Geena and Micah fanned out, silently disappearing into the brush. Demon watched the area where they disappeared for several seconds, his ears twitching as he sniffed the air. They hiked steadily for several hours, careful to avoid too much time in the open, watching for intruders and the never-ending bevy of large-toothed predators.
The sun was at full noon by the time they reached the incline leading to the overhang jutting out over the encampment of the others. Geena and Micah appeared as silently as they had departed, finding nothing of interest to cause alarm. A short rest was called and, gratefully, Riley settled down in a sheltered lee at the edge of the tree line. The shade was a welcome respite, the air cooled by a breeze wafting through the trees. Nathan stretched out beside her, his face showing signs of strain. Worried, she settled his head on her lap, stroking his furrowed brow.
“Are you hungry?” she asked quietly. They could all use some food.
“Not really,” he said, turning his face and kissing her belly.
“You’ll feel better if you eat,” she scolded. “You have to keep your strength up. It’s a long walk back.”
Reaching into her pack, she pulled out several strips of jerky and a water skin, forcing him to eat.
Jonas squatted down. “We’re going on up. You two stay here and rest. Keep Demon with you, and keep him quiet.”
Riley nodded, catching Demon’s halter. “Down, boy, get down,” she commanded. The dog sat down next to Nathan, his large brown eyes regarding her curiously. “Stay here with Nathan.” His tail thumped repeatedly on the solid ground.
Watching with trepidation as the three departed, Riley’s chest constricted in nervous anxiety. Nathan sat up and gathered his weapons, sitting against a tree and watching the open area beyond the tree line. Demon watched the forest, his eyes following every movement with interest. Riley reached for her war club, feeling more in control as she gripped the handle, her hands clammy and stiff. Suddenly, the forest loomed too near, every sound a portent of approaching danger.
“Just relax,” Nathan’s voice soothed her. “If anything’s near, Demon will let us know.”
“What if he misses something?” she croaked.
“He won’t.”
Nothing could dissuade her that danger was in the offing. Her skin itched and the hair on the nape of her neck tingled. They were being watched—she could feel it—but by whom or what? Silently, she began counting the minutes until Jonas, Micah and Geena returned. It seemed forever since they’d left.
Demon growled low, rising up and staring intently into the dark recesses of the forest. Hackles shot up as he crouched, stalking slightly forward. Riley’s stomach rolled, bile rising in her throat, threatening to spew forth. Who ever heard of morning sickness at noon, she thought disgustedly. Swallowing convulsively, she schooled herself to stay calm. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Nathan notch an arrow, swiveling to face the direction Demon watched so fixedly.
“Relax,” he breathed softly.
Demon growled again, his tail twitching slightly, every muscled tensed to spring. His huge, white body a terrible killing machine.
“Stay,” Nathan commanded, barely whispering. Something moved silently through the trees, staying in deep cover, but there just the same. Goosebumps broke out on Riley’s arms as a cold chill raced through her system. Her ears strained to hear some movement, her eyes struggled to see. Nothing but darkness and the only sound was the rustling of leaves as the wind danced through. She crept behind Nathan, careful not to disrupt his concentration, keeping her eyes on the open landscape.
Demon growled again, his fangs showing as he bared his teeth in rage. Barking furiously, teeth gnashing the air and lunging in short bursts, he challenged the intruder.
“Down,” Nathan hissed, “Demon—down!”
An arrow ziinnggged by, embedding in a tree behind them. Nathan loosed several arrows immediately along the projectile’s backward path, rewarded by a yelp of pain.
“Got one,” he crowed softly. “I spotted two more working their way around. Keep your eyes open.”
Demon whirled and lunged by Riley, landing on a crawling intruder, ripping and tearing until the man expired, his face a mangled mess of blood, torn skin and bone. Riley’s stomach heaved again. Okay, baby, she crooned silently, don’t make mommy sick.
Arrows arched and pounded, impaling the ground and vegetation surrounding their hiding place, barely missing with each volley.
“Move!” Nathan roared. “Get out of here!”
Tripping and sliding, Riley ran at a low crouch, following Nathan’s lead. A newcomer rose up from cover, knocking Nathan to the ground, howling in triumph, his sharpened teeth glistening evilly in the murky light of the gloomy forest. Jumping astride Nathan’s chest, he plunged a wicked looking knife downward, only to be stopped as Nathan grabbed his wrist and wrenched the knife away. Riley tightened her hold on the war club and rushed in, wielding the heavy club as though it were a baseball bat—and this was batting practice! Home run time, she thought. Swinging with as much force as she was able, the club landed solidly against the newcomer’s temple. Blood flew and bones crunched as the man went down, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Nathan leapt to his feet, retrieving his weapons in one single motion. “Move—move,” he growled, zigzagging through the dense forestation.
Demon nipped at her butt, pushing her along and forcing a faster pace. Nathan veered to the right with Riley hot on his heels, as two more newcomers rushed forward. Headlong, they exited the dense vegetation and angled across the open landscape, heading towards the rock wall abutting the northern edge. The pace was grueling and Riley was having a hard time keeping up when Nathan’s leg gave out. Stumbling, he tripped and fell, cursing as he rolled. Riley swooped down, hoisted him up and dragged him along, blessing those genetics codes that endowed her with the size and strength to do such a feat. Nathan whistled and Demon raced to the tree line, backtracking and stalking those who chased his people. Riley heard a man’s agonized scream as the dog scored, viciously raging as he took the man down. Another man hesitated for only a second and then resumed the chase, too close for comfort.
“You have to take him out,” Nathan gasped, grimacing in pain as he limped with difficulty, leaning heavily on Riley.
“Me?” she cried. “How am I supposed to do that?” Half carrying Nathan had eaten up what energy reserves she had.
“Same way you got the last guy. Use your club and let him make the first move.”
“I can’t do it,” she moaned. “I’m not good enough!”
“Yes, you are, sweetie. We don’t have another choice. I can’t do it.”
Reaching a small outcropping of rocks at the base of the rock cliff, Riley unceremoniously dropped Nathan to the ground, whirling around to face the warrior as he bore down on them. She crouched slightly, one foot in front of the other, balancing on the balls of her feet, gently waving the war club, and drawing the attacker’s full attention. He halted, laughing derisively.
Stepping slowly away from Nathan, her attention wholly on the newcomer, Riley assessed her opponent. Red streaks of paint daubed his face and chest, a necklace of teeth and feathers ringed his bull neck and a dirty skin draped his loins, barely concealing his nether parts. Tall and muscular, this was a seasoned warrior, not some callow youth out to prove his manhood. Slowly moving in a wide circle around the man, she waited, giving him the opportunity to strike first.
He smiled, rotten teeth filed to sharp points, sinister and deadly.
Taking several deep breaths, Riley relaxed slightly, easing tense muscles.
The man lunged, slashing with knives, testing her defenses. Riley cracked his forearm with the club, sending one of the knives flying. Her concentration was totally focused on the man and his every move. Good try, Buckwheat, she thought, but I’m a little better than that. He tried the same maneuver, playing with her and, as if bored with the game, he backed off, strutting like a giant ugly peacock, cocky an
d arrogant.
Where was Demon when she needed him? The warrior continued his cocky strutting, savoring the moment, his whole demeanor dripping with contempt—she was a woman and therefore easy prey. Riley’s mouth tightened into a grim line. Maybe women of his time didn’t fight, but this woman does!
“Don’t let him rattle you,” Nathan’s voice broke through. “Make him come to you.”
Slowly and carefully she kept moving around him, until his back was to the rock wall. Nervously, she glanced quickly over her shoulder, worried that another would approach silently from behind.
“Don’t look away,” Nathan growled. “I’ll tell you if someone comes.”
Contemptuously, the warrior gestured, his body language easy to read—first Riley and then Nathan! Looking over her head, his sneer lessened somewhat as Demon nosed Riley’s hip, announcing his presence.
“‘Bout time you got here,” she scolded quietly. The dog’s chest rumbled. She could feel him tensing to spring. Nathan muttered a command and the dog moved at an angle, forcing the warrior to divide his attention between the two of them. Some of his cockiness left, but none of his innate deadliness. Reaching down, he pulled another knife from a sheath at waist level. He was going to attack—Riley could see it in his eyes! Swallowing heavily, she braced herself. Moving quickly for a man his size, he shifted around, putting Riley between him and the dog, and charged. Riley jumped aside, barely avoiding his knife and having no time to react with her own assault. Demon lunged, but the big man ducked in time to avoid Demons’ gnashing teeth.
Nathan yelled a warning as the big man rolled sideways, springing to his feet and hurtling towards Riley, knives glinting in the sunlight. Demon attacked again, viciously lunging in and then retreating before the man had the chance to connect, but distracting him long enough for Riley to regain her feet, back off and brace for the big man’s next move. Nathan whistled in the background. Her peripheral vision detected Demon working his way around and maneuvering for his next strike. Some of Riley’s innate fear calmed. Demon was there to aid her, guided by Nathan’s sharp commands. All she had to do was keep the big man’s attention on her long enough for Demon to finish the job.
Holding the war club in front of her, she glared down its length, a forced smirk twisting her lips as she faced him. Time for her to toss some attitude into the ring! The big man’s eyes narrowed as though seeking to read her very thoughts. Sneering openly, she blatantly challenged the big man, whipping the club down and banging the ground in defiance. Demon was almost directly behind the man by now, crouched down, his huge jaws open, canines bared as he literally crawled forward. Behind the dog, Nathan dragged himself to his feet, leaning heavily on a sturdy stick and balancing on one leg as he hopped unsteadily forward. The big man charged, barreling down on Riley, incredibly fast for his size. As he bore down on her, Riley feinted to the side, ducking completely down and swinging her club at the same time, landing a sharp blow squarely on the backside of his left knee, collapsing his leg. Stumbling, he righted himself, growling in fury, and turned, ready to spring again.
“Riley!” Nathan screamed. “Look up!”
The sound of rocks falling drew her attention. The rock wall behind the big man seemed to erupt in a shower of loose boulders and rocks, cascading down and burying the big man swiftly in its wake. Demon’s teeth tore into Riley’s leather pants, dragging her backwards, barely avoiding the same fate as her attacker. Shocked by the unexpected torrent of rocks and earth, Riley lay trembling, blessing the dog and her guardian angel that she still drew breath.
“Look up there,” Nathan waved his hand towards the rock wall. “On the ledge above.”
Riley’s eyes worked there way slowly up, her mind refusing to believe what she saw. Four women of the others knelt on the edge, their long hair obscuring their faces as they peered down.
One by one, the women above stood up, gathered up a large bundle and turned away, moving out of sight. The smallest of the women was the last to leave and as she stood up, she stopped, raising her arm in a gesture of goodbye.
“It’s her!” Nathan said huskily. “It’s the one I saved that day when I went to the overhang—the day the newcomers attacked and destroyed the village.”
“They saved us?” Riley couldn’t believe the truth.
“I’m guessing that’s what’s going on.” Nothing else would explain the avalanche of rocks appearing so suddenly.
Nathan whistled loudly and whooped with elation, waving wildly as he tried to convey their gratitude. The young woman’s arm dropped and she stepped back, out of the light of sight, never to be seen again, disappearing into the mists of time.
Nathan’s eyes danced. “Guess the neighbors aren’t so bad after all. Can you believe what just happened?”
“Can I believe I’m still alive?” Riley’s lips still trembled. “No—I don’t.”
“She helped us! There’s no other explanation!” A wide grin threatened to split his face in two.
“Well, I helped, too, you know,” Riley grumbled, pissed that he was ignoring her contribution.
Nathan’s face fell. “Of course you did—you did most of it,” he apologized lamely. “We wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t fought him like you did.” He hobbled over. “I’m just surprised that they made any attempt at all to help.”
Riley pouted, refusing to be pacified. “I didn’t see any of them being knocked to the ground and eating dirt and…and...everything!” Stomping off, she brushed the soil and twigs from her leathers, needing time to allow the adrenalin to drop.
Across the open glen, Jonas, Geena and Micah came at a fast trot, their faces betraying their concern.
Nathan watched their progress until they stood in front of him. “Do you ever get anywhere on time?”
Jonas’ eyes glinted. “I kinda thought you’d want to show off and be the hero—save the fair damsel or something—and I didn’t want to mess up your timing.” Gesturing at Riley, he shrugged questioningly. “Is she okay?”
Nathan grimaced. “Sometimes I don’t say the right thing and her feelings are hurt.”
Geena said dryly, “From where we were, it looked like more than her feelings were being hurt. She was doing all the fighting while you sat on your fat butt and watched.”
Nathan turned to Jonas. “Is she always like that?”
Geena chuckled, flipping them off, and then strode over to join Riley.
Jonas drew a deep breath. “Maybe I should have been more careful about the women we picked to come on this little excursion.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Micah chimed in. “Geena’s all right with me.”
“That’s because you’re getting some.” Jonas smirked.
“Not my fault you don’t have what it takes.” Micah quipped. “Maybe I can give you some pointers.”
“We tagged three on our way back.” Jonas calmly stated. “Didn’t see any others, but it won’t be long before they’re missed.”
“I took out two and Riley would have taken that guy if the others hadn’t.” Nathan nodded at the pile of rocks. “I know Demon took down two as well back in the trees.”
“Geena, Micah—find the bodies and dispose of them. Might give us some extra time while they look.” Jonas jogged to the rock slide, making sure nothing was left to indicate a body rested underneath. After searching the area thoroughly and strategically arranging a few larger rocks, he came back, satisfied that the body would never be found.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Riley’s trembling and fit of nerves finally subsided. She strode determinedly to Nathan’s side and casually began administering to his leg wound.
His brows knitted in concern, Nathan sheepishly apologized. “I didn’t mean to offend you. We wouldn’t still be here if you hadn’t fought so well.”
“Don’t you forget it, Buckwheat!” Riley growled at him.
“I was really proud of you—I was scared sick though.”
“He’s sick anyway,” Jonas quipped. “
That’s why he’s here—so he doesn’t hurt anyone.” Grinning, he sauntered away as Nathan’s eyes shot bolts of fire at his departing back.
Riley snorted.
“Think that’s funny, do you?” Nathan’s eyes narrowed in mock warning.
“Matter of fact, I do!” Finished, she stood up, laughter glinting in the depths of her clear green eyes. “I’ve thought that about you many times—you’re a sick man.” Her full lips curved teasingly.
“Keep that up and I’ll have to show you just how well a sick man performs.” His eyes roved hotly over her skin-clad form, noting the dips and swells where the leather molded itself to her lush curves.
“Sheesh! Is that all you ever think about?” She grumbled, secretly pleased.
“No—I think of other things, too—but that’s usually at the top of my list.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Geena and Micah rejoined the group, and after gathering up their equipment and anything they could salvage, they began the trek back. By the sun’s positioning, it was late in the afternoon and they would have to hurry to make the cave before nightfall. Riley and Jonas half-carried Nathan while he hobbled painfully along, sweat beading his forehead.
“Not only do you have to save him, now you have to carry him, too.” Geena threw the barb good-naturedly.
“I liked you a lot better five years ago,” Nathan grumbled, scowling at her in annoyance.
“I never liked you,” Geena shot back.
Riley burst out laughing. Nathan’s transferred his mock scowl to her, his lips compressed in amusement. Riley stood on tiptoe and planted a swift kiss on his chin. He was going to be the brunt of a lot of jokes for awhile, but she wasn’t worried about the thickness of his skin. One thing she had learned, he wasn’t a typical male chauvinist pig-type guy.
Demon paced ahead, sniffing the air with interest, while Geena and Micah took flanking positions, covering their tracks and backtracking periodically, keeping an eye out for more of the newcomers. Nathan limped along, aided by Riley on one side and Jonas on the other.
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