Kyle sounded much stronger. The pain was gone from his voice, and he lifted his head, dropping his hands away from his temples.
The leader is called Crawley. One of his men, a blond, short, with wide shoulders and abnormally long arms, just came up to him and told him he doesn’t like the fog. They’re having a discussion about it now.
Jonas immediately turned to Camellia. Will they be able to figure out that it isn’t normal fog?
Camellia shook her head. No, because it is real. The ground temperature is just a degree or two higher in spots. They won’t be able to figure out the reason for that.
Kyle smiled. That’s exactly what they’re talking about now. The blond—Crawley called him Mott—just told Crawley that there was something strange about the ground, maybe some sort of geological hot spot to make the temperature higher than in other places.
Camellia flashed an answering smile to Kyle. That’s good. If we need the cover of mist, we won’t have to worry about them getting suspicious when we generate it. They won’t consider it strange since they’ve already decided what could be causing it.
Crawley’s getting his team up, Jonas. They’ll be coming our way soon, Kyle reported.
I’ll need you in fighting shape, Kyle. How long of a recovery time will you need? Jonas asked.
I feel fine right now. Before, I was very sick and the pain was incredible. Whatever pressure point therapy Camellia used really helped. I’ll have to learn it.
Jonas let Kyle’s comment pass without remark. Now was not the time to discuss what Camellia had actually done to ease Kyle’s pain.
We’ll head back down the mountain and find a place where we can ambush them. I have to send word to Ryland to get our families ready for an all-out attack. Jonas was the strongest telepath. He would be able to project the farthest. Camellia, if you combine your strength with mine, I think we can actually double the distance. I won’t have to use any equipment that might risk tipping off the enemy.
Camellia nodded. They were all on their feet, ready to move out. Jonas watched Kyle carefully for any signs of possible problems. There didn’t appear to be any. He had pulled back from Gray but was ready to reconnect when he needed to.
We can’t risk leaving any tracks. If they’re enhanced, they could easily spot our trail if we leave one, Jeff warned.
I’ll make certain we’re not leaving any evidence of our passing on the ground, Camellia volunteered.
Jonas realized that was yet another huge asset the underground network could provide his team once he knew how to use it. There would be no evidence of footprints or disturbed leaves on shrubbery.
For now, he let Camellia ensure that their small group left no crushed vegetation as they raced on the narrow game trail back down the steep side of the mountain, weaving in and out of the boulders and trees. He set a brutal pace, but he wasn’t taking chances. They had to warn Ryland and prepare to deal with the eight enhanced scouts.
Camellia, have you been up this far before?
Yes.
Do you know the fastest way down the mountain to our compound? If you do, move into lead position and take over, Jonas instructed.
Camellia did so without hesitation. She stayed on the same course for another mile and then veered off the game trail, moving fast into a section of dense forest with heavy underbrush and no clear trail. It should have been impossible to hide the fact that they had passed through that way, but when Jonas glanced over his shoulder, the brush closed up behind them as if it had never been disturbed.
There’s a ravine ahead. It’s a jump of about thirty feet. Can all of you make it? Camellia didn’t even pause in her pace.
No problem, Jonas answered for all of them.
She ran at the same ground-eating pace he had originally set, and when the gap loomed ahead, she launched herself. The three men followed, clearing the distance easily. She was already running down a steep rocky slope, trees on either side of her, a ribbon of water glimmering in the early morning sun as it tumbled down the mountainside.
Five miles later, she suddenly took an abrupt turn, and they were back on a narrow deer trail. Jonas was almost certain he recognized the area where they were. He had hiked up that same trail with Jeff and Kyle before running into Camellia’s defenses. She had trimmed miles off their path.
We should be able to reach Ryland from here. We can stop in that little meadow just ahead, Jonas told her. Kyle, while we’re warning Rye, reach out again and try to connect with Gray. See if you can find out where they are exactly. Try to get an idea of their abilities.