Something’s not right and she’s at the bottom of it.”
Nayla slipped from behind to stand by his side. “I no idea where spears came from. They no even look like pack ones. No symbols. Different shape. Longer length.”
Grif saw the moment his teammate realized the truth of her words and what Grif had already noticed.
The male’s scowl deepened. “You did it on purpose. To throw us off.”
Grif glowered right back. “If she was the enemy, why would she give them to us at all?”
“Then who did?”
He shrugged. “If I had to guess, the ghost. As for why, I have no clue. We’ve been assuming he’s a threat, but what if he’s watching us for another reason altogether? We’ve gotten so paranoid, maybe we’re seeing peril where there is none.” He cringed inside even as he said the words aloud, knowing he might be the one most guilty of that. “The glowing spears are definitely a nice surprise when we need them most.”
“So you’re saying the ghost is a good Samaritan?” Malin shook his head. “I think not. It’s got to be some kind of trick. I went to exactly where Nayla said the females would be. They weren’t there. She needs to be made to tell the truth. She’s sabotaging the mission and we’re letting her get away with it.”
“I no lie.” Nayla’s tone was thick with outrage. “Females were there. I leave them there myself.”
“They’re not there now,” the male shouted, turning so that he spoke to the others as well. “No one was. That camp was empty.”
“Nayla, let me handle this.” Grasping her wrist, Grif shoved her behind him once more.
Hurt shimmered at his back, a hot wave of disappointment and surprise. He suspected the trust they’d built had just taken another hit.
“Was there evidence someone had been there?” He leveled a stare at Malin.
“Yes. Along with signs they fled fast…as if they’d been warned. So, I went to the village.”
“You did what?”
“I followed the tracks. It was easy enough. The missing females were there. In three pens.”
A small gasp from the onlookers. He wasn’t sure who. Zale cursed. The tension in the air ratcheted up.
“Caged like animals,” snarled Malin. “Crammed in tight. Surrounded by females, children, and hunters, all going about their business, with a stack of glowing spears propped up right next to the pens, as if preparing for a fight.”
Worse and worse. Grif hid his concern. “At least we know where they are.”
“No thanks to her.”
“Were you followed back?”
“Of course not.”
“Then you need to put the spears on the ground and calm down while I come up with a new plan.”
Malin’s hold on the weapons loosened, the reminder of protocol enough to deflate his aggressive posturing. Sort of. “This means war.”
“War?” Nayla spoke once more, her voice sharp with tension. “You say no bloodshed.”
“Your people have ours in pens.” Malin was riled all over again. “That’s cause for more than bloodshed. There’ll be death.”
“Enough.” Grif’s roar silenced them both. “Combat crew meet me in front of….” He looked to see who’d had time to erect shelter. “Zale’s tent in five. Come armed. Except for Bain. I need you to find Maddox and Nash stat. They should have warned us if the ghost made any move toward pack land. I want to make sure they’re okay before we determine the connection between the relocation of the females and our ghost. The rest start erecting a tent to prepare for the survivors return.”
Most hurried away as ordered. Only Malin remained, along with the worried presence at Grif’s back.
“Grif.” A delicate hand landed on his shoulder. “You can’t.”
The weight on his chest pressed tighter. It was all unraveling, the strands he’d tried to keep hold of slipping out of his grasp. No matter how tight he held on. Despite his best intentions, despite his formidable will, he couldn’t protect her from what was coming.
He turned to face her. “I will do what I can, but we always knew it could come to this.”
“Trade me for them.”
He reared back. “No.”
“Yes.” Her voice was as soft as ever, but it echoed with a conviction that terrified him to his soul. “It’s best choice.”
“Not happening.” She was willing to die without any care for herself. Even after all that had been said. Did she think losing her would be so easy for him? His fury ignited once more.
“It’s a reasonable plan. It doesn’t have to be forever.” Malin’s comment surprised him. He’d forgotten the other male was there. “Just long enough