*    *    *    *

Woods and a cloud-laden sky brought an early twilight.  The wind picked up as I stood in stunned immobility.  On the ground, a man lay gasping.  The gurgling wet noise of his inhale told me he wouldn’t live long.  I stumbled backward and tripped over another prone form.

Something ran past me too fast to see clearly.  Not far away another member of our party cried out and then fell silent.  I didn’t run.  Turning in a circle, I tried identifying who darted around me within the shadows.

A voice, directly behind me, stilled my movement and sent shivers racing over my skin. “So beautiful.”  A hand stroked my hair.  Fear made my heart race.

“Do you still doubt me?” a familiar voice called.

I turned to watch my group’s leader emerge from the shadows completely unharmed.

“You were right,” the man behind me agreed.

I stared at the approaching man with dawning horror.  “You betrayed your people,” I gasped looking again at the bodies lying nearby.

“Not my people,” the man I thought I knew growled.  “My people do not run from a fight, not even to spare a single life.”

The man behind me laughed.  “Now that we have her, where was she leading you?”

“She had knowledge of a plant that will bring us wealth.  It relieves pain.”  The betrayer stepped closer.  “We will need someone to test it,” he said.

I spun and ran, knowing it was useless.  They could have outran me, but, instead, made a game of the chase.  My sides ached, and my breath came in painful gasps.

“Enough play time,” the betrayer called to his companion.

Something bumped into me knocking me to the ground.  Pinned by an unyielding mass, I sobbed as the man licked my neck.

“You will be delicious,” he whispered.

Chapter Nine

“Bethi,” Luke called my name and tapped my face.

I opened my eyes with my heart still pounding.

“Why didn’t you lean against me?  The dreams aren’t as bad then,” he scolded with a concerned frown.

I blinked at him as the memory of my sister’s death continued to cloud my thoughts.  “Betrayer,” I whispered.

Luke looked shocked.  “I would never betray you,” he whispered.  Some obscure emotion flicked into his eyes and for a moment he looked so helplessly lost.  “Never,” he breathed as if talking to himself.  Then, determination replaced it and he slowly leaned toward me.

My breath caught as his gaze snared me.  Trapped, I watched his eyes drop to my mouth.  My heart skipped a beat, but not in fear.  I knew he heard it too when his arms tightened fractionally and his fingers feathered over my hair.

“I will protect you,” he whispered.  His lips brushed my top lip, the barest of touches, before he retreated slightly.

My heart struggled painfully as my stomach twisted in anticipation.

“You are everything I am.  Without you...”

In his arms, I believed him.  A small burst of hope warmed me.  What if, instead of worrying about living or dying, I just...lived?

Dropping my eyes to his lips, a shaky breath escaped me; and I lifted my mouth to his.  A spark ignited in my stomach.  Our lips touched for less than a second before he pulled back quickly.

I wanted to yell and cry.  Instead, I took a deep breath and tried to quell my frustration.  The stubborn man wouldn’t even look at me.

“Why?”

“Why what?” he asked distractedly, eyeing the road ahead.

“Why protect me?  I’m not your mate.”

His eyes met mine, and the intensity of his look, robbed me of words.

“Do not mistake my patience for disinterest.” He gently threaded his fingers through my hair, and I held my breath.  His lips lifted in a half smile at my hopeful look, but he dropped his hand.

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to stop yet,” he said with a nod toward a building I hadn’t noticed.  We sat in the parking lot of a hotel.

“No,” I said in panic, struggling to get off his lap.  I did not want to stay at another hotel.  I could still see the dead man’s eyes from under the bed.  A shudder ripped through me.

“Shh,” he whispered wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close.  “It will be okay.”

“No.  It won’t.  They won’t give up.”

A flush crept into Luke’s face.  "Have you died in this life?  Not this cycle, but this life?  No. Do you know why?" He met my eyes and leaned in close.  "Because you have me.  Because I won't let you die.  I’ve already sent a call asking for someone to meet us.  We don’t need to—”

My head shot up knocking into his jaw as the last two dreams clicked into place.  How could I be so stupid?

His mouth closed with a snap, and he grunted but didn’t set me aside.

“What did you say?” I demanded trapping his face between my hands.  “What did you tell them?”

Surprise colored his eyes as he answered cautiously.  “That we would be here and needed an Elder and a few others to help escort you back to the compound.”

“When?” I insisted.

“A few moments before I woke you,” he answered, clearly puzzled.

So just a few minutes ago?  I dropped my hands and hopped off the bike, scanning the road in both directions.  All clear, but the trees around us could hide anything.  I wished I could see those sparks like my sister.

“Go get a room.  Hurry!”  I motioned him toward the main door.  He opened his mouth to ask more, but I started power walking.

As soon as I cleared the door, I pasted on my chipper face, the one I’d used so often to hide the fact I wasn’t sleeping, and asked for a room.  Luke, just a few steps behind me, paid for the room as I filled out the form using my fake ID.  I took a moment to write the hotel’s phone number on the palm of my hand, too.

I hurried down the hall to the room and opened the door, making sure to touch the handle and the wood.  Luke stood watching me with concern.  I didn’t step further into the room.  Instead, I closed the door again and retraced my steps, heading back outside.  He followed me without comment.

At the bike he asked, “What are we doing?”

“We’re leaving, but you need to keep quiet about it.”  I motioned for him to get on the bike.  He didn’t hesitate.  “Don’t tell anyone.  If I’m right, that room will have visitors soon.”  He looked toward the hotel with dawning.

I swung my leg over the back and slung the strap over his head.  He started the engine as he removed the slack.  Pressed against him, we pulled out of the parking lot heading west.  I tapped his shoulder.

“Go south!”

Taking the next turn, we headed south for the next two hours.  I had enough rest that I evaded the dreams calling me.  When I thought enough time had passed, I tapped his stomach to get his attention.

“I think we can stop,” I said as we sped down a main highway.

He signaled for the next exit, and we took the northern route to the next town.

He turned his head and asked, “Are we getting a room?”

“No, not yet.  We just need a pay phone.”

He pulled into a gas station, and I quickly ducked out of the strap before hopping off.  I moved to the phone and dialed the hotel’s number.  Pretending to be a reporter, I asked if they would offer a comment regarding their recent break in.  The guy on the phone started an exciting tale until his manager cut him off.  I hung up the phone and turned to look at Luke.  He’d moved from the bike to stand close to me.

“Did you hear most of that?”

He nodded.  The muscles in his jaw stood out from clenching it so hard.

“Someone is betraying you,” I said softly.  “I think we need to be more careful with the route we take to the Compound.  They know where we’re headed and will be waiting.  It should be safe to get a room in the next town.  No more communicating. With anyone.”  I rubbed a hand over my face, tired.