She glanced east. A thread of golden yellow already glowed on the horizon. “You’re cutting it close. Sunrise is minutes away, and we still have a long flight up the mountain.”
“I know, but Jace says it’s foolish to leave tracks behind. There are certain groups who know what they’re looking at. They’ll try to collect evidence and genetic samples from dragon scales or hair. We have to err on the side of caution.”
“How are you going to stop them from taking samples?”
“A brush fire might do the trick.”
“Beau, no! The fire could spread and harm the animals.”
“Devon, you don’t understand how ruthless this group is.”
“Then we have to be better than they are. We can’t do anything questionable that might turn people against us.”
“Us?” Beau hopes were raised and she felt it. “Are you one of us?”
“I’m giving it serious consideration.”
They glided over the brushy thicket that sheltered the waterfall and the dragon tree.
The many parallel rows of tire tracks converged and ran single file past the dense foliage of the glade and onward toward Kilimanjaro.
“The convoy was here,” Beau thought with alarm.
“It looks like they missed the falls and drove on. The tracks continue.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Jace circled above the grove, flapped his powerful wings for a slow, smooth descent and landed near the crest of the waterfall.
Devon unwound the reins from her wrists and slid off Jace’s back. “Stay here. Don’t bother shifting. Save your energy for a fast flight back to the cave.” She placed a kiss atop Jace’s snout, left the guys in the shadows of a thick tangle of vines and climbed down the slippery rocks surrounding the waterfall. She stepped barefoot over the leaf-strewn ground. How the hell could anyone collect physical evidence in a warm, damp environment like this? What she really needed to do was put Jace’s and Beau’s minds to rest about this mysterious group.
She snapped a leafy branch from a bush and dragged it everywhere she could remember anyone standing yesterday. All she was doing was stirring the top surface of mud, praying it would be enough. “This will just take a minute.”
Jace and Beau remained perched on a rocky outcrop above the pool, hidden.
Devon buffed the ground with the branch. “This is weird.” She crouched low to the earth. “There’s some sort of mesh sunk into the mud.”
Beau’s thoughts were panicked. “Devon, step back!”
Boom. It was too late. With a furious swoosh of snapping cords and flashing lights a net closed around Devon and sucked her high into the treetops. A circle of blinding strobe lights exploded, capturing the entire incident on camera. With her fingers tangled in the net and screaming in rage, she swung midair, trapped.
13
Devon curled her fingers around the mesh and tore at it but the steel cables supporting the net didn’t give. They’d flown right into an obvious trap, and now she was the dangling bait. A wail of despair burst free. “Beau!” Focusing her thoughts, she silently shouted a warning. “Leave me! Get Jace out of here before he tries to come to my rescue.”
“Jace won’t leave you behind.” Beau was adamant.
“Make him! For God’s sake, don’t show yourselves. Get out of here now!”
Half a dozen men dressed in combat fatigues stepped out of the bushes and stared with approval at Devon thrashing inside the hanging net.
One man with small black eyes stepped forward and addressed what appeared to be the leader of the group, a brutal-looking fellow with a cropped salt-and-pepper haircut and a thick, muscular neck. “Commander Vorden, shall I begin the interrogation?”
“Not yet, Dominic.” Commander Vorden stared at Devon with a furrowed brow. “Don’t cut her down.” He spoke English with a French accent. “Let the girl hang there for a few minutes. We want those damn lizards in flight and out in the open where we can get a clean shot.”
“No shooting! Please don’t!” Devon shouted. She panicked as she struggled to rein in her thoughts. Hopefully Jace and Beau had just heard all she had and would have the sense to stay away. “Beau, did you get that? Do not come into the open. Stand down. This was a planned ambush! Let them have me. I’ll demand to be taken to the American embassy in Nairobi.”
Beau’s thoughts were rioting. “Devon, we never leave a mate behind!”
“Don’t argue, Beau. Fly low and get out of here as fast as you can. We’ll meet up later.”
“Miz Day-von!” Kibo rushed into the clearing, shouting. “Miz is okay?” He looked mortified. “Cut her down!” he demanded. “She is not the monster. Set her free.”
The men in military gear exchanged knowing looks.
Commander Vorden reached into his pocket, pulled out a thick wad of bills, and extended his hand to Kibo. “Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Kibo. You were a great help, but we are no longer in need of your assistance.”
Kibo stared mutely at the bills, refusing to touch them. “I came here to rescue miz. I’ve never lost anyone on safari, and I’m not going to start today.” He pointed at Devon. “She is my responsibility. I took her from camp—I return her to camp. Cut her down!”
The commander crossed his heavy arms in front of his chest, drawing attention to a gun harness slung over his shoulders and a bandolier of high-caliber ammunition. “Thank you, sir, but it doesn’t work that way. The lady is in excellent hands. We’ve dealt with this situation many times and we know what we are doing. There is nothing more for you to be concerned with. Just take the money and go with our gratitude.”
Devon called down to Kibo. “Be careful Kibo! Take their goddamned money and get us some help!”
Turning to his companion, the commander lowered his voice, “Dominic, be more sensitive than the last time. Remember, we are on the side of the angels doing God’s work, and must win her trust. Even if she refuses, she needs medical attention ASAP, but be gentle. Sedate her before shock sets in. It’s a kindness. Fetch a rape kit and collect physical evidence immediately. She has been traumatized and will likely behave irrationally. That’s how it always is. I’ve seen it many times. The women rant wildly in defense of their captors and cannot be reasoned with. Delusion is a tragic and unpreventable side effect of being in contact with these abominations. The victims are brainwashed and they don’t even realize they need help. I’ve seen the same thing again and again. It’s appalling what these creatures are capable of.”
Oh God, she was in real trouble. Devon shouted to her guide. “Kibo, tell the American counsel I’ve been kidnapped!”
Appearing stricken, Kibo stalked toward her. “Miz, I won’t walk away! Not a second time.”
Dominic eyed Kibo. “What about him? He’s a witness. Why don’t we just—”
Kibo drew a pistol and pointed it in the commander’s face. “Cut her down—now!”
Several men crept up on Kibo and drew their guns.
“Kibo, back off. They’re armed!” Devon called.
Commander Vorden sneered at Kibo. “That was a mistake, my friend.” He shoved the wad of bills back in his pocket. “You are going to be sorry you ever decided to play John Wayne with me. You are not helping this woman in the way that you believe. Why don’t you just go back to your village and keep your mouth shut.”
“Kibo!” She stuck her arm through the mesh and flailed at a tree, hoping to break off a branch to use as a weapon. “Did the village see you leave with these men?”
Kibo nodded.
“Go back.” Her voice was hoarse from screaming. “Tell everyone what you’ve seen here. Call the American embassy immediately and let them know Devon Mitchell is being held against her will.”
Dominic drew a serrated hunting knife from its sheath, and with a manic gleam in his eyes shifted anxiously from foot to foot, ready to pounce. “Commander, say the word. I’m ready to sacrifice myself.”
Vorden turned toward Dominic. A strange calm ca
me into his voice. “There is no need. The man is right. Cut the woman down.” He glared at Kibo. “You didn’t save her. All you did was delay the inevitable.”
Beau’s thoughts burst through. “Devon, we’re in flight at tree level!”
“How did you get Jace to go? Is he okay?”
“Not really. He’s feeling ashamed, worried for you. Be careful, Devon. Demand to be taken straight to the airport or the embassy.”
“I’ll be okay. If they were going to shoot us, it would have happened by now. A man named Commander Vorden seems to be in charge. He’s letting Kibo and me go but I don’t trust him. I’m still the bait. Don’t come near me in human or Marduko form until we’re certain we’re safe.”
“Don’t waste another moment!” Vorden turned and shouted at his companions. “Get out the thermal-vision goggles. Fan out and search the brush. They have to be close. I doubt this woman walked here alone.”
“I did walk here! I’ve been lost.” Devon fumbled to keep her balance as the net was lowered to the ground and cut. “I got separated from my guide. Isn’t that true, Kibo? I’ve been wandering around looking for camp.”
Vorden gazed at her bare feet. “You’ve been hiking for a day around the base of Kilimanjaro barefoot?”
Was it even worth trying to talk her way out of this? “I got some blisters, took my boots off, and lost them.”
Commander Vorden marched toward Devon with an indignant look of rage simmering. He leaned down and grasped her smooth, blisterless foot. “I don’t think so.” Standing uncomfortably close, he got in her face and glowered. “Don’t lie to me. I know what’s happened here. We are standing on their ancestral hunting ground.” In a burst of temper, he swatted Devon’s hair aside, exposing the faint dragon bites on her throat. “What are those marks?” He pointed at the bruises with accusation. “You’ve been violated by something pernicious, and you’re too intoxicated to know it, but it’s not too late. This is not your fault. Tell me what they did to you. You’re in shock and you need to be taken to a safe environment to recover. These beings are evil. They occupy a shadow realm and prey on the sympathy and weakness of women. They’re opportunists, and they sicken me. Tell me where I can find them and I’ll free you of their unnatural influence. You’ll never have to face them again.” Extending his hand, he beckoned her to grasp it. “Accept my help before it’s too late.”
Devon recoiled from the loathing that radiated from Vorden. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I got lost on safari and I want to go back to camp.”
Vorden stepped closer and whispered, “Don’t protect those beasts. Tell me their names. They plan to recruit and use you for their own selfish reasons. They will corrupt and confuse you, and compromise your soul. Soon you will no longer be welcome in decent society. It doesn’t have to be this way. Just ask for help and it will be offered. You will not be abandoned.”
Was this guy for real? “What are you talking about? I think you’ve made a mistake.”
“You’ve made the mistake.” Vorden’s eyes were merciless black mirrors. “God will forgive you, but not if your sin lingers unresolved. Show repentance now and tell me the names they hide behind.” Revulsion curled the commander’s lips. “This situation is something that should never have been and must be put right.”
Devon crouched inside the net as Dominic sawed through a connecting rope. “Nothing needs to be put right except for you cutting me loose! I got separated from my guide and I want to return to camp! Those are the facts.”
Vorden’s mouth compressed into a thin, harsh slash. “Your apathy is alarming, but I expected it. Women are always unreasonable and blind to the truth. They lie to themselves and call filth love. I won’t waste my time attempting to hammer sense into you while you’re under the sway of malice. We are done talking. Return to camp with your hero guide.”
Devon slipped past the commander and made a beeline for Kibo, suspicious that the man was allowing her to walk away so easily.
As she passed, Commander Vorden snatched Devon’s wrist, yanked her gloves off, and turned her palms over.
The double dragon mark had faded but was still present.
“Revolting.” Vorden grimaced. “A willing whore to beasts. Why would you lie for them?” He abruptly let go of Devon’s wrist as if she were a dirty thing he did not want soiling his hands.
Devon darted away from Vorden and stood at Kibo’s side, trying to process what the hell was going on. She grasped Kibo’s arm. “Let’s go before somebody has second thoughts about stopping us.”
Kibo eyed the group with obvious distrust. “Yes, miz.” He stepped backward, his gun still drawn. “Walk behind me, miz. My Jeep is parked a half kilometer down the road.” She and Kibo backed away from the militant group with extreme caution. As soon as they were free of the glade they ran toward the red Jeep. The moment they reached it Devon leaped into the passenger seat. “Kibo, this is the time to drive fast and crazy. Go for it!”
“Yes, miz.” Kibo climbed into the Jeep, turned the engine over, and stomped on the gas pedal. The tough little vehicle burst forward and plowed through the tall grass. “I’m going to avoid the track for a few miles.”
Devon glanced over her shoulder. “I can’t believe they’re letting us go without more of a fight. Commander Vorden looked like he wanted to slit my throat.”
“They’re not letting us go,” Kibo said with a dour expression on his face. “After they’ve used their heat-seeking gear to search the bush, they will follow.”
“Who are they?”
“I’ve seen the commander before. He has come to Kilimanjaro in the past but always alone. After I saw those creatures at the falls and you disappeared, I called for help. I told the authorities I had an American woman missing on safari and needed to organize a search party. Commander Vorden and his men were the first to arrive. I went with them, not realizing my mistake until we reached the falls. I saw then they thought nothing of your safe return and were only concerned with charging their electric cattle prods and other torture devices. They are bad men.”
That was certain. “Why did they let us go?”
“They don’t have what they want. They will watch you closely until the Marduko return to claim you.”
Devon’s heart sank. “You’re right.”
They rode in tense silence for what felt like a long while.
Kibo asked in almost reverent tones, “Are the Marduko really monsters? Did they harm you?”
She didn’t dare admit to knowing anything about the Marduko. A faint smile crossed her lips as she shook her head. “No one harmed me.”
Kibo glanced in the rearview mirror. “Miz, they are following. I see a cloud of dust.”
She looked behind and saw the rising plume of debris that signaled many vehicles on the move. “There’s nowhere to hide. Get back on the dirt track and start driving like hell.”
“Okay, miz.” Kibo steered the Jeep out of the tall grass. When they reached the parallel rows of hard-packed dirt that passed for a road, Kibo raced toward the village, striking every bump in the road and sending the Jeep bouncing high into the air.
Devon nearly bit her tongue. “Don’t break an axle! Not now.”
Kibo drove like a madman.
She glanced at the gauge on the gas tank and was disheartened to see only a quarter of a tank. They would make it back to the camp but no farther without a fuel stop. “We don’t have much of a head start. What are we going to do?”
Looking worried, he didn’t answer.
“When we get to the camp, let me out near my hut. I’ll grab my passport, plane tickets, and whatever I can.” She glanced down at the dried mud on her bare feet. “And some shoes. I’ll try to get someone to drive me to the Nairobi airport.”
His expression hardened. “No, miz, I’ll do it.”
“Kibo, those men are following me. Stay out of the way. Hide somewhere for a while.”
On the far horizon a rising twist of smoke from one of the
camp’s cooking fires came into view. “Look, we’re almost there!” Devon shouted in joy.
Kibo stared straight ahead as he spoke. “Miz.” He sounded guilty. “I told others about seeing the Marduko.”
This was going to be bad. “How many others?”
Dipping his chin, Kibo looked ashamed. “Everyone who would listen.”
“I will not talk about it,” she said with strong resolve. “You don’t have to either.”
“Yes, miz.”
They rode in silence toward the semicircular camp of huts as Commander Vorden and his men gained on them every minute.
“Our lead is slipping away,” Devon grumbled. “We’re five minutes ahead of them, tops.” She was so tense by the time they sped into camp that she was ready to leap from the moving car and run to her hut. She unfastened the seat belt and prepared to jump. “Hurry, Kibo!”
As they approached the curved row of huts Kibo slowed, but the Jeep was still moving as Devon leaped from the passenger seat, hit the ground, rolled, and scrambled toward her hut.
“I’m okay!” She wrenched the door of the hut open, feeling as bruised and sore as all hell as she grabbed her belongings and shoved them haphazardly into a flight bag.
The Jeep screeched to a halt nearby.
Devon glanced around the hut, struggling to remember if she’d already thrust her passport inside the cluttered bag or if it was still hidden in the hut someplace. She racked her mind, unable to think clearly.
“Miz, it’s too late.” Kibo stood at the door of her hut, frowning.
She peeked out the door and saw a convoy of large trucks and other vehicles roll straight toward the camp before dividing into two lines that swept outward to surround the compound.
“Oh crap, now what? I thought they were going to chase me. I guess they decided to snatch me back.” Devon stepped outside the hut. “I’m going to see what they want.” She looked into Kibo’s eyes and saw how worried he was. “Please get out of here and call the American embassy. Tell them I need help.”
“I’ll stay.” Kibo dismissed her. “Miz, who is John Wayne?”
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