Wild Rain

Chapter Eleven

THE forest appeared stately, the majestic trees rising like great cathedral pillars all around them. Smaller trees were scattered everywhere, creating a patchwork effect of silvery leaves, explosions of color and dark patches of bark. Staghorn ferns hung from trees, the vivid green prongs rustling in the slight wind as they hurried by. Moonlight filtered through the chinks in the canopy, casting flecks of light here and there on the wet forest floor. Rachael caught glimpses of leaves in every shade of red, iridescent greens and blues, anything to increase the refraction and absorption of light into the leaf pigment.

Rachael clung to Rio as he jogged through the forest. The dark never seemed to bother him. He moved at a sure, steady pace. She heard deer bark the alert signal of predators in the area as they passed, causing Rio to swear under his breath. Two very tiny deer burst out of the bushes ahead of them and raced into the undergrowth.

The roar of the river grew. The continuous croaking of frogs added to the din. Rachael's stomach lurched crazily.

"Rio, we have to stop, just for a minute. I'm going to be sick if we keep going."

"We can't, sestrilla, we have to reach the river. He can't track our scent in water." Rio continued moving over the thick, wet vegetation on the forest floor. It was dark and damp with small pools of water here and there. These and forest wallows didn't slow him down. He avoided the unnatural pile, of leaves and twigs signaling the nest of the resident bearded pig. Ticks carrying anything from tick fever to scrub typhus were often abundant in the nests and Rio took care to stay away from them.

Rachael concentrated on the forest rather than her discomfort. Twice she caught glimpses of large deer with thick horns, the samba deer, largest in the forest. It was dizzying to be rushed through the forest at night. There was an eerie feel to the way the canopy swayed above them, continually changing the patterns of light through the trees. Plants and fungi covered tree trunks so that plants appeared to piggyback on top of one another, creating a lush environment. Every now and then Rio gave a soft, grunting cough, alerting the animals to his presence in the hopes the nightjars wouldn't raise an alarm as they darted overhead catching insects on the wing.

The roar became louder. Rachael realized they'd been traveling at an angle upriver to meet the flooded banks. She put her mouth to Rio's ear. "You're not taking me to your elders, are you?"

He heard the little catch in her voice. "I want the sniper to think I am."

Rachael didn't answer, comforted that he wasn't abandoning her. They were slogging through the swamps, climbing carefully over the myriad of tree roots extending out from the base of the trunk creating little mini cages. Water lapped at Rio's knees. The look of the forest changed as they neared the river's edge. More light was able to penetrate the canopy, and many of the trees were smaller with crooked trunks and branches that draped low to hang over the water.

"Aren't there alligators and other reptilian things here?" Rachael asked. The roar of the river was deafening. The moist heat curled her hair even more, creating a mass of springy whorls and spirals. She had avoided the mangroves and swamps as much as possible along with all the other members of the group bringing medical aid. The edges of the river could be as dangerous as they were beautiful.

Rio waded out in the fast-moving water. "We're going to swim, Rachael. Hopefully Tama's potion will protect your leg from any further infection. I'm going to tie you to me, in case you get swept away by the current."

"Are you crazy? We can't swim in this." She was horrified. In the dark, the river appeared swifter and more frightening than it had during the day. Or maybe without bandits rushing out of the forest it seemed more dangerous. "We have no choice if we're going to get you to safety, Rachael. As long as he knows where you are, we're handicapped. He's mobile and we aren't. I swear, I won't let anything happen to you."

She stared into his face. Into his eyes. Studied Ms firm jaw, the tiny lines etched into his rough features. Rachael lifted her hand and traced one small scar down low near his chin. "Lucky for you, I'm a heck of a swimmer." She smiled at him, trusting him when she hadn't trusted anyone for as long as she could remember. "My name is Rachael Lospostos, Rio. It isn't really Smith."

"Somehow I knew that already." He kissed her upturned mouth gently. 'Thank you. I know that wasn't easy for you."

"It's the least I could do when I got you into this mess." Her dark eyes glinted with amusement. "You can kiss me again though. If I drown, I want to take the taste of your perfectly lovely mouth with me."

"You know you're distracting me. If we get eaten by an alligator, it's your fault."

"I heard they don't like fast-moving water," she said and fastened her mouth to his. They merged instantly the way they always did, sinking into one another and spinning away from the world.

Rio struggled to remember where they were and the danger they were in. She had a way of sweeping away sane thoughts and replacing them instantly with urgent hunger and need. Very carefully he lowered her feet into the rushing water, reluctantly lifting his head as he did so. It was the only way to breathe and keep his sanity and wits.

"I've got you, Rachael." His arm around her waist steadied her as he looped a rope around her and secured it around his own waist. "I'm not about to lose you. We're going to wade out where the water is moving faster, lift our feet and travel downstream with the current. We don't want anything to let him know what direction we're going. A leaf, the bottom of the river near the banks disturbed, anything at all can be a clue. We'll travel downriver for some time."

"Let's do it then." She didn't want to lose her nerve. She grinned at him. "At least I know you're not attracted to me because I look great." She swept a hand through her hair and took the first step. Her injured leg, even with the support of the water, didn't want to take her weight so she stretched out full length and began to swim.

Rio went after her, pride welling up at her courage. The moonlight fell across her face as she swam, and he watched the beads of water pour off of her. She used sure, strong strokes, cut cleanly through the water, almost as silent as he was. There it was again, that strange disorienting feeling of familiarity. He had been swimming with her before. He had seen an exact image, he knew the moment she would turn her head and take a breath of air.

The current was stronger in the center of the river and took them both with little effort, carrying them downstream. Rio caught her hand and held tight as they both bent knees and lifted feet to avoid rocks and snags as they were swept along. It was a dizzying experience, looking up at the night sky after so many days seeing nothing but canopy overhead. Stars, scattered across the dark backdrop, glittered like gems in spite of the clouds. The rain fell lightly, a fine mist, more than an actual shower so that Rachael turned up her face to feel the spray.

The river wasn't nearly as ferocious as when it was raging in the storm. There were no dragging undercurrents trying to pull her down. Rachael found she rather enjoyed the experience after lying in bed for so long. Rio stayed very close to her, hovering protectively, which made her feel cherished, something she'd never experienced. It was like a dream. Neither spoke as sound traveled great distances at night on the river.

They were swept around a bend and down a mini waterfall. Abruptly, Rio caught her around the waist and put his feet down. He struggled against the current, walking in the waist-deep water, dragging her with him. Rachael couldn't help him, other than to try to stroke strongly in the direction he wanted to go. Even with Rio's incredible strength, it was a battle to reach the small waterfall. He put his mouth against her ear. "Wait just a moment, I'm going under."

She held her breath as he disappeared. She felt the tug of the rope around her waist, but she was able to hold against the pull of the water. It seemed minutes before he rose up out of the water. She sighed with relief and flung her arms around him.

Again he put his mouth against her ear. "You'll have to hold your breath and duck underwater, we're going to swim through a tube."

She nodded to show she understood and went with him, allowing the swirling water to close over the top of her head. It was impossible to see anything and she didn't even try, hanging on to Rio with all her strength. He pulled her through a small channel, a tube beneath the water. She felt the walls brushing against her shoulders and when she reached above her she could feel the roof inches from her head. She fought back claustrophobia, concentrating on the unexpected feelings she had for Rio to get her through. She detested small enclosed places, and swimming in the dark waters through a tunnel she'd never seen was a true test of her trust in Rio.

How had she come to feel such faith in him in such a short time? It didn't feel like a short time. She felt the tug on her body indicating she could stand. Rio wrapped his arm around her waist to help her out of the water. Her head broke the surface and she opened her eyes. It was pitch-black. The waterfall was a loud echo matching the continual sound of running water.

"Where are we?"

"It's a cave. You have to wade through water and keep your head low for a short distance and then we'll get you settled. I made the tube and hollowed out most of the entrance to the chamber. The chamber was a great find. It seemed a good place to escape to if I was seriously wounded." -

She caught the small bit of pride in his tone and smiled. "It sounds lovely. I've always thought being a troll's lover was incredibly romantic."

There was a small silence and then he laughed softly. "I've been called many things in my life, but troll is a new one." He swung her into his arms. "I'm going to carry you across the threshold."

"Lovers don't get carried," Rachael reminded. His ear was close to her face so she leaned forward and nibbled. "Only brides do."

"Well then, consider yourself married. And stop doing that thing with your teeth because I'm having one hell of a reaction to it."

"That sounds like it has possibilities. But I've been thinking. Why wouldn't some horrible reptile have discovered your handiwork and made a little nest inside your cave? If I were an alligator I'd be happy to use your hideaway. And if you came to visit, all to the good. Meals are hard to come by sometimes."

He laughed. "You have no faith, woman. I put in a plug to keep the creatures out. I unfastened the locks and opened the door, that's why we were in the tube so long."

"You didn't close the door."

"I'm taking you to high ground first. That's the gentleman in me."

She nuzzled his neck. "I do appreciate it, Rio, I really do, but in this one instance, I'll be happy to sort of stand here while you go back and secure the tube. I'm not ready for visitors yet, especially reptilian ones."

Rio caught the little tremor in her voice. "I'll do that immediately, Rachael. We're already in the cavern. Fortunately we're back far enough and the cave opens up into a wide chamber here so we can light a lamp. I brought several with me over a period of time." He set her down on a flat surface.

Rachael waited anxiously while he lit one of the lamps and hooked it above their heads for maximum coverage. She looked around her. The chamber was fairly large. Roots protruded and water dripped continually from several walls. There was no sign of alligators. Rio had quite a supply of items in the cave.

There was a large plastic container she assumed was waterproof inside a cage of roots. She could see there were several blankets and one of his many medical kits inside. She was sitting on a flat slab of stone. It was the only rock she could see in the entire cave. The floor around the walls was damp, but most of the water ran back toward the river. Rio had hollowed out a ditch to keep the water from dampening the floor of the cave.

"So what do you think?" Rio returned, soaking wet, sweeping his hair back with careless fingers. "Not too bad."

"I think it's wonderful," Rachael said. She was soaked and uncomfortable. She looked down at the shirt and realized it didn't do her much good. As wet as her shirt was, it was nearly transparent. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get out of these clothes. You should too, Rio."

"I've got a few things packed in waterproof bags for us," he said. He opened the container and rummaged through the supplies until he found a towel.

Rio knelt beside her and unbuttoned the shirtt, dragging it off her wet skin and tossing it aside. "Come on, sestrilla, stand up so I can get rid of these jeans."

His voice was gentle, tender even. Rachael allowed him to help her up, leaning into his body as he peeled the material from her hips. He wrapped the towel around her and began rubbing the drops of water from her skin. She swayed with weariness and it embarrassed her. He was the one who had jogged through miles of forest with her in his arms. He had been the one to use his strength to keep them from being swept apart in the river. And he was as soaked as she was.

"I've never met anyone like you," Rachael said. "Sometimes I'm not certain you're real."

Rio wrapped her in a dry shirt. "I have my good side," he teased. "Unfortunately, it just doesn't come out that often." He laid a mat on the slab of rock and covered it with a thick sleeping bag before helping her to sit down. Rubbing the thick mass of curls, he studied her leg. "The green gunk held up. We want to get that off the puncture wounds in case they still need to drain."

"It does feel better," Rachael said. "I'll have to remember to tell Tama he's a miracle worker."

Rio made certain she was comfortable before he peeled off his own clothes and rubbed the towel over his body,

"How long do you think we'll have to stay here?" Rachael asked.

"I'm going to use the rest of the night to hunt the shooter. He's leaving his own trail and he was injured. It will be easier for me to find him. I'll know you're safe and won't worry about him circling back and finding you alone in the house. Franz is already scouting for me. He'll pick up the trail, and he knows how to stay out of sight."

Rachael's eyes widened in shock. "You can't do that, Rio. Not after what you told me."

"He's hunting us. The only way to stop him is to go after him. Did you think we were going to live in a cave for the rest of our lives?"

"No." Rachael wanted to pull the covers over her head. There was no way to shield Rio from her past. "But before you go out and risk your life maybe you'd better find out who you're risking your life for."

"I know who you are."

"No you don't. You have no idea who my family is."

"I don't need to know about your family, Rachael. We'll talk about it when I get back. Wait here for at least forty-eight hours. If something goes wrong, head upriver toward Kim and Tama's village. Ask them to take you to the elders. The Han Vol Dan is your first changing. You can't allow it to happen until your leg is strong enough to stand up to the change. You'll have problems with sexual feelings. Emotions will continue to heighten, the heat, the need, the edgy, moody feelings you can barely control. You have to stay in control, especially if you haven't gone through the Han Vol Dan. The combination of the two passages can be explosive."

"Do you know how completely ridiculous that sounds? If I was watching a movie, I'd burst out laughing."

"Except you know what I'm saying is true. You've felt the animal roaring to get out. I've seen you come close to the change."

"Why wouldn't my mother tell me? In all the stories she told me, she never once mentioned I could assume another form."

"I don't know, Rachael, but I'm certain you're one of us."

"And if I'm not?" Her dark eyes moved over his face. "If you're wrong, would that mean that we can't be together? Are you allowed to be with someone that isn't a part of your people?"

His palm cupped her face, his thumb sliding over her skin. "I've been banished, sestrilla, no one can tell me what I can or cannot do." He leaned down to kiss her. "I'm coming back for you."

"You'd better come back for me. I don't want to wrestle alligators by myself." She tried not to cling to him, although she wanted to hold him to her. There was nothing she could say or do to stop him. Rachael knew how stubborn he could be. It was impossible to argue with him when he made up his mind to do something. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Whatever past they may have had seemed to intrude at the worst times. She knew him. She knew what he was like. "Just go, now, while it's dark. Remember, if you're right and he followed us, he could already be searching the riverbanks to see where we came out."

"You're upset."

"Of course I'm upset. I'm stuck here with this stupid leg and you're going to risk your life to stop this hit man." She shoved her hand through her hair, angry and near tears. "Don't you realize he'll send another? And one after that? And another and another? He'll never stop."

Rio nodded. "I figured as much. It doesn't matter, Rachael. We'll take them one at time and if necessary, I'll have a little talk with him."

Her face drained of all color. "No. No, promise me, Rio. You can't ever try to get near him. Not for any reason. You can't hurt him. And you can't try to see him."

The anxiety on Rachael's face twisted at his insides. "Rachael, I'm coming back."

"I know you will." He had to. She couldn't stay in a cave beneath the riverbank forever-unless he was with her. She might be able to live anywhere with him. The thought was frightening. She'd never considered that she might want to spend her life with someone. A lifetime seemed a long time to want to be with someone, yet, if she could have him, she would want more than one lifetime with Rio.

Rio forced himself to turn away from her, from the look on her face, so lonely, so vulnerable, so much pain in her eyes. He didn't dare gather her to him, he'd never let her go. He waded away from her.

"May all the magic of the forest be with you and may good fortune be your companion as you travel." Her voice was rough with raw pain. "Good hunting, Rio."

He stopped, keeping his back to her. He had glimpsed pain in her before. Knew the signs of trauma and betrayal. Was familiar with rage born of helplessness. The anguish went deep and left scars. He couldn't look at her. Her suffering was harder to bear than his own. "I don't know anything about love, Rachael. Meeting you was unexpected, but everything about you makes me happy. I'm coming back for you."

He continued to wade out into the water. She was crying. Her tears would be the end of him. He'd rather face the entire bandit camp than face her tears. There was no way to change what he had to do. He couldn't comfort her. There had been violence in her life. He recognized the signs. He could only hope that by doing what was necessary he didn't lose his chance with her.

Rio went under the water, swimming through the narrow tunnel he had painstakingly scooped out and shored up with an artificial tube. It had taken several years to find the chamber and secure an entrance. He had several places scattered around the river and forest he could use if necessary. His people were a secretive, cautious species and he had learned over the years the value of preparation.

Once under the small falls, he swam underwater to the center of the river and allowed it to sweep him farther downstream. He didn't want to leave tracks or scent for the hunter after he'd taken such careful precautions to keep Rachael safe. It was a risk leaving her in the chamber injured as she was. She had the weapons and light and food for several days, but still she could easily panic being underground. They were arboreal, preferring the high branches of the trees to the ground.

Rio spent many hours lying perfectly still, backup for his men. The others entered the camps to retrieve the victims. He remained outside from some vantage point, a marksman few could surpass, the last line of defense for his unit. He was used to the solitary life, living alone the way he did and carrying out his job, but unlike the leopard, his species were not meant to be alone. They mated for life and beyond. Rachael was certain to have a difficult time alone.

He exited the water a mile downstream from the waterfall, shifting into his animal form, happy to feel the full strength and power of his kind. He lifted his muzzle and scented the wind. At once he was flooded with information. He stretched languidly before springing easily over a fallen trunk. Dawn was beginning to break in the forest.

The thick, haunting mist shrouding the forest began to lift, slowly evaporating as the warmth of the sun penetrated the clouds. A chorus of birds began, each trying to outdo the other as the strange music rang through the trees. The range went from melodious to harsh, even tuneless, as they all called to one another flitting from branch to branch. A burst of colors as birds took to wing signaled morning in the forest. Gibbons joined in, claiming territory with gurgling cries and whooping yells.

The leopard ignored the noisy flapping and whooshing of birds with great wings as he leapt into the lower branches of a nearby tree to make use of the overhead highway. The forest had stirred to life and Rio utilized the noisy chatter, hurrying through the trees back toward his home in the hopes of picking up the scent of the hunter. Rio made his way quickly back upriver, listening for calls of warning or sudden silences that would indicate an intruder was stalking through the territory of the pigtailed macaque. Timid and shy, the macaque would often leap to the forest floor and run when disturbed, another sign of trouble.

It was the barking of the deer that alerted him first. The short, harsh calls were used to warn members of the herd among the trees as tail flipping couldn't be seen through the heavy shrubbery and thick tree trunks. Rio snarled and sank low on the branch, going completely motionless in the way of his land. The hunter had just become the hunted.

Because he wasn't high up in the canopy, the leaves of the tree he was crouched in remained still, unaffected by the wind. The sunlight filtered through the breaks of foliage overhead to dapple the leaves and forest floor below. That provided more concealment for him, a natural camouflage. Insects buzzed around him; a green fence lizard shifted its color from bright green to dark brown as it settled against a branch just a few feet from him.

A bearded pig grunted and crashed through the shrubbery beneath his tree, startled by something. Spring-loaded muscles bunched in anticipation. The tip of his tail occasionally switched, the only thing to move. Piercing yellow-green eyes smoldered with fire and intelligence. The leopard waited, frozen in place. The spotted leopard, a fully grown male, emerged cautiously, pushing its head through a multitude of ferns. The animal limped as it padded across the forest floor, snarling at the troupe of gibbons screaming foul things at him from the safety of the canopy. Twigs and leaves rained down as the monkeys threw things in defiance. The spotted leopard maintained his dignity for a few moments, then in the mercurial way of their kind leapt into the lower branches with flattened ears and exposed teeth. The gibbons erupted into a wild, terrified frenzy, rushing through the trees in every direction in an effort to get away.

Rio never moved, not even when the evil eyes, two spots lost in a pattern of spots, appeared to be staring right at him. Rio locked in on his prey. His yellow-green stare became focused, all tension gathered in his eyes. With great patience, he waited and watched, completely motionless. The intruder leapt back to the forest floor, a silent lift of his lip indicating his contempt for the gibbons. Cushioned feet allowed nun to move in silence over the thick vegetation.

Rio stretched out on the branch, a slow belly-to-branch stalk, using incredible muscle control. He crawled forward a few inches, froze and repeated the crawl, going from cover to cover-gaining inches, then feet, pacing above the spotted leopard. He reached the end of the branch. The spotted leopard moved silently just below him, unaware of Rio stalking him from above.

The intruder took one step. Another. Hesitated, opening his mouth wide, Rio sprang from above, hitting him hard, sinking canines deep, puncturing the fur-covered throat, while razor-sharp claws dug deep in an effort to rip and tear. Rio wanted the battle over as fast as possible. Fights between leopards were extraordinarily dangerous.

The spotted leopard was game, twisting with its flexible backbone, raking with extended claws, bucking hard to try to throw the larger cat off. Rio held on grimly, determined to end it. The roars and grunts echoed through the forest, a vicious battle between two dangerous foes. Overhead the birds took flight, calling warnings in every language they could. Squirrels and lemurs chattered and scolded… Monkeys screamed in panic. Flying fox took to the air along with the birds so that the sky seemed alive with wings.

The spotted leopard shook and twisted and snarled, raising at Rio, trying to eviscerate or cripple him. He couldn't shake the black leopard off; the canines remained buried in the nape of his neck, the jaw pressure enough to snap bone. It was over quickly, the surprise attack giving Rio the edge he needed in the fight. The spotted leopard gasped, suffocating, the throat crushed. The black leopard held him longer, making certain it was really over before dropping the cat on the ground.

Rio shifted into his human form, staring at the leopard regretfully. They needed every member of their species alive. Each leopard they lost was a blow to their survival. There had been no labels in the clothing the sniper had left behind, no means of identification. Rio had no idea which country his enemy had come from, or why one of his kind would choose to betray his people with such an act, but he was certain this one had not been born anywhere near his village.

Did that mean that Rachael's people knew what she was and that she was under a death sentence? They had strict rules they all lived under. The laws of the forest were for the common good of their species. If she had committed some crime against her people, it was possible they would send hunters after her.

Rio rubbed his hand over his face. If that were the case, her elders could appeal to the elders of his village to carry out the sentence for them. Rio was already under banishment. He doubted if the elders would stick up for his mate, especially if she wasn't known to them and under a legitimate sentence of death. He swore as he shifted back into the shape of a leopard to drag the carcass up into the high branches of a tree. He had no choice but to burn the leopard to preserve the secrets of their species. He had to find his nearest stash of supplies fast. Leaving the body of a leopard was extremely dangerous so he had no choice but to cache the body until he returned.

His mind raced with the possibility of Rachael's people condemning her. She admitted her own brother had taken out a contract on her life. It made sense, although he couldn't imagine what Rachael could have done to warrant a death sentence. He moved swiftly through the forest, ignoring the warning cries of the gibbons, still panic-stricken from the fierce fight that had ensued. Birds fluttered overhead, darting in and out of the trees. Deer crashed ahead of him, scattering as he leapt from branch to branch, occasionally taking to the forest floor and leaping over rotting tree trunks.

The wind shifted slightly, a tiny breeze where ordinarily the uncanny stillness in the air gave nothing away. Rio came to an abrupt halt. There was another in the forest close by. He recognized the scent of the leopard. The birds and gibbons and even the deer had been warning him, but he'd been so distressed over the thought of Rachael being under a death sentence, he hadn't picked up on it.

Fortunately, he was close to his pack. The box was buried nearby, in the cage created by the buttress foots of a large dipterocarp tree. He had marked-the fruit-bearing tree with a small symbol. Using his claws, he dug up the box quickly, listening now to the news of the forest. The second leopard was approaching quickly, obviously catching his scent.

Rio shifted to human form, strapping on weapons as fast as possible, his expression grim. Only after his guns were checked and his knives concealed did he drag on the clothes and attach the small medical kit to his belt. Feeling the impact of the leopard's focused stare, he whipped around, rifle up and ready, finger on the trigger.

"You're up early, Drake." His voice was pleasant, relaxed, casual even, but the barrel never wavered from dead center on the cat's brain and he didn't take his finger from the trigger.

They stared at one another for a long moment. Drake's form contorted, lengthened, muscles reshaping to form the man. He glared at Rio. "You want to tell me why you're still pointing that thing at me?"

"You want to tell me what you're doing here?"

"I spent most of the night tracking you and that rogue leopard. You, I lost, he wasn't as good. You wounded him and that made it easier for me to track him."

"Why?"

Drake frowned. "You tick-ridden son of a bearded pig. I decided to go back to guard your butt out of concern for your well-being. By the time I got back to your place, you and Rachael were gone and I had to track you through the forest. It was slow going when I realized the sniper was tracking you as well. He lost you a few times and I stayed behind him, wanting to see what he did." Abruptly he stopped and glared. "Damn it, Rio, put the rifle down. It's not only insulting, it's annoying."

Rio slung the rifle over his shoulder. He kept his hand free, ready to go for his knife even while he grinned at Drake. "I am not tick-ridden."

"That depends on who you ask. Where's Rachael?"

The smile faded from Rio's face. "Did the elders send you, Drake?"

"What is wrong with you? Why would the elders send me to protect your sorry butt, Rio?"

Rio didn't smile. His eyes gleamed with piercing intelligence, smoldered with danger. "Did they send you after Rachael?"

Drake frowned. "I never made it back to the village. I went with Kim and Tama upriver toward their village, but changed my mind and doubled back. As far as I know, the elders have never heard of Rachael. And if they have, they certainly don't know she's with you. Tama and Kim would never say anything. You know them. You know they could be tortured and they'd never say anything. What's this all about?"

Rio shrugged. "He was one of us. Not our village, I doubt if he was born in this country, but he was one of us. Why would he hire out to kill one of his own kind? A woman at that?"

"We aren't a perfect species, Rio, you should know that." The moment the words escaped, Drake shook his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. There have been a few rumors over the years. A few going after money, women, power. We aren't immune to those things, you know."

"I guess not. I appreciate you watching my back, Drake. Sorry for the reception."

"The pitiful reception. I trust you got him."

"He's dead. He left his clothes behind last night and there was nothing in them, not even a label. I needed matches."

"You haven't told me where Rachael is. You didn't

leave her alone, did you?" Drake sounded anxious.

"She's fine. She has a couple of guns and a few knives. She's handy with a stick too. I'll tell her you were expressing your concern."

A slow grin spread over Drake's face. "You're jealous, Rio. You've been bitten by the green-eyed monster. I never thought it would happen, but you fell like a tree in the forest."

"I'm cautious, Drake. There's a difference."

"I think you just tried to insult me, but I'm laughing too damned hard to care. Where is this mystery man? You go get your lady and I'll take care of the mop-up. I'm heading back to the village to call up the unit. We're going in after that church group."

"Who's guarding your worthless butts, Drake?"

Drake shrugged. "Conner is a crack marksman. He isn't you, but he'll handle it." He held out his hand for the matches.

"I don't like it, Drake. Breaking up the unit is a bad idea."

"What's the alternative? You can't leave Rachael alone. Unless you bring her to the village. You know that would be risky. You two belong together. I don't know how well that's going to sit with them."

Rio handed him the matches. "I'm heading home, Drake, call me on the radio when you're going in."