Maddy glanced at Kate. Kate wished she could tell Maddy to shut up, to not tell Ronin so much, but Maddy had no idea what was going on here or what Ronin would do to Ethan if he found him. She seemed to believe her stepbrother had good in him, and maybe he did, but Kate had yet to see it.
“Yes,” Maddy whispered, pulling her gaze back to Ronin. “Badly.”
“Then there would be a blood trail, right?”
Ronin glanced from Maddy to Kate and back. Maddy nodded. “Right. A blood trail.”
Ronin crossed his arms over his chest. “There isn’t one.” He motioned to the dirt floor. “See for yourself.”
Maddy glanced at the floor, then back at Kate, her gaze filled with confusion. “Did someone find him and rescue him while we were gone?”
Ronin glanced at Kate, his gaze hardening. “Well?”
Kate swallowed hard. Was he asking her if Mitch had come in and rescued Ethan? She had no idea. “If you’re asking if Mitch did it, I don’t know. I wasn’t here.”
Ronin snorted. “It wasn’t Mitch, unless he has a duplicate.” He paused, something flashing in his eyes. “Motherfucker. Has he been playing me?”
Ronin spun on his heel. “You two get out of this crater and back to Aftermath. I’ve got to go find Mitch and make sure he’s not fucking with me.” He marched off, leaving them alone.
Kate and Maddy exchanged glances.
“So what do you want to do?” Maddy asked. “Go back? Or keep looking for Ethan?”
“I say we keep looking for Ethan. He’s got to be around here somewhere. He can’t have just vanished into thin air.”
“I agree.” Maddy lifted the lantern and glanced around, obviously searching for a blood trail.
They spent the next hour searching the tunnels for Ethan, but found no sign of him anywhere. He had simply vanished.
“We should head back,” Kate said wearily, glancing across the tunnel to where Maddy stood, still holding the lantern. “It will be dinnertime soon. I don’t think we’re going to find him.”
Maddy nodded with obvious reluctance. “I just don’t understand what could have happened to him. It doesn’t make sense.”
Kate squeezed her hand. “There’re a lot of things that don’t make sense since the asteroid shower. I’m sure Ethan is fine. We’ve got to be positive, right?”
Maddy nodded again. Moments later, they headed back through the crater toward the dinosaur dig.
When they arrived back at Ethan’s fossil room with the large table of bones, Maddy paused and picked up a small leg bone. Kate paused with her, noting the worry on Maddy’s face. She had no idea where Ethan was or what might have happened to him.
A noise from the tunnel behind them had them both spinning around warily. Kate reached for one of the arrows from the quiver and slipped it into the nock of the bow.
Ronin strode into view. Kate itched to let the arrow fly straight into Ronin’s heart, but Maddy was standing beside her. As much as Kate hated Ronin, she couldn’t kill him in front of his stepsister, who seemed to think he was still good in some way.
Kate lowered the arrow. Ronin smirked as he strode past her. Then Mitch came into view. He carried an unconscious—or maybe a dead?—man over his shoulders. As Mitch stepped into the room, Kate recognized Ethan’s sandy-blond hair and lean physique. She gasped, her gaze darting to Maddy.
Maddy paled. She reached for her medical bag, yanking it off her shoulder. But even as she did so, Kate could see the dread on Maddy’s face and knew she was thinking the same thing Kate was thinking.
Was Ethan dead?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Mitch lowered Ethan onto the edge of the table, shoving fossils aside, and laid him down. Maddy rushed forward, leaning over him, her eyes wide. “Why are his hands tied, Mitch? What’s going on? And how is he even alive? A few hours ago, his intestines were hanging out of his stomach, and he’d lost so much blood I was afraid there was nothing I could do to save him.”
Mitch glanced at Ronin. He would let Ronin handle that one. It was apparent to Mitch that Kate and Maddy had encountered Ethan’s clone and mistaken it for Ethan.
Ronin scowled, then looked at Maddy. “The man you were trying to save was a clone. This is the real Ethan. He’s not harmed other than a head injury.” He paused, glancing at Kate. “The reason you couldn’t find him was because he disintegrated when he died. And his hands are tied so he doesn’t escape. I have some questions for him.”
Kate’s gaze darted to Mitch, her eyes wide with shock. Mitch took the three steps to her side and pulled her into his arms. “He’s right,” he whispered into her ear. “This is the real Ethan and he’s fine.”
Maddy was arguing with Ronin behind him, demanding he let Ethan go.
“What are you going to do about Ronin?” Kate whispered with a quick glance at Ronin. “And how could you do this to Ethan?”
“Shh. I’m handling it. Just trust me.”
Kate glanced back at Ronin and Maddy, who were still arguing. “Ronin is Maddy’s stepbrother,” Kate explained. “Did you know that?”
“No shit?” He’d had no idea. But now everything made sense to Mitch. Why Ronin was so protective of her. And why Maddy did whatever Ronin wanted. Could Maddy be Ronin’s weakness?
Maddy could prove useful in controlling Ronin if needed.
Ethan moaned softly. He was waking up. Mitch glanced at Ronin. “You get to figure out how to get him to Aftermath since I hauled him all the way back through that damn tunnel. He’s your prize, so you figure out how to deal with him.” Without waiting for Ronin’s reply, Mitch took Kate’s hand and led her away. He was positive Ronin wouldn’t kill Ethan until he’d extracted information out of him. Though he had no doubt Ronin’s extraction would include torture, if necessary. But Ethan was tough. He was a drifter man. And Mitch planned to be close by to make sure Ronin wasn’t too forceful in his interrogation.
This might be the only way to get the answers they sought. Ethan needed to stop keeping secrets. And snap out of whatever control the mountain had over him.
As much as Mitch hated torturing others, this might be the only way to defeat Ronin. Ethan would either have to open his mouth and share the secrets he’d been keeping...or die keeping those secrets to himself. Mitch was pretty sure Ethan didn’t want to die. He hoped once Ethan was away from the crater, his mind would come back to him and he’d be more reasonable.
A half hour later, they were back at Aftermath. Ronin had made Ethan walk all the way there, pulling him along by his tied hands. Ethan had kept his silence the entire journey, but Mitch had felt Ethan’s gaze boring into the back of his head and knew his friend was pissed. Mitch did his best to ignore it. Would Ethan forgive him for knocking him out and for whatever was about to come?
Several soldiers met them at the gates of Aftermath. Ronin handed Ethan over to them. “Toss him in the dungeon. I’ll be back later to question him.”
He turned to Mitch. “Come along, Mitchell. You and I have some things to discuss.”
Ethan turned to glare at Mitch as the soldiers shoved him past. “You’ll never control the mountain on your own, Mitch. You’re a fool to even try.”
Mitch glared back. “If you had only cooperated with me, you wouldn’t be in this situation right now and you know it. And I’m not the one trying to control the mountain. Ronin is.”
Ronin watched their exchange, his black gaze darting from one to the other, taking it all in. Mitch could almost hear his mind processing what he’d overheard.
“Hold up.” Ronin stepped into Ethan’s path, blocking him from going any further. “If you’re really this all-knowing drifter man I’ve heard about, then I want proof.”
Ethan snorted. “You won’t get anything out of me, so you might as well kill me.”
Ronin scowled. “Throw him in the dungeon. No food or water for him until he speaks. Maybe he’ll be more cooperative in a day or so.”
The soldiers dragged Ethan away. Maddy grabbed Kat
e’s arm and led her inside the building.
Ronin turned back to Mitch. “You’ve done well, bringing me the drifter man. Come on, let’s have a drink.” He slapped Mitch on the back.
Mitch had no choice but to allow Ronin to steer him forward.
* * *
Ethan was a stubborn son-of-a-bitch.
It had been three days since Ronin had tossed him down in that hole in the ground, not giving him any food or water, but Ethan was still refusing to talk. Mitch had to admire his stoicism. But Ethan’s refusal to talk was only pissing Ronin off. Mitch feared how Ronin might retaliate when he finally reached his breaking point. Ronin wasn’t known for his patience. It was only a matter of time before he snapped and yanked Ethan out of that dungeon. A painful torture would ensue. Would Ethan ever give in? How long could he hold out like this?
Mitch didn’t want his friend to be tortured. But he couldn’t make Ethan talk. He could, however, try to talk some sense into Ethan now that he’d had three days to think without the mountain controlling his mind.
Enough time had passed that if Mitch had received a gift from Ethan’s clone’s bite, it would have shown itself by now. No new gift had revealed itself. But Mitch hadn’t expected to receive a new gift, since Ethan was a shifter, not a true drifter, and his clone was merely a duplicate of Ethan. Mitch’s arm was fully healed now.
Not wanting Ronin to get suspicious in case someone noticed Mitch hanging out at the dungeon, Mitch went to him and told him of his plans.
“I’m going to try to talk some sense into Ethan today. If he gives me anything, I’ll let you know.”
Ronin scowled. “I’m coming with you.”
Mitch held up a hand. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I might get him to talk to me, but I can guarantee he’ll clam up if you’re there. Just give me some time to try to convince him to tell you what he knows. If he doesn’t cooperate, then I’ll leave it up to you to figure out how to get him to talk.”
Ronin contemplated Mitch for a long moment, then nodded. “You’d better not be trying to fuck me, Mitchell. I’ve let you live here with your trader girl without harassment. I expect your complete cooperation. If you try to fuck me, I will kill the girl.”
Mitch nodded. “I’m well aware of that. I’m not going to betray you.” At least not yet. “I just know that time’s wasting and if we don’t get a move on, the mountain may choose someone—or something—else to release its power.”
Ronin stared at him, his black gaze boring into Mitch’s. At last he nodded. “You’ve got until nightfall to get the all-knowing drifter man to talk. Then I’m going to deal with him.”
Mitch hurried outside to the dungeon, which was situated in the middle of the yard, away from any vegetation or buildings. It wasn’t visible until you stumbled upon it. The dungeon was nothing more than a narrow hole in the ground, approximately ten or twelve feet deep. He imagined whoever had dug that hole had placed it out here for a reason. There was no protection from the sun beating down through the grates during the day, and no warmth coming through the cold dirt walls at night. Mitch himself had never been down in that dungeon, but Kate had. It was not a place Mitch ever wanted to be.
He reached the dungeon and peered down through the heavy metal grate on top.
Ethan sat on the dirt floor, his legs bent at the knees. He was leaning forward, his arms resting on his knees, his head lowered. Mitch settled onto the ground next to the grate and cleared his throat.
Ethan lifted his head, squinting up at Mitch through the light that shone down on him.
“It didn’t have to be this way, Ethan,” Mitch began softly. “You know damn well I didn’t want to do this. Why won’t you just talk to me? If you don’t give me something before nightfall, Ronin is coming back here to torture you.” He paused, his gaze holding Ethan’s. “I don’t want that for you, man. Come on. Just talk to me.”
Ethan looked away. “Fuck off.”
Mitch sighed. “What happened to you? You’ve changed. What happened to the guy I met years ago who was fascinated with fossils and his research? The guy who, when he realized his fossil research was pretty useless nowadays, turned that obsession into learning about the drifters and sharing that information with me? The guy who saved my life the first time I was bitten? What happened to him? He was my friend. I trusted him. True, you’ve always been a conceited ass,” he said jokingly, “but now you’re turning into a prick. I miss that other guy. The one who was my friend. Where did he go?”
Ethan didn’t respond.
Seconds ticked past.
Minutes.
The sun beat down on Mitch’s head. Sweat broke out on his back. He lifted his shirt to wipe the moisture from his brow. Just when Mitch was about to give up and leave, Ethan finally spoke.
“That guy is dead. I’m not your friend anymore. I’m not talking to you or anyone else. So stop wasting your breath. Ronin can kill me if he wants. Or try to, anyway. But I’m not that easy to kill, which he will soon find out.”
Mitch shook his head sadly. “Your stubbornness is going to get you killed. And for what? I don’t understand your silence.” He sighed. “What do I tell your daughter when I show up at the mountain without you after promising her you would come?”
Ethan flinched, but he remained silent. He was beyond help. Beyond caring. Not even his daughter could bring him around.
Mitch rose, dusted off his jeans. “I hope you come to your senses soon and realize that the only one who can save you from yourself, is you.”
Ethan’s stubborn silence followed Mitch as he walked away.
* * *
“Ronin’s torturing Ethan out there,” Kate whispered, grabbing Maddy’s arm and bringing her to a halt before she went outside. “You don’t want to see that. Mitch told me Ethan refused to talk to him or anyone else. He said Ethan wasn’t himself anymore and he didn’t know what to do.”
Maddy nodded, her gaze full of sadness. “I don’t know why Ethan has to be so stubborn. I don’t even know what’s going on here or what Ronin wants with him. But I can’t just stand back and let Ronin kill him.” She pulled out of Kate’s grip and yanked open the door.
Dammit.
Kate was right on Maddy’s heels as Maddy stormed across the yard. It was dark out, but the yard was lit by several torches that burned from corner posts.
The soldiers had gathered into a circle, blocking whatever was inside the circle from Kate’s view. Maddy marched forward without hesitation. She reached the circle of men and pushed her way inside. Kate followed, slipping past the startled soldiers who obviously hadn’t anticipated Maddy’s arrival. No one dared question Ronin’s stepsister.
Kate came to an abrupt halt, her eyes widening at the horrific scene before her. Oh my God.
Ethan was tied to a large acacia tree in the center of the circle. His entire body was covered with blood. While she stared, Ronin let loose with an ugly whip that lashed out, ripping across Ethan’s abdomen. Ethan hissed, flinching at the pain, then glared at Ronin. Blood trickled out of the wound to mix with the blood already soaking his skin.
Bile shoved its way up Kate’s throat. She turned away with a soft gasp. She couldn’t watch this.
With a soft whoosh of air, Mitch was at her side. “What are you doing out here?” he whispered. “You shouldn’t see this.”
“You son-of-a-bitch!” Maddy shouted, pulling Kate’s gaze toward her as Maddy stormed across the yard. Maddy was petite and slender, about Kate’s size, except a few inches shorter. She was a tiny ball of dynamite ready to explode as she reached Ronin and shoved at his massive chest.
Ronin stumbled back, surprise crossing his features. Kate had never seen anyone, especially someone as tiny as Maddy, shove Ronin. If anyone else had dared touch Ronin, he or she would be dead.
Ethan made a sound from where he stood tied to the tree, a sound that resembled a snort or maybe a laugh. Kate couldn’t tell.
Ronin lowered the whip to his side. His eyes narrow
ed. “What are you doing here, little sis? Get back inside!”
Ignoring Ronin, Maddy strode toward the tree. Ethan’s eyes widened beneath all the blood and he straightened his spine, standing tall as she reached him. Ronin grabbed Maddy’s arm and yanked her away.
“Get back inside, now! I won’t tell you again!”
Maddy stood firm. “No. You let this man go and you let him go right this minute!”
Whispers erupted from among the crowd. If Ronin showed any kind of weakness in front of his soldiers, they would lose all respect for him. Would he harm Maddy to prove to them he wasn’t weak and that he couldn’t be swayed by a little female?
Kate held her breath as Ronin’s face reddened. His black gaze darted around the circle of men, then landed on Kate.
Oh crap.
“You!” he shouted. “Trader girl! Take Maddy back inside and don’t let her come out until we’re done here.”
“Do as he says,” Mitch whispered in her ear. “I don’t want him to hurt you.”
Kate nodded. Ronin might not hurt his stepsister, but he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Kate.
She hurried to Maddy’s side. “Come on, Maddy. Let’s get out of here.”
Maddy’s deep blue gaze latched on to Kate’s. There was pleading in her eyes. Fear. Worry. Determination.
“I can’t let Ronin hurt him.”
Ronin scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. “You don’t let me do anything, little sis. And why would you care?”
Maddy raised her chin. “I don’t condone violence of any kind. I know this man and he doesn’t deserve this. Please, Ronin, let him go.” Her gaze darted to Ethan. While Kate stared, Maddy and Ethan exchanged a look that Kate wasn’t able to interpret. There was definitely surprise in Ethan’s eyes. Disbelief. Then he lowered his head, breaking eye contact with Maddy.
Kate pulled on Maddy’s arm. “Come on. Ethan’s a drifter man. He’s tough. He’ll heal really fast and in a few days, you won’t even be able to tell he was ever hurt.”
Ronin glared at Kate. “If you want to live, trader girl, then stop telling her things she doesn’t need to know about.”
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