The men lay facedown in the rotting vegetation. He couldn’t see how they had died. Their injuries had to be in the front. That made him frown. She’d faced them. She hadn’t shot them because the sound of the bullets exiting the gun would have reverberated through the forest and carried back to the guards surrounding the village.
Curious, he leapt to the ground and turned one man over. There were two small wounds at the left side of the neck—two holes with thin metal needles sticking out of them. She had severed the external and internal carotid arteries and had either thrown the needles or used a blowgun. Either way, it took tremendous skill to hit exactly where she needed to with such a small weapon. He inwardly whistled low, gaining new respect for his partner.
You within reach? Telepathy was only as good as the distance they could maintain it, which, sadly, as a rule, wasn’t that far. The Ghost-Walker teams carried small radios just in case that bridge between them failed. He had a strong connection with Shylah and hoped it was still available to them.
Yes.
That single word seemed to fill the places in him that were so lonely. He was getting used to her being with him. He liked that. Liked that at the end of his life, he wasn’t alone. He was determined to save her, but knowing he was dying now that he’d met her was both a glimpse of heaven and hell—and he wasn’t a fanciful man.
You want these needles back?
He didn’t realize how much affection he had for her, and it was growing fast. He’d just met her, yet it seemed as if they’d known each other years. A part of him felt she would always have been a mystery to him, elusive and enigmatic, but at the same time, she was comfortable as if they had been together for years.
Yes, please, they’re difficult to make.
He’d bet his last dollar she made them herself. He removed the needles, wiped the blood off carefully on the victims’ clothing and took a moment to examine them. They were lightweight yet had balance to them. He wrapped them up and slid them into his pocket. He closed it with the Velcro to ensure they wouldn’t fall out in his hurry to catch up with her.
He was able to move a little faster than she could because each time he came upon members of the MSS, they were already dead. He removed eight more of the needles from four more victims. Her accuracy was amazing.
How often do you practice? He couldn’t keep the admiration from his voice. Or the excitement. She was everything a woman he would want was. Mystifying. Deadly. Soft-spoken. Humorous. She looked like an angel and kissed like sin.
Stop. We’re connected. There was laughter in her voice. You can’t think things like that.
Why? It’s the truth. You might as well know. It isn’t like we have all the time in the world. This headache is very persistent. You know that’s the first sign. His temperature indicated he was infected as well, but he refrained from acknowledging that.
Stop being a baby. You hit your head very hard. There’s still a big lump there. Quit thinking in terms of saving me and think about saving us.
He was definitely catching up to her. Two more bodies. Her count was going to rival his if he didn’t look out. The MSS was going to have to start recruiting again.
I have a hard head. No concussion.
You don’t know that. What are you? A doctor?
Laughter spilled into his mind. It wasn’t nearly as funny as she thought it was, but he couldn’t help laughing because she really felt like sunshine spilling into his mind and she made him happy. He’d forgotten happiness.
Have you run out of your needles yet?
I don’t run out. Those little things have saved my life on multiple occasions. They’re easy to conceal and a breeze to use.
You sound like a salesman and not a very good one. They aren’t a breeze to use unless you practice day and night. I throw knives. I’m nowhere near as good as a couple of others because I don’t spend every waking minute practicing.
Give me a sec.
He increased his speed as he hurried through the trees toward her. She’d come upon a couple of the terrorists. He could feel the difference in her. Laughter faded away and she was all purpose, all determination. A professional. He didn’t want to distract her,