Chapter Thirty-Eight
Naura rolled over in bed, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. She’d never felt so alone in all her life.
Thoughts of Tony plagued her every second. The smell of his skin. His incredible lips on her body. The intensity of his stare.
“Naura…”
Tony’s deep voice calling her name startled her. He hadn’t attempted to connect with her in days.
She shouldn’t answer him, she thought, closing her eyes in defeat. He was a heartache, impossible to avoid. “I am here.”
“Thank God. Are you all right?”
“I am fine, Tony. How is Abbie?”
“She’s okay, sweetness. She just needs some time to grieve.” There was a brief pause. “When are you coming back?”
“It is better if I remain here for a while.”
“Better for who?” Came his terse reply.
“Tony? I am sorry for the pressure I placed on you. It was not my intention. I only wanted you to feel the love I have for you. I had no right to expect from you what you were not able to give.”
“Damn it, Naura. I—”
The door suddenly flew up, cutting off Naura’s connection to Tony.
Miquel stood in the moonlight, his chest rising and falling with every breath. “You must come with me.”
Naura sat up in bed and jerked the sheet up to her neck. “What is wrong?”
“Just move. I will explain on the way.”
With her heart hammering in her chest, Naura threw back the sheet, jumping from the bed as quickly as possible.
She accepted Miguel’s outstretched hand and ran along next to him out the front door, onto the porch, and through the jungle behind her small hut.
He didn’t speak until they arrived in front of a large structure. He jerked the door open and pushed her inside. “Stay here until I return. Do not open this door for anyone. Do you understand?”
“Miguel, you are scaring me.”
Regret shown in his eyes. “I’m sorry. Just do as I say. I’ll be back when it’s safe.”
He shut the door and left without another word.
Naura shivered, rushing to the window to watch his retreating back.
What could have him scared enough to flee in the middle of the night?
Moving closer to the window, Naura scanned the woods for signs of life, but nothing moved save for the wind blowing through the trees.
The sound of gunshots exploded in the distance, trapping a scream in Naura’s throat.
She froze, reliving the memory of the night she’d been shot in the back.
“Naura?” Tony mentally called, desperation clear in his voice. “Naura, damn it. Talk to me.”
“Tony. I cannot move.”
“Tell me what’s going on. I can sense your fear from across the gulf.”
A shudder passed through her at the next round of shots being fired. “Guns. They have the human guns, Tony. I can hear them coming closer.”
Several growled words that Naura had never heard before came through their connection. “Where is Miguel?”
“He brought me to this large structure in the trees and then disappeared. I believe he ran back toward the land walkers with the weapons.”
“How far are you from the beach?”
“Not far. I could hear the waves in the distance as we ran.”
“Can you get to the water without being seen?”
An explosion suddenly rent the air, rattling the windows and rocking the floor beneath Naura’s feet.
Slapping a hand over her mouth, Naura silently screamed. She’d never heard anything so terrifying in all her life.
“Jesus,” Tony snarled. “What’s going on?”
Fire rose above the trees in the distance, and more gunfire pierced the night.
“Son of a bitch. Talk to me, Naura. What’s happening?”
“There are gunshots and fire everywhere, Tony. I do not know what is going on, and I cannot see Miguel. What if he has been killed?”
“Can you get to the water?”
Naura peered out the window, making sure the fire was not between her and the beach. “I think so.”
“All those years of training are about to come in handy, baby girl. Make sure it’s clear outside your door, then I want you to run through the trees, away from the shots. Do not emerge onto the beach until you’re a safe distance away. Understand?”
Naura lifted her chin. She could do this. “Yes. I understand.”
“Good girl. Keep our connection open. I’ll be right here with you the whole way.”
Easing the door open, Naura hesitated a moment before stepping outside and escaping silently into the trees. “I made it to the trees.”
“Now run.”
Naura ran as fast as her legs would carry her, racing through the darkness, fighting the urge to look back.
She burst onto the beach without slowing, and dove headlong into the water.
Swimming to the second sandbar, Naura turned north toward the safety of Aukrabah…and Tony.