Matteo was as tall as Claude, a good six and a half feet. He lowered his head and gave me a warm look. He studied me closely. “You never did tell me your Breed.”
“Sure I did.” I marched in the direction we’d been walking.
He caught up. “You’re not a Vampire. Not unless…” He wagged his finger at me. “Clever girl. You got me on wordplay, didn’t you? I bet you suck the souls out of your suitors.”
I smirked. “You’re probably right.”
He clutched my arm to stop me. “I need to know if you can protect yourself.”
“Would I be chasing a lion if I couldn’t? I know you have some instinctual need to protect women, but I’ve got a job to do. I’m not asking you to involve yourself. Just take me to the lions and go.”
“Follow me.”
Chitahs had decent night vision, so neither of us needed to use the flashlight as long as the moon kept periodically peeking out. Matteo moved through the woods as if he knew each tree, rock, hill, and fallen limb like the back of his hand.
He abruptly swung out his arm in front of me. After a few deep breaths, Matteo switched on his flashlight and approached a small clearing. The smell of charred wood lingered in the air like a dim memory. His light settled on the remains of a campfire now covered with dirt. General’s men had cleared out, but the dirt still held a mixture of footprints and paw prints.
“I thought they were camping here?” I said, clenching my fists.
He walked around the stone circle and rubbed his nose. “I can still smell their excitement.”
I wiped my clammy palms on my pants. “They wouldn’t attack my group in the middle of the night, would they?”
He delivered a cold stare, his voice flat. “When would you attackyourenemy? Daylight, when they’re awake and alert? Or after dark, when only one person is keeping watch while the rest sleep?”
I released a controlled breath. “This isn’t supposed to happen. I thought you said they were letting their animals out.”
“They are. For hunting.”
“I thought you meant for food, not my friends!”
I kicked a tree and flattened my palms against it. “How far can you take me? Do you know where to find my people?”
“Their scent is all through these woods,” he said. “They stopped many times.”
I turned around and locked eyes with him. “Tell me which way they went. I’ll go on alone.”
He took a step forward. “But then I wouldn’t get my prize. I promised to take you to the lions.” Matteo outstretched his arms. “They’re not here, so I haven’t made good on my word.”
I gripped his wrist and threw as much sincerity and thanks in my words as I could muster. “Lead the way.”
* * *
Christian finished splittinganother thick branch with his bare hands. He carried the bundle of wood back to the campsite. The kids huddled together on flat stones Christian had placed near the fire. He dropped the wood in a pile so they could keep the fire burning until dawn.
“We shouldn’t be lighting this,” Blue said as she held out her hands and warmed them.
“We’re in the middle of the godforsaken wilderness,” Christian pointed out. “The only thing that’s going to find us out here are the bears.” He took a seat on a tall stone, one of many he’d collected and placed at the campsite shortly before dusk.
“People camp in the woods all the time,” Viktor said, lying on his side with his head in his hand. “Besides, we need the fire to keep warm. Shifters will stay in their territory. We have seen no signs of trouble all day. This is good news.” He briefly closed his eyes when the flames grew brighter. “I wish I had my vodka.”
“Do you want another sandwich?” Blue asked. “I bought two loaves of bread, so there’s plenty.”
“Nyet. I have no room.” Viktor patted his stomach. “Save for the children.”
She breezed by him and wrapped up the bread before returning to the fire. “You should take food if you’re hungry. You won’t be any good to us if you’re starving to death.”
He chuckled and stroked his silver beard. “I am hardly starving, my dear.”
