Maya headed deeper into the woods. There was a place she knew of, had heard one of the paramedics talk about when they’d picked up a homeless man. She’d listened to the story of exactly where they’d found him, and knew she would be able to remember the way. She’d been there before. Curiosity had led her there on one of her Sunday walks, partly to check out whether the paramedic had told the truth, and partly because she’d had nothing better to do that afternoon.
She found the path she was looking for and jogged at a fast pace. At every sound, she jerked, ready to speed up if Ricky was coming for her.
He’d never give up until he had her; she’d seen it in his eyes. The evil that had rolled off him had been strong, and now that she knew what he was capable of, she was surprised at herself that she hadn’t sensed it the moment Gabriel had introduced him in the kitchen.
How had Ricky been able to mask his true intentions from his friends and colleagues for so long? Did it have something to do with Ricky’s special gift that Gabriel had mentioned? That he could dispel people’s doubts. He’d confessed that he’d done it with hers. She remembered now that her skin had prickled uncomfortable that night she’d met him in the kitchen, but she’d written it off to the approaching fever. Now she knew he’d used his skill on her then.
Even Gabriel had trusted him, enough to send him to talk to Barbara and Paulette. And she’d unwittingly handed her two friends to him on a platter. All he’d had to do was kill them. Maya’s stomach lurched at the thought. No, she couldn’t allow herself to think this way now. She had to remain strong. Ricky was evil, and he would have found them either way, even without her help. And he would have made sure nobody would be able to find a trace of what he’d done.
Maya stopped at the sound behind her. She held her breath and kept still, afraid to make a move and give her position away. There, another twig snapped. Somebody was walking in her direction. Her heart beat in her throat and perspiration built on her palms and her neck. She felt the moisture run in tiny rivulets down her back and chest. Had he found her already?
The large tree she had hidden behind blocked her view. But she knew he was there. She heard the rustle of the leaves and the sound of his boots on the ground. Searching the ground beneath her feet for anything she could use as a weapon, she discovered a short wooden stick. Without making a sound, she bent down and palmed it. She hoped it would make a good stake.
Maya took in a much needed breath – and froze as the scent filled her lungs.
She stepped around the tree and leapt at the man who stood in front of her. “Gabriel.”
His arms came around her as he pressed her to him and buried his head in her hair. “Oh, Maya, I thought I’d lost you.”
Before she could answer him, his mouth took hers in a fierce kiss, wiping away the memories of Ricky’s touch. When they came up for air, Gabriel stroked his hand over her face.
“Ricky, he’s after me. It’s him. He’s the rogue.” The words came spilling from her lips.
“We know. Amaury and Zane figured it out. They alerted me, but I got to the house too late.”
“I injured him, but I don’t think he’ll give up.”
Gabriel nodded. “I’ll alert the others to where we are. You’ll be safe in a few minutes.”
He pulled out his cell phone and started to dial.
Maya stared at it, instantly recalling Ricky’s own phone. “Shit!” She snatched the cell from his hands before he could react and smashed it against the tree with such force that it splintered into hundreds of tiny pieces.
“What the – ”
Gabriel stared at her as she destroyed his only means of communicating with his colleagues. What on earth had gotten into her?
p. “You led him right to us.” There was no accusation in her eyes, only grim horror.
“How?”
“He has a tracker on you. I saw it on his iPhone. He knows where you are. We have to run.”
Gabriel cursed himself. Instead of saving her, he’d put her in more danger. He’d found her because of his unique connection to her and the fact that he could tap into her memories. Ricky didn’t have those skills and had probably followed him all along. And he, idiot that he was, had led him right to her. He couldn’t be far behind them.
“God, I’m sorry.”
“This way. I know a place where we can hide.”
Without hesitation, he followed her as she ran further into the woods. He only hoped that Ricky was far enough behind them that they’d have a chance to get away.
They zig-zagged through the forested area before they reached the edge of a small meadow. Instead of crossing it, Maya continued hugging the tree line, staying hidden in their shadows. Gabriel was only steps behind her. But he didn’t speak, despite the many questions he had. If Ricky was close, any sound could lead him their way. While he was certain he could defeat him if confronted, it was too close to sunrise to fight. Even though he hated the idea of hiding, for Maya’s safety sake, he knew he had to.
When she turned and locked eyes with him, he knew she wasn’t angry at him, merely scared. And he wished he could wipe that fear off his face, but there was no time for it now. He gave her a reassuring nod and followed her around a bend on the barely recognizable footpath she appeared to know.
As they came to an earthen mound, she stopped.
Gabriel drew up next to her and saw what she was looking at.
Notched into the small hill that looked
