Shadows of Deception

by Amy Hale

  Jane’s head snapped up, and the look on her face indicated to Colt that he wasn’t going to like what came next.

  She walked around the table and sat down, patting the seat beside her. He joined her, but kept some distance between them.

  “Colt, without some foreknowledge of the organization’s new layout, we’re going in blind and disadvantaged. We can’t afford to take that risk.” She handed him the map. “We’re going to send out a small team to scout the area and facility first. They’ll come back with the information we need to plan an effective rescue mission.”

  He studied the map. “I see you’ve marked the route. Looks a little rough going that way, but it’s certainly less detectable than going the highway and up.”

  She nodded. “That’s what we were thinking too.”

  “Figuring in the terrain, that’s probably a good four-hour hike at best. When is the team going to leave?”

  “In the next hour. With any luck, we’ll see what we need to see and be back before morning.”

  Colt continued to study the map for a moment then froze. “Did you say we?”

  She gave him a nervous smile. “Yes, we. Jeremy and Kyler are going with me.”

  His jaw twitched as he stared at her. “Can Jane and I have a moment alone, fellas?”

  Three sets of eyes look at her for guidance. Even Brett seemed unsure what the right response should be.

  “It’s okay, guys. We can finish packing in a little while.”

  They left the room, closing the large double doors behind them. Jane felt the air leave her lungs as she waited for Colt to respond. He turned his back on her and started pacing.

  “Colt, please don’t be angry. I have to do this. You know I do.”

  He whirled around and stalked toward her. “Why are you so determined to get yourself killed?”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “No? Because going out there with just the three of you seems like a suicide mission. Have you thought this through?”

  She frowned. “Of course I have. I’m not an idiot.”

  “No, you’re not. So it baffles me that you are willing to take such a risk. What if you’re caught?”

  “Someone has to do it. I can’t ask anyone else to do something I’m not willing to do myself.”

  “But you don’t need to go. You can send someone else.”

  “No!” she yelled. “I can’t!” She balled her hands into fists. “Dammit Colt. Jeremy has speed and mental strength, Kyler can read minds, and I… I can do just about anything else. We will be fine. They’ll never know we are even there.”

  “You need to stay here. Your value to those bastards is placed above all else. If they get their hands on you again, they will never let go. We will have lost before we started.”

  Her frustration was mounting. “Are you sure you aren’t just worried about my value to you?”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Colt growled.

  “It means that you’re too concerned about something happening to me and you are losing sight of the big picture.”

  He looked like she’d just slapped him. “Is that so? Isn’t the big picture to save your friends and bring down the dirt bags that did this to all of you? You’ve built a talented little army here, sweetheart, but they can’t replace you. If you are caught, or killed, it’s game over for everyone.”

  She looked away, irritation radiating from her in waves.

  Colt stepped closer to her. “And why is it so wrong that I want you safe?” He lowered his voice to a pained whisper. “Jane, look at me. Please.”

  She moved her eyes to his, angry, unshed tears building on her lashes. Her mouth set in a stubborn line.

  He ran the back of his finger down the side of her face. “I don’t want to lose you. I don’t know how I’d survive it. I’m sure some of my motivations are selfish. I’ve never claimed to be a saint. I’m mostly an ass.”

  She tried not to smile at his confession. Sniffing, she swiped at her eyes.

  “You’re right that I’m worried. But it’s not just about you and me. This is a gamble on the entire mission.” He stepped back and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “They need you just as much as I do. Your guidance, training, and vision have brought them this far. They aren’t following the cause so much as they are following you.”

  “All of us are expendable, Colt. Any one of them out there could take up where I left off.”

  “Maybe, but they wouldn’t. You believe this can be done, so they do too. There’s not a single person here that would even consider trying this if not for you.”

  She shook her head. “I have to go, Colt. It’s not negotiable.”

  His voice lost its pleading tone. He sounded suspicious. “So, what aren’t you telling me?”

  She struggled to meet his eyes. Jane worried he’d see right through her, but she had no other options. After months of nightmares about Colt and everyone else dying, she couldn’t risk it. After Jocelyn confirmed her fears, she knew she had to personally assure no one else would be hurt. It was the only way. He hated it. He might even hate her. But she’d rather he be angry than dead.

  “Colt, not everything is black and white. There are so many things we don’t understand about ourselves, our gifts… Even each other. I have to know that any information we get is thorough, factual, and usable.”

  “So you’re saying you don’t trust anyone else to do this properly?”

  “Not exactly. It’s more like I won’t be comfortable until all my concerns and fears are put to rest. That isn’t something anyone else can do for me.”

  Resigned, Colt shrugged. “Fine. I’m going with you then.”

  “No,” she screamed, realizing too late that her reply was too desperate and panicked for her to backtrack.

  Her reaction surprised him. “You’re hiding something, Jane. Why can’t you just confide in me?”

  “I can’t talk about all this right now. I need to get ready.” She moved to brush past him, and he caught her arm.

  His stare was cold. “You don’t want me going because you’re afraid I’ll get hurt, right?”

  She swallowed hard, keeping her eyes on the floor in front of her.

  “So it’s selfish for me to worry about you, but when you worry about me it’s what… Noble? Heroic?” He pulled her a little closer. “You don’t think I can handle it. In your eyes I’m not capable of defending myself or anyone else, simply because I’m not gifted. I’m not useful to you.”

  She didn’t know how to reply. It wasn’t that he couldn’t be useful or even capable—he was wrong about that. But what they were up against was a force that required a matching strength, if not more, to defeat it. He could easily be a casualty of that power.

  He dropped her arm and let out disillusioned laugh. “Wow.” He turned to face the door and slowly strolled out of the room. Before he got to the door he pivoted back to look at her.

  “I knew someday this would come between us. I’d hoped I was wrong, but…” He looked at her one last time. “I don’t know how to fit in your world. If I have to compete, or prove myself to be worthy of your confidence and trust, I’m not sure we have anything left to say to each other.”

  He pushed on the double doors with both hands, anger causing them to fly open with a loud bang.

  She stood silent, willing the tears away. She needed to keep her head about her. She’d have to make Colt understand later. Right now, she had a responsibility to keep everyone safe, and she’d be damned if a broken heart would stand in her way.

  Colt paced the bedroom, resisting the urge to hit something. He knew his words were harsh, but her lack of confidence hurt like hell. After all they’d been through, how could she not trust that he could look after himself? Sure, he’d been tossed around by that idiot Gregory, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be helpful in a tight spot. He knew more about surviving in the elements than all of them put together, yet he was expected to sit back watch them trek up the mo
untain without him.

  “To hell with that,” he muttered as he grabbed a backpack and started tossing in a few things he knew he’d need. He strode out into the hallway, determined to beat Jane at her own game. “She wants to play covert guardian? I’ll show her how it’s done.”

  Colt’s long legs easily traversed the length of the hall in minutes. The dining area was empty, and he wasted no time as he rifled through the kitchen grabbing supplies and a first-aid kit. He couldn’t rely on her ability to heal him if she didn’t know he was there, so the kit was a necessary precaution. He finished stuffing his pack then slung it over his shoulder and went in search of Brett.

  He found him sitting alone in the library looking pensively at a chessboard. For a moment, Colt forgot about his own frustrations and focused on his little brother.

  “What’s that look all about?” he asked as he dropped the backpack on the floor and took a seat across from Brett.

  Looking up, he shrugged. “Nothing really.” He picked up a pawn then tossed it back on the board. “Women actually. They make me crazy.”

  Colt chuckled. “Amen to that.” He picked up the black queen and inspected the game piece. “The queen’s the most powerful, right?”

  Brett nodded.

  “So is the king worthless?”

  “Not at all. In fact, you can lose every other piece on the board and survive, but if you lose the king, you’re defeated.”

  Colt considered that for a moment, comparing it to his current situation. His queen was tough. Amazing even. She could do almost anything. But what kind of king was he if he allowed her to face it alone? Even in chess the king was on the board. She was trying to hide him away so no one could get to him, but that’s not how the game was played.

  “Brett, I’m going with the scouting party.”

  “You finally won her over then?”

  “No, she doesn’t know I’m going. I’m going to follow them.”

  Brett’s already sullen frown deepened. “How do you plan to accomplish that? They’ll hear you, or sense you… something.”

  Colt smirked. “Dad didn’t teach us all those hunting skills just to track deer you know.”

  “Oh, so you’re going full Rambo. I didn’t know you packed your ghillie suit.”

  Brett gave him an exasperated look. “I didn’t, smart ass. But you don’t need full camo to blend in and stay undetected.”

  “Okay, but when she kicks your ass for not listening to her, I’m gonna say I told you so.”

  Colt stood and slipped the pack over his shoulders. “Keep an eye on things here. If anyone asks, tell them I’m sleeping or not feeling well—whatever it takes. I don’t want anyone to know I’m gone.”

  Brett stood and gave him a mock salute. “Understood, Sir!”

  “I mean it, Brett. Not a word to anyone. We don’t need more of us out in the open than necessary.”

  “Sure, I get it.” Brett’s tone was serious. “Just do me a favor.”

  Colt nodded.

  “Come back in one piece, and bring everyone else with you. I can’t handle another loss.”

  Colt gave him a reassuring smile then ruffled his hair like he used to when they were kids. “I got it covered.”

  Brett bristled and shoved him away. “I’m not four, you know.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re a man. And I’m proud of you, Brett. But you’ll always be my little brother.”

  A moment of understanding passed between the two. They weren’t the kind of brothers that openly expressed their feelings to one another, but that love and bond was there.

  “Go get ‘em.” Brett waved him away and went back to his seat in front of the chess board.

  Jane, Jeremy, and Kyler stood surrounded by the rest of the group, minus the Henderson brothers. Jane had hoped Colt would cool down before she left. Despite their last conversation, she wanted to say goodbye. To let him know she loved him, no matter what. But when everyone was gathered, he was nowhere to be found. Brett told her he thought he was working off steam somewhere and that she should give him time. Brett obviously wasn’t a fan of her plan either and refused to join them at the send-off.

  Jane cleared her throat. “This will be the first glimpse of what we are up against. The three of us will bring back all the information we can gather, then we’ll work together to decide on the next step. While we’re gone, hold down the fort here. Keep each other safe. Practice your skills.”

  She glanced around at the faces of her friends. “If you need anything, Colt is staying behind. I know you all have come to trust and look up to him. He’s here for all of us, so don’t hesitate to ask him for help. Understood?”

  They all nodded. Caesar ran to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “You’re gonna come back, right?” he asked, his face full of fear.

  She bent down. “Yes, I’m coming back. You be my gatekeeper tonight. I’ll see you again in the morning, okay?”

  He pasted on a brave smile and nodded in agreement.

  She stood and looked around one last time, hoping to catch a glimpse of Colt. He wasn’t present. Maybe he was too angry to see her off. Pushing back the hurt, she straightened her spine and looked at Jeremy and Kyler.

  “Let’s get this over with.”

  They all donned their packs and waved goodbye, then started their long trek up the hillside, which began at the edge of their camp’s property. She took the lead as they tromped through high weeds and dead brush. Occasionally she’d stop and listen, assuring there were no noises that didn’t belong.

  Jeremy had taken up the rear, keeping a keen eye out for anything unusual or unnatural. Kyler tried to tune his senses to everything at once while keeping a snapshot of the map in his head. Jane was pleasantly surprised when she’d learned he had a photographic memory. He was like a human GPS, but better. He could tell them which areas would be difficult or strenuous. Kyler had also kept them from veering off-path more than once when she got a little turned around.

  They’d been hiking for about two hours when Jane declared she was ready for a break. Because of the elevation and position of the sun, it was getting darker on their side of the mountain despite the fact that sunset wasn’t technically for another forty-five minutes or so. She sat on a large rock and took a drink of water.

  Jeremy pulled some beef jerky out of his bag and made himself comfortable on the ground. He bit off a big chunk and chewed slowly, watching Jane. Kyler leaned against a tree. He appeared distracted and on edge.

  Jane rolled her neck, working out the tension she’d been fighting since they left. Despite her drive to avoid dwelling on how things ended with Colt, she couldn’t get him completely off of her mind. Every time thoughts of him crept in, sadness slipped in too. She opened her eyes and noticed Kyler staring at the ground in front of him, almost in a trance-like state.

  “Kyler, what’s up?”

  He slowly lifted his eyes to hers. “Nothing, just thought I heard something.” He stood and looked around the area. He tried to focus, but couldn’t narrow down on whatever it was that had caught his attention. He took a few steps in the direction they’d just come from and narrowed his eyes.

  Jeremy stood and stuffed the jerky in his pocket. Wiping his hand on his jeans, he moved to stand beside Kyler. “Are you picking up on something?”

  Kyler shook his head. “Nah, nothing.”

  Giving him a sidelong glance, Jeremy turned away and sent a questioning look to Jane. Shrugging, she stood, joined them, and looked around as well. After a few moments of the trio standing in a protective circle, she determined there was nothing to worry about.

  Jane picked up her backpack and slid her arms through the straps. “We should hit the road. We still have a good distance to go before we get there.”

  Jeremy nodded and grabbed his own bag.

  Kyler stood there a moment more; his face was expressionless, but his eyes reflected a discomfort he didn’t know how to explain.

  Colt stayed a safe distance behin
d the small group. He wore dark clothing and had smeared mud in a several places to break up the solid colors. He was light on his feet as he advanced at a steady pace, only stopping when they stopped. There were a few times he thought he’d been discovered, but whatever it was that had given them pause, they soon brushed it off and kept moving.

  They’d stopped for the second time and Kyler had expressed the need to pee. He promised he’d be right back and then took off to find some privacy. He backtracked for a bit, getting perilously close to Colt. Once he’d gotten within twenty feet of Colt’s hiding spot, he unzipped and relieved himself.

  Zipping back up, Kyler stretched and then looked in Colt’s general direction.

  “I know you’re there. Don’t worry. I won’t tell them.”

  Colt inwardly cursed.

  Kyler laughed. “Such a vulgar mouth you have, or rather, thoughts.”

  Colt fumed.

  “You don’t have to talk, just think what you want to say. Tell me why you’re following us.”

  Colt hung his head a moment, trying to clear his mind only of what he needed Kyler to know. “I need to keep her safe. I need to be sure you all return.”

  Kyler took a couple of steps forward. “I get it, man. I do. And to be honest, I’m glad you’re here. Something is off. I can’t pin it down, but we’re missing something. We may need the back up.” Kyler turned and looked back in the direction of Jane and Jeremy. “Do you have a weapon on you?”

  “Yes,” Colt thought.

  “Good. Keep it handy. And you can follow closer if you’d like. I’m the only one that can detect you at this point, and that was only because I picked up on your thoughts.”

  Without another word, Kyler trudged back up the path and joined his friends. Colt felt some relief that he had Kyler on his side. He was also anxious knowing that they both picked up on something sinister. It wasn’t like a solid warning for Colt, but more like that prickling sensation you get on the back of your neck when you know someone is watching you.

  He carefully inched closer to the trio as they prepared for the last leg of the hike. He could now easily hear their conversation. Kyler was keeping them occupied so Colt had time to move in. Colt decided he liked the kid more with each step. He resisted the urge to smile when Kyler offhandedly remarked to Jane that he thought Colt was a good guy, as Colt knew that was his way of saying “Yeah… I like you more than I used to as well.”