Phantom Game (GhostWalkers 18)

Jonas had learned over time to turn inward when there was anything new. He would examine whatever was happening and try to get on top of it before it escaped. Right now, Camellia’s touch on the neurons in his body produced a multitude of sensations in him. The drive to claim her was overwhelming, yet at the same time, that caressing motion began to, one by one, soothe those cells all going in the reverse direction, back to flowing correctly.

Crawley increased the pace just a little more, and this time, he stepped off the path, quickly correcting, but not before he had twisted the leaves on several bushes as he passed them. The second time it happened, he snapped a small twig so that it hung down along with the bruised leaves. Behind him, the leaves and fragile limbs of the bush slowly sprang back into perfect health. Crawley didn’t see that at first. Not until his third misstep off the trail and his glance back with satisfaction.

He stopped abruptly, bending down, hands on his knees, as if taking in air, his eyes on the repaired bush. He lifted his gaze to Jeff, then Kyle, finally to Jonas, all the while judging the distance. Wondering what his chances were.

Jonas could smell the anger and fear. The need to attack. Adrenaline surged all over again. Jonas wanted Crawley to take the chance. The man didn’t. Instead, he straightened slowly and took a long, suspicious look around.

“Keep walking,” Jeff ordered, his tone bored.

“Who else is with us?” Crawley asked. “Because someone is. Maybe more than one.”

“Does it matter?” Jeff countered. “Get moving.”

Crawley cursed under his breath and turned back to start down the mountain. This time, he didn’t walk fast. Jonas knew he was calculating the distance and hoping he could stall until nightfall.

Tell him to pick up the pace, Jeff.

“Get a move on, Crawley. You were more than happy to set a fast pace. Double-time it,” Jeff ordered.

Crawley glanced back at Jonas. He seemed to know who was giving the orders, and he was holding himself in check by a thread. He didn’t argue but did as Jeff instructed.

Jonas struggled to shake off the need to attack the man. It always took far too long to come down from the mix of animal and human predatory traits. It didn’t help that Crawley continued to trigger his instincts by his aggression toward them and determination to escape and kill them. Or that Camellia was too close to the man.

“Jonas?”

That voice of hers was enough to soothe any nerve ending—or light it on fire. Camellia just appeared out of the last remnants of the mist, looking beautiful. Her hair was dark, a deep chestnut, now that the sun shone down on it. He could see a reddish hue moving through the glossy shine. Ignoring the others, she came straight to his side.

Catching Crawley looking back at her, Jonas could barely hold back a snarl of challenge and the surge of aggression accompanying it. He wanted to rush the prisoner and take him out for just daring to see her.

“I thought we agreed that you would remain hidden.” He snapped it at her, refusing to look away from Crawley, even though the man was intelligent enough to know he was in danger.

Jeff and Kyle both felt the swelling tension as well. Kyle kept walking without acknowledging there could be a problem. Jeff threw Jonas a quick assessing glance over his shoulder but didn’t slow down.

Jonas took a deep breath. It takes time for the . . . adrenaline to work its way out of my system. Until it does, I can be unstable. I feel especially protective of you, Camellia. I can be dangerous in this state.

Her palm brushed his arm and then slid down to his hand. Perhaps you are, Jonas, but not to me. She spoke with absolute confidence.

Her touch sent little sparks jumping along his nerve endings and spreading through his body. He nearly jerked away from her. He felt like a wild animal, cornered, snarling and reacting with teeth and claws, and yet wanting to keep her close to him, at the same time needing to push her away to save her—or to save himself. To save what little was left of his honor.

You don’t know the first thing about me, Camellia. He should have pushed her away. At least let go of her hand, but instead, he locked his fingers around hers.

What makes you think I can’t see inside you the way you do me, Jonas? We’re locked together by the networks, by our neural pathways. It would be impossible not to see you in ways others can’t.

You can’t see the things I’ve done.

Or had to do, she corrected gently. Perhaps not, but I can see who you are, just as you can see who I am. Are you changing your mind about what you want? If you are, you need to say so now, Jonas. I’m taking a huge chance on you. Risking everything.