Trackers disappear, weariness battling with sorry for control of his features. She stepped up to him and clasped his hand.

“There are other Handlers too,” she said softly.

He tightened his grip and then let go. “Yes. I’m happy for Mirra. This is the beginning of another stage in her life, if she can avoid being trapped and killed.”

The Almighty stood, wiping the dirt off his clothes. “She won’t. They’ll all be killed this time. I thought they were all dead before, but some must have escaped. Not this time. Not after…”

The others glared at him.

“How are we getting to the island?” he demanded, quickly changing the subject.

Jackson had just arrived on the other shore and was helping Hugh out of the canoe.

“I see, you didn’t hit Hugh as hard as Jethro,” said Dad.

“Nah,” said Gaar. “He only needed to be knocked out for a moment or two. The young lad, on the other hand, needed to be out for a while to keep him safe. Hard head that one.”

“Which one of you is going to wait, when the canoe comes back? We’re too big to all fit,” said the Almighty.

Gaar looked at him. “You’ll wait.”

“What? I can’t. It isn’t safe. You saw that they wanted me. If they come back—”

“They’ll not be back,” said Gaar.

She tugged on Gaar’s sleeve. “Ah, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”