"Shit," Jane whispered.
The swarm went still, all movement ceasing. One by one they arranged themselves so they were facing Eva.
A buzzing started. At first low pitched, growing in volume until the drone drowned out the sound of the wind.
A disturbance started at the base of the tree, rippling in every direction as if someone had thrown a rock into their midst.
"GO!" Caden scooped up Eva, setting off at a dead run, the buzzing a deafening roar that kept growing.
Jane protected his back as they fled through the trees.
Even knowing their actions wouldn't be enough to save them, Caden didn't stop. It wasn't in his nature to give up. The woman in his arms demanded he figure a way for her to survive at least.
She was his. The only thing he'd ever truly considered his own. He wouldn't let her end this way. Even if he had to sacrifice his body to protect hers.
Caden poured more strength into his legs. He'd fight until the very last breath if that was what it took.
The tree line loomed before him, beckoning them with a false promise of safety. Even if they escaped the forest, the swarm would simply follow them.
Caden didn't bother with stealth, crashing through the underbrush as he held tight to the last vestiges of hope in the form of Caia. The mare would run herself ragged to carry Eva to safety.
Reece stepped into view, a lit torch in his hand. The determination on his face inspired a surge of speed.
The pathfinder had the look of a man with a plan. Caden pounded toward the other man, Jane on his heels.
Reece waited until Caden and Jane were mere feet away before lowering the torch to the hastily erected barrier of tinder made of dead sticks and fallen pine needles. It caught with a whoosh.
A distinct sickly-sweet smell rose from the smoke. A sign of the accelerant they'd use to assist the burn.
Smoke bloomed as Caden, carrying Eva, Jane right behind him crossed over the flames.
Only when he was on the other side did he pause long enough to see the dark mass of cicadas shying away. They reversed direction to avoid the path of the smoke.
"I knew it. They're afraid of smoke, just like most insects." Reece's tone was satisfied.
"Not bad," Caden told Reece.
The pathfinder had come through when they needed him the most. Maybe he had something of his cousin in him after all.
Reece shrugged. "I'd be happier if I'd seen it sooner. We could have destroyed the swarm before it woke up."
Caden shook his head. "If you'd been wrong, we could have gotten ourselves killed."
The lost opportunity stung, but Reece's actions had been a method of last resort. A desperate gamble when there was no other choice.
Caden would prefer a pathfinder who was cautious rather than overly confident.
They'd all live longer that way.
With one last glance at the swarm coiling in on itself, Caden strode toward the tree line.
"I'm going to remain behind for a little while. I have a few things to check here," Reece said to Caden's back.
Caden inclined his chin. Reece wasn't one of his people. If he chose to risk his safety to study the swarm, it wasn't Caden's place to stop him.
"Be careful." Caden started for the forest line.
"Wait." Reece's voice brought Caden up short.
