as four bodies entered, guns at the ready.
Every male’s face darkened as they glanced around.
Walker swore.
Another soldier stepped up beside him. “It’s empty. What the hell?”
“Check the bathroom,” Walker ordered.
The men ventured farther into the small room.
As they did, Taelon eased past Walker, drawing Lisa with him.
“It’s empty, too,” one of the men called. “But someone has been here recently. The shower and sink are still wet and the bedding is mussed.”
“What the hell is going on?” Walker muttered.
Taelon slipped through the doorway. Once outside, he tensed. He had succeeded in showing Walker and the other three what he wanted them to see. But now he would have to alter the visual input of six more men. This would be a greater test.
Having found no one in the room at the far end, the soldiers were now working their way back to the motel office, checking every room. One soldier directed two to search behind the structure.
Taelon strode across the parking lot to the vehicles parked in a V formation. Uncertain which would be the best one in which to hitch a ride, he waited beside them.
Lisa nibbled her lower lip and leaned into his side.
Releasing her hand, he wrapped his arm around her.
Walker’s soldiers confirmed every room was empty. The two who had disappeared behind the motel returned and said they had found no evidence that anyone either hid behind the motel or had fled into the forest.
The soldiers clustered together in a circle.
“What do you want to do?” one asked. “Do you want to call Roland Warbrook and ask him to return?”
The soldiers all exchanged a glance Taelon couldn’t identify.
Did they fear the powerful vampire they worked for?
Walker looked up at the bright sun that dominated the sky and shook his head. “Maybe tonight. We’ve yet to identify any network soldiers who are unaccounted for. So I’m still not sure this isn’t just a wild-goose chase the motel clerk created out of boredom.”
“And we sure as hell don’t want to piss off Roland,” one soldier added.
All nodded, increasing Taelon’s belief that they feared him. Were these men slaves to the vampires as in some of the stories Lisa had read?
“I’ll report to Henderson when we get back to network headquarters and see what he thinks,” Walker said. “In the meantime, Donovan and Fredricks, I want you to stay here, inside that damn motel room”—he pointed to Taelon and Lisa’s room—“so the couple won’t be able to elude you if or when they return. If weird shit is going down here, I’m convinced they’re involved. Mercer and Howard, I want you to remain behind as well and find positions in the forest that will allow you see any and all who approach the motel. I’ll have supplies and ghillie suits delivered within the hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Any questions?”
“No, sir.”
“Then let’s book.”
The soldiers parted. Four strode toward the motel. The rest broke into twos and headed for the vehicles.
Taelon followed Walker to the closest one. When Walker opened the driver’s door, Taelon opened the one behind it and urged Lisa to duck inside.
Walker closed his door before Taelon could follow.
Taelon paused, waiting for the second soldier to open his door. Then Taelon ducked inside, seated himself—coordinating his movements with the other man’s so the rocking of the vehicle wouldn’t spawn suspicion—and closed his door at the same time.
Nevertheless, Agent Walker frowned and glanced in the rearview mirror. Twisting, he glanced over his shoulder.
“What?” the second man asked as he drew a safety strap across his chest and fastened it.
Walker looked through Taelon, not seeing him. “Nothing.” Facing forward, he turned a key that was already in the ignition and started the engine. Moments later, they rolled out of the parking lot and left the motel behind.
Lisa rested a hand on Taelon’s knee.
When he looked at her, she raised her eyebrows. Are you okay?
Her thought carried to him clearly, making him wonder once more if the child she carried made the link between them so strong and effortless.
He covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. Yes.
Taelon had hoped the two men would engage in conversation that would lend him some clue regarding where Amiriska was being held. But they didn’t. Their job done, the two spoke of trivial matters. Then Walker turned a knob that filled the vehicle with music.
Lisa leaned her head against his shoulder.
The drive was not as long as he had expected, explaining how the soldiers had arrived at the motel so quickly.
Soon they swung off the main road