Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton Page B

“There’s a path that runs through the mountains here. On the other side it opens to a canyon. A river cuts the terrain, but this time of year, with the rain we’ve had recently, they wouldn’t be able to cross.”
    Theron skimmed his finger along the map until he came to a point farther downstream. “What’s on the other side of this river?”
    “Another mountain range. Though the ones on that side have extensive cave systems that run for miles.”
    “Someplace they think they can hide,” Theron mumbled as he stared at the map. “This bridge. Is it usable?”
    “Yeah,” Nick said, rubbing a gloved hand over the top of his close-shaved head. “Last time I was up there, at least. It’s a pretty far trek, though. We’re talking women and children. And that bridge wasn’t in the best of shape the last time I used it.” Unlike Theron, Nick didn’t seem to have on any protective gear aside from grimy jeans, a long-sleeved black Henley and work boots. He didn’t seem to notice the cold as he looked up and around what was left of the town; he was too juiced on endorphins to care. Strapped to his hips were two semiautomatic pistols and several blades of various sizes.
    At least the half-breed came prepared.
    “I’ve got men scouring the hillsides along with your guardians to see if they’re close by, in hiding,” Nick said. “Odds are good we’ll find—”
    “They’re not here,” Theron cut in, his eyes never leaving the map. He pointed toward the canyon and the rickety bridge. “They’re heading here. Thinking it’s their best means of escape. And the motherfuckers are herding them.”
    “Demetrius!” Theron motioned the other Argonaut from the far side of the devastation, where he’d been examining something on the ground. As Demetrius came over, Nick casually pushed away from the map, said something quietly to Theron and turned to leave, heading in the opposite direction toward a group of angry Misos searching a pile of rubble. He didn’t utter a single word of thanks to Zander or Titus for coming to his aid, didn’t even acknowledge that they were there. And he didn’t once look at Demetrius.
    It was pretty obvious Nick had only asked the Argonauts for help as a last resort, and that several in this community were resistant to their presence. But still…
    Zander refocused as Demetrius joined them.
    “I want the three of you to head toward this canyon,” Theron said. “The daemons have got a four- or five-hour head start on us, so you’ll need to make tracks. The group that’s missing is made up of six females and fourteen young, ranging in age from two months to ten years.”
    “Christ,” Titus said. “They’re about to get slaughtered.”
    Not if Zander had anything to say about it. Didn’t matter if some in this village didn’t want their help. His blood pulsed as he listened to Theron rattle off the coordinates for what could be his last mission for quite some time.
    “Take extra precautions,” Theron advised. “We need those survivors brought back alive so we can figure out how and why they hit this village and what Atalanta’s planning next.” He handed them each a satellite phone. “These are programmed for the colony. When you locate the survivors, use this and someone will come pick them up.”
    As they each pocketed the phones, Theron glanced fromDemetrius to Titus, then finally nodded Zander’s way. “And don’t let him get dead. Especially now.”
    “I don’t need a bodyguard,” Zander grumbled.
    “Too bad,” Theron tossed back. “You’ve got two.”
    Titus clicked his teeth as Theron rolled up the map. “I got this homeboy’s back, pa. Don’t you worry none. We’ll kick some daemon ass and get him to the chapel on time. Guaranteed.”
    Zander glared over his shoulder. “Oh, you’re a real comedian.”
    “Just remember what you need to do,” Theron said, the seriousness of his tone reminding each of them this was no joking matter. “Do you have