Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

About the Author

RILEY’S JOURNEY

by

P. L. Parker

Riley’s Journey

COPYRIGHT © 2007-2011 by Patsy L. Buker

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from P.L. Parker.

Published by Amazon KDP

Seattle, WA

Electronic KDP Edition: October, 2011

This book is a work of fiction and all characters exist solely in the author's imagination. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any references to places, events or locales are used in a fictitious manner.

Cover Art by Sandra Edwards

Cover Art images obtained from Fotolia.com

This book was formatted for Kindle and Nook by Sandra Edwards.

Dedication

For all those who believed in me.

My special thanks goes out to Sandra Edwards for the beautiful cover art and her help in formatting this book.

CHAPTER ONE

Facing the void, he cried out in anguished desperation, “Bethany! I can’t stand it anymore. I should have stayed and faced them!” His cry went unheeded, only the sound of the wind whipping through the trees answered. The quietude, once treasured, had quickly become a prison, and loneliness for his own kind overwhelmed him. He fell to his knees, despairing of ever touching another human face again.

* * *

“Let’s see,” Dr. Collins commented, as she shuffled through Riley’s application file. “Your qualifications are excellent. You’ve received your Ph.D. in botany, with a master’s in biology. Good, good! Now, Ms. Ames, tell me about yourself, tell me about your hobbies, that sort of thing.”

Riley took a few moments to gather her thoughts. “Well, I’m 28, unmarried, I live by myself. I don’t even have a cat. My only hobby is reading. I love to read just about anything.”

“Why do you think you should be the one selected?”

“As you said, my qualifications are excellent. Besides my scholastic achievements, I am also certified in CPR, which could be an asset in the right circumstances.” She hesitated, smiling, “I am also an excellent cook and I can handle that end of the project if the need arises.”

“Anything else you would like to share?” she questioned as she eyed Riley over her reading glasses.

“No, I think everything else really important about me is there in my application.” Three months ago, this job had appeared on the reader-board at the university library. The flyer explained about the research project and the specialties needed to fill out a research team currently under organization. Riley jumped at the chance. She immediately submitted her application and anxiously awaited a response. Never happy about being in a lab, field work was what she had always dreamed about and this position was her best opportunity to date. After what seemed like an eternity, a letter arrived acknowledging her application and requesting that she contact the woman before her, Bethany Collins, head of the research project, for an interview.

“You understand this project would require you to be away for an extended period of time, and at a site that is extremely primitive.” She waited, studying Riley intently.

Her response came out in a rush, “I understand, and I would like to add that I would be perfect for the position. I don’t have any family. I’m an orphan and what few friends I have won’t miss me that much. I’m not much of a social animal and I’ve never enjoyed being in crowds. It would be wonderful to have the chance to get away from the city for awhile.” Sadly, though Riley hated to admit it, there would be no one who would really miss her if she left.

Dr. Collins nodded her head, shuffling papers again. Finally she folded her hands and looked hard at Riley. “We have a few more applicants to interview, but I must say, you’re the most promising I’ve interviewed so far.”

Riley’s breath expelled. “I am really excited about this research project and I know I can do the work. I just need the opportunity to prove myself.”

Dr. Collins stood up, extending her hand, “We’ll be in touch. We should have a decision by the end of the week. If you are selected, how soon can you be prepared to leave?”

“I can be ready any time, just let me know. Where is the research facility anyway?”

Dr. Collins hesitated, choosing her words carefully, “The home base for the research facility is in northern Montana, but we’ll only be there for a short time before we leave for the actual site. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the right person, but it will be rigorous and there are some hardships that can’t be avoided.”

“I can handle it and I want the opportunity to be on the team!” The interview over, Riley turned to leave.

“One more thing,” Dr. Collins stopped her, “We will require that the selected applicant have a complete physical prior to departure. Do you have any medical problems that would hinder your ability to fulfill the duties of the position?”

“None that I’m aware of. I haven’t had a physical for awhile, but my health has always been excellent.” Dr. Collins nodded, smiled and then waved her out.

Outside in the waiting room, Riley took a deep breath and relaxed. That went well! She was somewhat mystified by the job parameters, but what she did know seemed reasonable, although vague. Now all she had to do was wait to see whether or not she would triumph over the other applicants. Feeling confident, her mood lifted, and she sauntered out.

* * *

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to go through with this,” Miles strongly objected. “And how do you really expect to cover it up?”

“I have to! I can’t let him stay there alone anymore. He won’t make it if I don’t do something soon!” A spasm of guilt washed through her, but Bethany quickly contained it. Nathan was the only thing she really cared about. She had to do something.

“Have you given any of the applicants any idea what the research is?”

“Somewhat, but not everything!” she snapped at him.

“Do you think that’s fair? I don’t!” His myopic eyes studied her through the pop-bottle lenses of his glasses.

“When has life ever been fair, and why do you care anyway? It’s no skin off your nose if anyone finds out about it. I’ll be the one who shoulders the blame for my actions, not you!”

His face darkened, “Maybe so, but part of this project is my baby and it’s my butt that’ll be in a sling right along with yours if something goes wrong. What, if anything, have you told the applicants anyway?”

“I told them the job entails a number of hardships and they would be away for an extended period.”

“Do you think forever comes under the category of ‘extended period’?” His mouth tightened. Bethany had gone too far this time! Even though he really couldn’t care less, these young women deserved the right to make a decision based on the facts. Where they were going, there was no return, and it was criminal not to advise them of that one small detail.

“Besides,” she defended herself, “I made sure that every girl I interviewed had no family and nothing to hold them here.”

“That’s not the point, and you know it!” He was growing angrier by the moment. “You don’t have the right to do this! What you are planning to do could ruin the whole project, and if you can’t understand that, then you need help!” He turned and stalked out, his back stiff with anger.

No, she didn’t have the right, but it wouldn’t stop her. Nathan deserved better than what life had dealt him and she was just the one to make that happen. She picked up the applicant folders and leafed through them again. Of the two left to interview, only one was vaguely interesting, but a quick look at the enclosed picture dampened her limited enthusiasm. She looked too much like somebody’s grandmother.

The young woman who was just here, Riley, would be perfect. She was alone and unfettered, by her own admission. Bethany pulled her file and leafed through it. The photo caught her attention. Physically, Riley was very attractive—taller than most, slim in the right places, and voluptuous where it counted. Her best features were her large emerald green eyes and long, thick auburn hair, which she had pulled back into a braid. She didn’t appear to wear cosmetics of any sort and didn’t need them in any event. She was intelligent (which was one of Bethany’s foremost prerequisites), and possessed the right education and skills to aid her survival in the environment to which she would be thrust. Better yet, nothing about Riley Ames even slightly hinted at any similarities between her and Emily. Another spasm of guilt assailed Bethany. She knew it wasn’t fair, but life hadn’t been fair to Nathan either, and this was her chance to make things right.

* * *

Riley spent the next few days waiting anxiously for the phone to ring. Each time it did, she jumped, her heart pounding, praying it was Dr. Collins. On the morning of the third day, the call finally came. The job was hers!

Elated, she rushed around packing and doing last minute preparations. She was told that an appointment had been set up with the university medical facility for a routine physical later that day and as soon as the results came in, she would be on her way.

She looked around the small apartment that she had called home for the past year. Nothing set it apart from any of the others she had lived in over the years. There just didn’t seem to be any reason to make it homey—she hadn’t planned on staying very long and, in any event, it was just an apartment and she was happy to leave it behind. Other than her clothes and a few of her most treasured books, everything else could be stored until she returned.

By the time the medical appointment rolled around, her bags were packed and the rest of her personal items readied for storage. One last item remained—a small photograph of her parents, the only thing she had left of her early years. Both her parents had been killed in a car accident when she was very young; this was the only treasured memento she had, and she was never without it.

After their deaths, her life changed drastically as she moved into a series of foster homes. Most of the homes were good ones and she was treated well, and since she was an excellent student, ultimately, she received a scholarship to the nearby university. She studied hard, both in undergraduate and graduate classes and now it was time to put those long years of schooling to use. She was excited at the prospect and looked forward to making a name for herself in her chosen field. Wrapping the photograph, she put it in a side pocket of her luggage, securing it carefully for the trip.

The physical proved to be embarrassing but uneventful and other than waiting for the results of a few blood tests, everything looked good. The tests would be back by tomorrow and, if everything went according to plan, by tomorrow evening she would be on her way to Montana and the start of her new life.

CHAPTER TWO

Dr. Collins met her at the small airport in Kalispell, Montana. She rushed Riley out of the airport and into a battered SUV, her attitude barely civil. A short, but beautiful drive followed to the research station north of Glacier National Park. Though it was the end of summer, the temperature in Kalispell was considerably lower than Helena, where the first leg of her flight ended—the crisp mountain air surprising her with its briskness. Dr. Collins seemed nervous and rarely spoke to her, answering in short, terse sentences if Riley asked a question; leaving Riley to wonder whether she was regretting her choice.

Electrical fences surrounded the research station, which sat in the middle of a high valley. Vicious looking dogs patrolled the fenced enclosure and a guard station at the entrance kept unwelcome visitors at bay. Dr. Collins barely flashed her ID card as she sped through the gate, careening around corners and coming to a skidding stop in front of a building identified as staff quarters.

“We’ll put you up here until the rest of the team arrives,” she pulled Riley’s luggage from the SUV and dropped it unceremoniously on the steps. A heavyset man exited the building and as he did so, he noticed them and stopped. His demeanor was not welcoming and Riley’s confusion deepened. She felt like an uninvited intruder.

“When do the rest arrive?” The concourse was empty and the whole facility was too quiet.

“Most of them won’t be here until next week sometime. Make yourself at home. There’s a small cafeteria in back, and you can use any of the rooms that are unoccupied at present. I’ll be back in the morning to give you a short tour of the facility.” With that, Dr. Collins jumped back in the SUV and sped off, leaving Riley standing by herself. The heavyset man watched for a few minutes and then walked over.

“My name’s Miles…Anderson. I’m the head of research here.” His pompous tone of voice and the small hesitation before extending his pudgy hand was downright rude.

“I thought Dr. Collins was the head?” Confused, she returned his handshake, his hostile attitude setting off warning bells.

“She is, for her part, we sort of share that responsibility. She’s more the development end, I’m pure research.” Riley felt like he was assessing her.

“Well, I’m really excited to be here and I’m anxious to start,” she responded warmly.

“Don’t get too excited. I’m against this, as Bethany well knows.” He withdrew his hand as though in distaste and turned to leave. “Watch yourself. Bethany’s known for her rash behavior and quite often acts before she thinks things through.”

As he walked away, Riley’s confusion deepened. What an odd thing to say. She was getting the distinct impression that her presence here wasn’t exactly wanted.

Gathering her bags, she hauled them up the remainder of the steps and into the building. The interior was dark and even cooler than outside. Little effort had been made to make the inside welcoming; brown tile floors, tan walls and a few run down furnishings were all that graced the main room. It reminded her of a mental institution or hospital. Doors intersected the hallway to the left and it was down that one she ventured. Not wanting to be too near the main door, she chose a door halfway down and opened it cautiously, ready to make her apology in the event it was already occupied.

The door swung open easily into a partially furnished room. A rolled up mattress sat on a military-style cot near a small metal night stand. The only other furniture was a small dresser which doubled as a desk, and a small swivel desk chair.

At best, it was bleak and uninviting. Shrugging, she put her luggage down. She had been told conditions were less than appealing and in any event, she didn’t plan on spending a lot of time in this room—she was here to do research.

Stomach growling hungrily, she followed the hallway to the back of the building. As Dr. Collins had indicated, a small cafeteria ran the entire length of the rear. Several dark complexioned individuals worked at cleaning up.

“Is it too late to get something to eat?” she asked the nearest attendant.

He grinned, “There’s always something in the refrigerator. Help yourself.” She smiled back and moved around him, heading to the kitchen.

The attendant looked quizzically at the others nearby. “Wonder what she’s doing here? Isn’t this facility supposed to be totally closed down pretty soon?” They shrugged indifferently. All they knew was that their jobs were finished and they had two weeks to find another position somewhere. He thought it was strange, but since it didn’t affect him one way or the other, he forgot about it.

* * *

Dr. Collins gave Riley the promised tour, albeit the abbreviated version. For such a large facility, there were very few employees lurking about. Collins’ explanation was that it would pick up when the rest of the team arrived, but until then, a large work force was unnecessary. It sounded convincing, but Riley was curious as to why she had been instructed to be here in advance of the rest of the team.

Dr. Collins didn’t seem interested in having Riley begin working, instead, she provided her with a number of books on survival in the wild, instructing her to read them as soon as possible and to pay attention to details.

Later that day, she was taken to the staff exercise area and introduced to Jonas Whitehorse, the head of the facility’s security force. Mr. Whitehorse was an American Indian, tall, dark-skinned, with black hair worn in a single braid at the base of his skull. Muscles bulged from every body part, rock hard and unyielding. Nothing soft about this man. He began by explaining that his job was to teach her the skills she would need to survive in a hostile environment and the basics of self-defense.

“Why do I need survival training and self-defense?” This didn’t sound good.

“I get paid to do what these people want, and all I know is that I’ve been instructed to teach you,” was Jonas’ simple reply. His response troubled and confused her. It didn’t take a great deal of imagination to realize that she was way out of her depth with this guy and he didn’t appear to be the type to take that into consideration.

“But I still don’t understand. I’m here to do research. Why do I need this kind of training?”

His dark eyes were guarded. “A person never knows when self-defense or survival training just might come in handy.”

For the next three hours, her life was a misery of running, jumping, crawling, dodging, rolling and whatever other inhumane torture her tormentor could dream up. At the end of the session, sweat dripping from her agonized body, Riley was convinced that she’d made a huge mistake in coming here. “Mr. Macho” looked as fresh as he did at the beginning. Grinning, he rewarded her with one tiny bit of praise, “You did okay for a greenhorn.”

Glaring at him, her body a mass of aches and pains, she limped away, fully intent on spending the rest of the day in a hot tub with some sort of alcoholic relaxant.

“Same time tomorrow,” he called at the last minute, just before she had made good her escape. Stopping, she turned, “Are you kidding, I have to suffer through this again?”

“Every day for the next two weeks—that’s the plan.” He laughed at her scowling face. He wasn’t kidding; every spare moment she had, he was drilling her on hand-to-hand combat techniques, testing her endurance and quizzing her on wilderness survival.

A week later, the rest of the team still hadn’t arrived, and when she asked Dr. Collins about it, her only reply was that there had been some sort of temporary delay and they would be arriving soon. Other than Riley’s sessions with Jonas, she had very little contact with any other residents at the facility.

CHAPTER THREE

Miles burst into Bethany’s office. “You have to stop this! You can’t send her there. It isn’t right!”

Bethany looked up from her computer, “We’ve already gone over this a hundred times, and my answer is the same.”

“I won’t let you! I’ll contact the authorities and have a restraining order put on you.” Nervously, Miles shifted from one foot to the other, standard movements when he was agitated.

“And if you do that, what will you tell the funding committee when I tell them about the supposed research trips you’ve been taking on their money?”

He stammered. “Wha...what do you mean?”

“I mean those trips to the Bahamas, you know, the ones where all your expenses, including visits to the nearest prostitute, are paid by our research funds.” Bethany wasn’t about to let this weasel foil her plans. She’d held onto this information for just such a contingency.

“You wouldn’t dare!” he stuttered. “Besides, you don’t have any proof.”

Bethany opened her desk, taking out a stack of papers. “I have the proof right here, including a tape documenting my conversation with a Ms.—let’s see…I believe her name was Desiree or maybe Desire—anyway, she had quite a lot to say about you. It’s very simple. Either you help me or you don’t,” she stated calmly. “I’ll do what I have to do, and if you even think of stopping me, you’ll never work again. I’ll see to that. So either shut up and help me, or be prepared to spend some time in some nice little place away from the rest of the world where you’ll have your choice of boyfriends, probably a whole bunch of them.” Her threat hung ominously in the air.

Miles’ pudgy face blanched. Nervously, he cleared his throat, “So when does this happen?”

Bethany speculated briefly. “By my calculations, the window of opportunity is best on Friday and that’s what we’ll shoot for. Are you with me, or not?”

Miles hung his head miserably, his face flushed. “What choice do I have? But I want it on record that I strongly object. The girl deserves a choice.”

“What caused this surfeit of morals?” She sneered, knowing too well his past indiscretions and lack of ethics.

“I might have misused funds a time or two, but I would never stoop to murder!”

“Murder! I’m not murdering her! I’m giving Nathan hope.” Tears flooded her eyes and her lips trembled. Though the project had made some major advances, the funding committee had opted to close it down and gift the money elsewhere. Bethany had been devastated. Once the project closed, Nathan would be totally alone and lost forever. She couldn’t change the “lost forever” part of the deal, but she could change the “totally alone.”

“What do you call it,” he ground out. “Sending her there without telling her what she’s facing is as good as outright killing her.”

“Nathan’s been there for five years and he’s still alive,” she countered, not allowing doubts or guilt to change her course of action.

Miles tried one last time. “Nathan had a choice. He chose to go! You’ve never let her make any choices that mattered.”

Bethany’s chin lifted stubbornly, her eyes flashing. “Nathan was left with no choices either. He went because that was the only thing he could do. So don’t tell me about right and wrong, black and white! I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks! I care about Nathan! Now leave me alone, I’ve got work to do. I suggest you do the same.” The matter was closed, she had chosen her course of action and she was sticking to it, come hell or high water.

Left alone, she drafted a message to Nathan. Later she would print it and put it in a leather pouch she intended to send with Riley. If everything went as planned, Riley would deliver the pouch to Nathan and Bethany’s last wishes and luck would go with them.

CHAPTER FOUR

If anything, Jonas’ sessions intensified. Every aspect of Riley’s training centered on survival and her contact with Dr. Collins was practically nonexistent. Jonas pushed her hard every day and, as a result, she toned down fast. The unwanted layer of fat carried since high school miraculously disappeared with the arduous training and the diet he forced on her. Everything she ate was either meat or simple vegetables, and aimed at building muscle mass—totally bland and not geared toward culinary enjoyment. Jonas refused to answer any of her questions, reiterating over and over that he was only there to train her.

Finally, on Thursday, he opened up somewhat when she once again quizzed him. “Come on, Jonas, you have to know something about this place?”

“My job is security. I keep the place secure. Other than that, I don’t stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

“You have to know something! Even someone who doesn’t stick his nose in picks up some information after they’ve been in a place for awhile.”

He looked at her, considering, his eyes boring into her. “I had a best friend. He and I worked security around here. Me all the time. Him—just part-time. About five years ago, he had a run of back luck and then he disappeared. He was here and then he was gone. I haven’t see or heard from him since. I searched for him for about a year and then I gave up. That’s all I know.”

“Do you think he was killed?” Fearfully she looked around the gym, her skin crawling. “Has anything else like that happened?”

“If he was killed, they hid the body well. But whatever happened, it had something to do with this place. I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

“What was his name?”

“His name was Nathan Collins.”

“Collins? You mean like in Dr. Collins?”

“Yeah, her nephew. He got me the job here. Him and me—we were compadres. Worked Black Ops for the Government for a long time. Then he disappeared.”

“What do you suppose happened?”

“I told you all I plan to. Session’s over with.” He dismissed her casually, but as she started to leave, he stopped her. “This was our last day. You’ve done well for a newbie. Don’t forget what I’ve taught you and watch your back.” He strode out of the room, not looking back.

On Friday morning, several hours before dawn, Dr. Collins banged on Riley’s door. Staggering from bed and sleep disoriented, Riley fumbled with the lock and finally worked the door free. Dr. Collins entered briskly, carrying a large, weighty bundle which she thrust into Riley’s arms. “I want you to strip down to nothing and put these on.” Riley dropped the bag onto her bed and rummaged through the contents. Everything was fashioned from either leather or animal skins—heavy beyond belief.

“Whatever for?”

“Today’s the day we leave to meet with the other team members. Instead of coming here, they went right to the main site. They thought it would save time.” Dr. Collins averted her face while she spoke.

Riley had a moment of disquiet. “Is everything all right?” She questioned. “I get the distinct impression something isn’t quite kosher.”

Dr. Collins faced her, her face devoid of emotion. “Everything’s fine—just change into the clothes. Where we are going, the people are pretty primitive and we need to blend in.” Riley noticed that Dr. Collins wore her usual tan slacks and white polo shirt.

“What about you? Why haven’t you changed?”

“I brought these to you first. I’ll be ready in a few minutes. Get changed and meet me in the main research building.” She left as quickly as she came.

Riley undressed and redressed in the clothing Dr. Collins had provided. There were loose pull-on leather pants, the waistband a mere leather thong. They felt weird without underwear so she took them off and slipped on a pair of low riders, hoping no one would notice. Next she donned a soft leather tunic which fell to mid-thigh. Heavy outer clothing was also provided, along with fur-lined boots. By the time she had finished dressing, she was sweating like a pig in the air conditioned room. She couldn’t imagine where they would be going that required such heavy, layered clothing. Eskimos dressed like this, didn’t they? Maybe not quite this way, but similar, if she had her facts right. At the last moment, she slipped the tiny photograph of her parents into the pocket of her parka. She didn’t know how long she would be gone and she wasn’t going without it.

Riley waddled over to the main research building, feeling like a giant sumo wrestler, and barely able to move under the weight of the heavy outer clothing. The temperature outside was far too warm for this gear. It was definitely not made for warmer climates and the Arctic took first place on her list of possible destinations.

Dr. Collins was nowhere to be seen so Riley sat on the steps and waited for her arrival. A few moments later, Miles opened the door, waving her in. He seemed nervous and jumpy, offering no conversation and refusing to look at her. Riley grew more anxious as the minutes passed. Finally, Dr. Collins arrived, dressed in much the same attire as Riley. She handed Riley a heavily laden pack. “Will you carry this for me? I’ve got other equipment I need to take.” Miles snorted and turned away.

Riley nodded as Dr. Collins helped her to strap the pack on then led her into another room that had been previously designated as off limits. Equipment of unknown purposes ringed the room, complete with flashing lights, glowing buttons and keyboards, and at the far end, a huge door covered half the wall. Dr. Collins’ movements were frenzied, hurrying this way and that, pushing buttons, adjusting equipment, confusing Riley even more. Finally, Dr. Collins nodded to herself and once again took Riley’s arm, leading her to the door at the far end.

“Go on ahead through this door. I’m going to go outside and drive the van around and pick you up. There’s some heavy equipment in there that we need to take as well and it’ll be easier to load it straight from the dock area.” She looked at Riley strangely. “There’s a note inside the pack that needs to be delivered to one of the members of the research team when we arrive. Remember to give it to him.”

Riley nodded, more mystified than ever. “Do you have the equipment I’ll need for my research?”

Dr. Collins’ lips tightened perceptibly. “Everything you need is either in the pack or we’ll load it at the dock out back. You’ll have everything you need. I’ve planned for every contingency.” She turned to go, but then stopped. “I hope this turns out to be a good thing for you. I really do.” Without any further comments, she hurried off.

It was a strange thing to say, especially coming from a woman who had barely spoken to her for two weeks.

The door opened and Riley stepped through into a long dark corridor. The door shut immediately behind her. Mystified, she moved down the hall towards a lighted area at the end. This was getting weirder and weirder! Her stomach was queasy and she was feeling dizzy, probably from nerves.

As she reached the end of the corridor, air pressure inside of the corridor decreased dramatically and her breath left her in a whoosh. Lights flashed and rivulets of color danced in front of her eyes. She felt like she was floating. It only lasted a few seconds and then she was standing out in the open, outside the facility, she assumed. Stretching as far as the eye could see was a frozen wilderness, broken up by forests of evergreens and stands of rock. She turned back, expecting to see the research facility—but the landscape was empty! No door, no facility—absolutely nothing! She was standing alone in the middle of nowhere. Suddenly afraid, she called out. “Dr. Collins!” She yelled again. “Dr. Collins, where are you?”

Her voice echoed in the distance, unanswered. She tried again, yelling louder this time. “Dr. Collins, Miles, Jonas, anyone! Can you hear me?” Still nothing. An eerie silence pervaded the wide open expanse. A large bird circled overhead, spiraling as he hunted, but nothing else stirred. She was growing more frightened by the moment.

The pack suddenly seemed too heavy, and unhooking it, she dropped it to the ground. Opening it, she searched through the contents for a cell phone or a walkie-talkie or some sort of communication device. The only things she found were a very large pack of jerked meat wrapped in soft chamois, some type of skin bag holding water, several knives of varying sizes with bone handles, the blades made from some dark rock—flint perhaps—a large soft skin for who knew whatever purpose, a long thin braided rope or string with a fishhook made from bone or shell, a wooden bowl and cup of poor design and shape, as well as wooden eating utensils, a wooden comb, miscellaneous unidentifiable objects that seemed vaguely familiar, and a large manila envelope with the name, Nathan, written on the outside. Pretty pathetic! Angry as well as frightened, she tore open the envelope, hoping it held some answers as to why she was here. The short note read:

My Dear Nathan, I have not abandoned you. I can’t bear to think of you there alone. You deserve so much more. The young woman, Riley, was chosen from a select group of applicants. I make no apology for my actions. I do this out of love for you. Forgive me and ask Riley to forgive me as well. Take care of her and yourself. There will be no more communications. The funding for my research has been pulled and the facility will be closed in the near future. I have included with this note, a map detailing areas where Cro-Magnon man might be found. May God Bless and Keep You. Your Loving Aunt, Bethany.

Cro-Magnon? Give me a break! Totally disgusted, Riley considered the possibility that Dr. Collins was either on drugs or in the throes of some outlandish hallucination. The “map” was nothing more than a few lines on a cured animal skin, rather like something from a child’s treasure hunt. Nothing of any substance and certainly not detailing any land masses she recognized from the outline. Frustrated, she gathered up the objects and stuffed them back in the pack, realizing she might need them later. At the last second, she kept out the largest knife and tucked it under a strap of the pack where it could be easily accessed if needed. Jonas’ training whispered through her mind, watch your back!

The silence was eerie and her anxiety increased. Self-preservation dictated that she find a place to hide, but she was not going to budge from this spot. Surely someone would come for her if she just waited long enough. That was originally the plan as she understood it and that was what she was going to do. Maybe she was just overreacting and they just were running late.

CHAPTER FIVE

Hours later, Riley was still waiting and growing colder and angrier by the minute. She pulled the skin from the pack and wrapped it around her for added warmth. If she only had some matches, she could build a fire. Wait just one second! She remembered that Jonas had worked with her one afternoon, making a fire using a drill stick, and unless she was mistaken, the pack contained one of those. Moving over to the nearest stand of trees, she foraged for dry tinder, managing to gather a small supply. She packed the snow down, forming a small bowl-shaped indentation and then lined it with stones and a layer of the dried tinder. Now all she needed was some fire.

Sitting down, Riley braced the drill stick on a small piece of flat dry tinder on top of the hearth stick, as Jonas called it, and wrapped the bow string around as he had instructed. Okay, she was ready. Back and forth, back and forth, she spun the drill stick as fast as she could, applying pressure down as hard as possible. She wished she had paid more attention to this part of the training. After about twenty minutes of this, and about the time her arms were beginning to give out, a small puff of smoke drifted up. Encouraged, she spun the stick faster until a small flame sparked. Barely breathing, she lifted the hearth stick up, carefully blowing on the tiny flame. Setting it down on the tinder, she added more of the smallest dried sticks, working slowly and carefully, fearful of smothering the flame, but it kept burning and soon she had a small fire burning.

She actually had a fire going! Running back over to the stand of trees, she gathered as much dry or almost dry wood as she could find. Fortunately, there appeared to be a good supply. Very soon thereafter, she had a nice fire roaring and had warmed up considerably. Because some of the wood had been damp, the fire smoked a lot, but she didn’t care, at least she was warmer. Although she wasn’t big on jerky, she pulled out a couple of strips and settled down to eat, munching hungrily and wishing for a nice hot cup of coffee as well.

Riley was just deciding to walk a short distance to the top of the small hill to her right when in the distance she saw five or six figures approaching. Thank God! They had finally come for her. Excited, she stood up and waved her arms, yelling and laughing as they neared. They were dressed much the same as she, but appeared even more burdened by the weight of the clothing. They were still too far away for her to see their faces clearly and their progress was slow through the knee-deep snow. They all carried tall walking sticks and she decided she probably would need one as well. One of the sticks she had gathered for firewood fit well for the purpose. She caught up the back pack and put it on, eagerly awaiting their approach. They were within fifteen or twenty feet when she finally got a good look—and froze. Something was not right.

Nothing could have prepared her for the first sight of these men. They were a hideous group; heavily built and squat, with protruding eyebrows and broad noses dominating their faces, with low, flat elongated skulls and receding chins. She was taller than even the tallest of the bunch, none measuring over five feet six inches at best. Stringy, dirty hair trailed from their large heads and the lower part of their faces. They were covered in a mishmash of animal pelts, and the skins they were wearing were filthy and poorly tanned. Altogether, they were the ugliest bunch of men she had ever encountered.

They reminded her of pictures of gnomes she had seen as a child. The leader of the group—she presumed he was the leader—a red-haired, snaggle-toothed nightmare, moved closer to her, poking at her with his spear and making unintelligible sounds. Every single one was brandishing a club or spear of some sort and they approached her warily, as if they were stalking her. Totally frightened now, she backed up slowly as they formed a circle around her, poking, prodding and grunting excitedly.

* * *

Nathan had seen the smoke. Who wouldn’t have? The idiot who had made the fire either wanted to be found or was too stupid to realize he had sent out an invitation to everyone or everything lurking in the area. He didn’t like venturing into this section, too many of the others skulked around here and he didn’t like having to pretend he was one of them, although he had gotten pretty good at it over the years. Beside him, Demon, his partner in hell and his last contact with his previous life, padded along, stopping each while to sniff the air and check for intruders. Born of the huge female Mastiff, Lila, who had originally accompanied him, Demon was the only surviving pup of her litter.

She had mated with a wolf and when the pups were only a few weeks old, a cave lion had attacked and she had been killed along with most of her pups. Nathan found bits and pieces of her and the pups when he returned later. Demon had only survived because he had managed to crawl into a rock fissure too small for the cave lion to follow. He named the pup “Demon” for the spunk the pup showed when he tried to pull him out, fighting and biting before Nathan managed to pull the pup free from the small opening. Demon was huge, bigger than his mother had been, with the wolf genetics as well, and his intelligence and canine abilities had proven invaluable on more than one occasion. They respected each other and he never left the cave that Demon wasn’t at his side.

Demon stopped, going rigid, his hackles rose and a low growl rumbled from his chest. Nathan knew from experience that the only thing that would garner that response from the dog was danger and, more particularly, the others. The dog hated the others. Demon crouched down and ran to the top of a small hill ahead, his bearing cunning and wary. Nathan crouched down as well and followed the dog. Waving his hand, he motioned for the dog to be still while he took a better look. Down below, the others were circled around a single, taller figure, shoving and hitting at him, all the while grunting and squealing like a bunch of rabid pigs. The man was fighting and holding his own, but without help, he wouldn’t last. As Nathan watched, he realized the individual was using fighting techniques he used as well—techniques beyond the abilities or training of the others.

Nathan waved the dog forward. Demon sprang up and rushed down the hill, barking and growling and snapping as he forced his way through the others. Nathan hurried behind, pulling a long knife from his pack and hefting a war club in preparation for battle. Whooping savagely, he entered the fray.

The gnomes continued to shove and strike at her, never really delivering any severe blows, but hard enough to hurt, and she was bleeding from several small cuts. Thankful that Jonas had spent so much time on hand-to-hand combat, Riley whirled, punching and kicking as he had instructed, somewhat clumsily in the heavy clothing, but managing to make contact from time to time. She knew her chances of ultimately prevailing were minimal at best, but she wasn’t ready to give up. She was beginning to tire when one brute rendered her a hard blow, knocking her to the ground. Panting from her efforts, pain throbbing from various areas of her anatomy, she cowered, resigned and awaiting her fate.

From out of nowhere, a huge white dog crashed through, biting and snapping, forcing the gnomes back and keeping them from advancing any closer. Amazed, she could only stare as the huge beast ripped and tore pieces of hide and flesh from her attackers. Bones crunched loudly as his huge jaws clamped first on one and then another, screams erupting as he pounced. Backing off, the gnomes regrouped, advancing as one upon the dog who never gave an inch of ground, his teeth bared, gnome-blood dripping from his huge maw.

From the same direction the dog had come, a much taller gnome entered the fight, swinging a heavy club and yelling like a banshee. The dog latched onto the leg of one of the gnomes, his jaws clamping down in a death grip. The creature screamed, attempting to dislodge the dog, but the dog only held on tighter. The new individual swung a club, landing a blow to the nearest head, knocking the creature to the ground. The gnomes backed off, clearly intimidated by the newcomer. The dog allowed him to pass, his eyes intent on the original group. The new gnome or troll stared at her out of a face from some misbegotten nightmare. He smiled, or she thought he smiled, but with his broken, dirty teeth, it might have been a grimace or a snarl.

* * *

Nathan stared down into the first human face he had seen in over five years—and a woman to boot—a really good-looking woman! Stunned, he forgot who he was or what he was doing, and forgetting how he looked, he smiled, immediately regretting it by the horrified look on the woman’s face. Better get her out of here before one of the others claimed her. He reached down to help her up.

Riley scooted back as the big one reached for her. The others were muttering and grunting among themselves, angered by his intrusion, but clearly intimidated by the much larger gnome. Riley fought to stay out of the big one’s grasp, but he was quicker than she and grabbed a handful of her hair as she scurried away. Jerking her back, he hoisted her over his shoulder and started back the direction from which he came, with Riley hanging over his back like a big sack of potatoes. The dog paced behind, covering their retreat.

Riley screamed hysterically, kicking and fighting but he kept walking, her movements seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever. She pounded his back with her fists, clawing his neck and pulling his dirty hair, frightened and enraged by this turn of events.

“If you don’t lie still,” the troll said in perfect English, slapping her sharply on the butt, “I’ll leave you to them.”

Startled, Riley quieted down, amazed that this thing had actually spoken to her, and that she could understand him.

“What the hell is going on?” She screeched, trying to kick free.

“Shut the hell up, or they’ll be on us again,” was his only reply. The dog growled, baring its teeth, daring her to move. Under the circumstances, she decided it was best to just be silent for the time being.

After they had cleared a small rise out of the sight of the group, he dropped her to the snow-covered ground. She landed face down. The dog moved towards her, stiff and menacing. “Back,” he directed the dog, “stay.” The dog settled down, watching her every move, waiting for her to make one he didn’t like.

The gnome reached down and grabbed her arm, hauling her to her feet. He tied a length of leather to her wrist and started off, pulling her behind. She considered kicking him or hitting him, but the dog was watching closely and she didn’t have the nerve to take the dog on. He had already proven he was capable of inflicting some major pain on the unlucky recipient. Besides, this troll seemed the better option, at least he hadn’t made any attempt to hurt her and he could speak English. She trudged behind him, watching the landscape, hoping the research team was nearby and would come to the rescue. Sparing little interest, her captor dragged her along behind him, jerking on the leather thong if she lagged behind.

Nathan pulled the woman behind. For the moment, she was following peacefully but he wasn’t convinced that she wouldn’t try something again soon. He could hardly believe she was here! Who was she and whatever had possessed her to come here in the first place? Part of him was elated—another human being, and a beautiful woman to boot! The other part was concerned. She appeared confused by her surroundings and very unhappy at seeing him. Surely, if she was here, she knew about him. Bethany would have seen to that.

CHAPTER SIX

Riley was getting pretty tired of the whole outdoors thing when they neared a rock wall. Pushing on a huge boulder, the creature rolled it to the side and an opening appeared. He motioned her to enter, following her in along with the dog and then rolling the great rock back across the entrance. Walking to the rear of the small cave, he moved a portion of the back wall ingenuously contrived to look like solid rock. Again, motioning her to enter, he followed her, the huge dog trotting behind. She stepped hesitantly in and stared in shock. The inside was homey and neat. Handmade chairs were grouped around a roughhewn table. Slate rock, covered by animal skins, formed the floor, and a rock fireplace situated in one corner, spread its welcoming warmth. The troll lit several oil candles and the room lit up even brighter. He pointed to a chair and Riley thankfully sat down. Her feet were soaked and freezing.

Pushing aside another skin, the troll entered another room to the far end of the cave. She could hear him moving around as she nervously waited for him to reappear. The dog sat in front of her. She lifted a hand to scratch her nose and a growl rumbled in his chest. Hastily, she dropped the arm, barely breathing.

“Demon, quit harassing the lady!” His voice came through the opening. “He doesn’t like strangers and he especially hates the others and I guess he thinks you’re one of them since you were down there.”

Unable to think of anything coherent to say, Riley sat there, glaring at the dog.

“And don’t look him directly in the eyes,” the voice instructed. “Wolves view that as a challenge.”

Riley quickly dropped her eyes, eyeing the dog sideways. Good grief, how was she to know that she’d accidentally challenged this huge brute. He was so close; she could feel his hot, fetid breath on her face. Anytime now, he would lunge and rip her throat out, she was just sure.

After what seemed like an eternity, the skin was pushed back and a normal looking man came out. Her mouth hanging open, Riley could only stare in surprise. He stood approximately six foot plus several good inches, black clean hair curled down his neck, with eyes the color of warm caramel, surrounded by lashes so long and thick, she was immediately jealous. A shy smile stretched his full, slightly sensual lips over straight white teeth. Clad only in a pair of soft leather pants held up by a leather thong, he was a work of masculine art, muscles bulging in all the right places. A soft mat of dark hair covered his upper chest, extending in a V down to the top of his trousers. Riley gulped, embarrassed to be caught staring, but unable to look away.

“Why were you dressed like that, like some cave man or something? And what happened to the teeth?”

“You mean like a Neanderthal?” He waited for her reaction which came immediately.

“Neanderthal? Are you crazy? No, I mean like those Eskimos or whatever they are! Neanderthals died out millions of years ago. I may not be an anthropologist, but I know that much.”

“Actually, more precisely, they died out approximately 30,000 to 50,000 years ago, depending on whether it’s Asia or Europe.”

“Thanks for the really important information. I’m a botanist; I didn’t study the evolution of man.”

“Do you have a name?” He asked.

She nodded.

He waited expectantly and when she didn’t respond further, “Okay, so what is it?”

Riley’s mind blanked. She knew she had a name, but what was it? “Riley, my name is Riley, Riley Ames.”

“Okay Riley, Riley Ames, what are you doing here and why were you with the others?”

“I’m here on a research project,” she explained.

He tilted his head, searching her face. “Research? What research project? There’s no research project here. Just me.”

“You must be wrong. I’m part of a research team. I seem to have gotten lost or something.”

He studied her, his lip curling in amusement. “I don’t know why you’re here but I get the impression you have no idea where ‘here’ is.”

“What do you mean?” This was getting too weird.

He sat down, facing her. “Here is approximately 40,000 years before the time you were born.”

She snorted. “Give me a break. Do I look stupid to you?”

“No,” he conceded, amused, “just really, really confused.”

“There’s no way in hell I’m going to believe that this is 40,000 years ago. Just help me find the rest of the research team and I won’t bother you any further.”

Nathan continued his cross-examination. “How did you get here?”

Riley mentally went back over the steps that led her to this place. “I got a job which was supposed to be an on-site research project and then this morning, Dr. Collins had me dress in this outfit, and then I walked through this door, and here I am. Sounds stupid, but believe me, that’s what happened.”

“Dr. Collins? Do you mean Dr. Bethany Collins?”

“Exactly. By the way, who are you?”

“I’m Nathan Collins.”

Riley jumped on the information. “The Nathan Collins? Nephew to Dr. Collins! The one who disappeared five years ago?”

He grinned, those full lips curving sensuously. “So you know about me? Who spilled the beans?”

“Jonas—you know, your good old buddy! But what are you doing here? I’m getting more confused by the minute,” she growled in exasperation.

Nathan turned away, unable to prevent the frown spreading across his face and not willing to alarm her. “I’m here because I chose to be. But why are you here?”

“I told you already. I’m part of a research team good old Aunt Bethany was putting together,” she snapped, beginning to believe she had been scammed.

He looked back. “And I told you—there is no research team here and there won’t be one!” He enunciated clearly.

The dog growled, empathetic to his emotions.

Frustration caused Riley to snap further. “So what you’re telling me is that somehow, someway, I’m back in time 40,000 years ago, in the middle of nowhere and my only company is you?”

“Afraid so. Better get used to me. I don’t suppose Aunt Bethany told you there’s no going back?” He bluntly stated.

Riley froze. “What do you mean—there’s no going back?”

“Just what I said, there’s no going back. The door only swings one way.” He stood up and walked over to the fire.

“Good old Aunt Bethany only told me that I would be away for an extended period. She never said anything about forever.” Really angry now, Riley jumped up and paced the floor. “I want to leave now. I’m going back and you’d better call Dr. Collins to come and get me!” She stomped her feet, like a child she thought.

His voice softened. “I wish I could—I wish you could go back, but I wasn’t kidding. The door only opens one direction, and that’s on the other end. You can’t go back home.”

“We’ll just see about that! I’m going back out there and I’m going home. You can’t keep me here. It isn’t legal. Open this door!” She stormed to the moveable rock wall and waited for him to open it.

“Whatever you want,” he said as he slid the door open, “it’s your funeral.”

Faltering, she stopped, “Wha…what do you mean?”

“I mean if you go out there after dark, and it’s after dark now, you could run into a cave bear, or if you get really lucky, you might even run into a saber toothed cat. There’s still a few of those running around.”

“That’s ridiculous! And if you think I’m going to believe all this garbage you’ve been handing me, you’re crazy!”

“Think what you want, but before you step outside, consider that I might be telling the truth.” He rolled the huge rock aside, motioning for her to go.

It was dark outside, the moon reflecting off the snow, but not bright enough for her to be able to see anything clearly, let alone the approach of a wild animal. Nervously, she perused the landscape. On the small chance that he might just be telling the truth, she hesitated. “Maybe it would be better if I waited until morning.”

“Suit yourself,” he said, rolling the rock back into place, “but that’s the last time tonight I push that rock back.” He turned and re-entered the living area of the cave. Riley waited for a few minutes, unsure what to do.

“You might as well come on back in here,” he called, “it’s going to get cold out there.”

Bemused and disgruntled, Riley followed him in. “Fine, but I expect you to help me find the research team in the morning.”

Shaking his head in frustration, he began pulling out plates, cups and eating utensils and then started to prepare a meal. “Take off your coat and stay awhile,” he instructed. “You’ll roast if you don’t.”

She thankfully shrugged off the heavy outer coat, relieved to be free of it for awhile.

“I hate to ask this,” she said hesitantly, “but I need to go to the bathroom. Where do I go?”

Motioning her to the far room, he pulled the skin aside and held it for her to enter. A bed covered by skins nestled against one wall of the cave along with a small log table holding a number of personal items and pegs on the walls for clothing. The cave stretched further back and she could hear running water. In a smaller enclave, a spring emptied into a clear pool, draining down through a hole in the rock wall. On the other side of the rock wall, Nathan had fashioned a toilet, complete with running water. “Uh, sorry, but no toilet paper. There is a good selection of leaves in the box to the right,” he apologized.

“No, that’s okay. I’m not complaining. This is so impressive,” she exclaimed, surprised by his ingenuity. “What gave you the idea?”

“Didn’t take much to figure it out and the stream ran out of here anyway, so it just seemed like the perfect answer. I even have a shower over here,” he said, motioning to an area by the pool. “You have to heat water though, and then pour it into the recess above. Works pretty good but you have to shower fast.”

“Aren’t you polluting the environment?”

He laughed. “It’s an underground stream, doesn’t seem to ever run to the surface, not anywhere close that is. By the time it does reach the surface, I’m sure natural filters have cleansed it completely.”

Riley nodded, impressed in spite of herself, almost all the comforts of home. “You’ve done well.”

He returned to the outer area, allowing her some privacy.

Food was on the table by the time she re-entered the living area. The dog was stretched out by the fireplace and barely acknowledged her as she entered. That was a positive sign—not being bitten was a good thing. Nathan ladled out stew and poured some sort of hot tea, both of which tasted wonderful. They ate in companionable silence, the dog interested but his manners were impeccable. After they were finished, Nathan scooped a bowl out and gave it to the dog, who made short work of it, then licked his chops, his eyes hoping for more.

Riley moved to give him the rest of hers, but Nathan stopped her. “Don’t over-feed him or he won’t hunt, and I need him to hunt. Half the food we eat is from his efforts.”

Respect for the dog slowly dawned. He might appear to be the demon from hell but she had to give it to him, he was her first defender and if he was also a provider, he obviously deserved some consideration. As if sensing her mental acceptance, Demon again growled at her, reiterating his dislike, she was just sure.

“Fine,” she said, deciding to ignore the dog. “I don’t like dogs anyway—they usually stink.” Demon growled again, laying back his ears.

Nathan laughed. “Sometimes, I actually think he understands everything that is said, so be careful.”

Riley huffed rudely; he was just a dog after all. “So tell me again, and please try to be more realistic. What is this place and how do I go home?”

Nathan ran his hands through his hair. “Okay, maybe if I start from the beginning, you’ll understand better.”

Riley nodded, settling down to listen.

“As you know, my aunt is Dr. Collins. She and Miles were working on a project that involved, not really time travel, but bending time.” Riley nodded, she had heard of this theory, but it was pure speculation. “Anyway, from all accounts, they succeeded, at least succeeded in going one direction. As far as I know, they haven’t figured out how to bend it from this end. But let me get back. They had reached a point where they decided it was time to try a human volunteer, but they needed a specific type; one who was mentally able to handle the change, physically capable, intelligent and eager for a change, that sort of thing.” He paused. “Enter me. Before I came here, I was a member of a Black Ops team for the Government.”

Riley nodded. “Jonas told me that much.”

“Yeah. Jonas was also part of that team. I’ve known him all my life. Anyway, I need to back up a bit. I was married then. I had a beautiful, loving young wife, Emily, who just happened to be Jonas’ younger sister. The team had gone on a mission and when we got back, I learned that Emily had been raped and murdered. She had been dead for two weeks before I even knew about it.” His voice roughened and he turned away, stopping the recital.

A lump grew in Riley’s throat, but she couldn’t think of anything sympathetic to say but, “I’m so sorry.”

He nodded, clearing his throat. “Anyway, it took me awhile, but I found the murderer and I executed him.”

Startled, Riley stared at his back, nervous again.

“You executed someone? What do you mean, you executed him?”

“I mean, I found the bastard and I became his judge, jury and executioner. I gave him the same chance he gave my Emily.” His face hardened, remembered pain reflecting in his tortured eyes.

Riley chose her words carefully. “Well, I can’t say that I disagree with what you did, but what does that have to do with you being here?”

“Unfortunately, Emily’s murderer was the son and grandson of some pretty important people, Senators, Congressmen, that sort of thing. I found out that he had seen Emily at some high ranking party, she was a Congressional Aide. He followed her home and did the deed. I wouldn’t have had a chance in any court of law and Aunt Bethany knew that. She offered me this chance, and I took it. I’ve been here since.”

“Surely, the law would have been on your side. He murdered your wife, after all.”

His words came bitterly. “He was the son and grandson of very important people. The law wouldn’t have even entered the picture. If he had actually gone to trial, he would have gotten off on some technicality. If I had been tried, I would have gotten the death penalty, if I lasted long enough to get to trial.”

She couldn’t think of anything to say again but, “I’m sorry.”

He nodded. “Bethany offered me the chance to come here. She knew I needed to hide and I had nothing to lose, so she sent me through.”

“But why am I here?” Riley waited for an answer.

He paced the room, his face unreadable. “I think that’s partly my fault.”

“Your fault! How could it be your fault?”

“Sometimes, if Aunt Bethany happens to be monitoring from that end, and I’m down by the drop point, she must be able to hear me, because equipment, food, that sort of thing will be waiting,” he paused, drawing a breath. “It’s lonely here, no one to talk to. You’ve seen the others, they’re the only other humanoids in the area. They don’t like me and I don’t like them. We keep away from each other as much as possible. I had to teach them a lesson a time or two, but they respect me. They leave me alone and I return the favor.”

“Okay, so we’ve established why you’re here. Now, what about me?” Riley waited, fearful of his response.

He fidgeted, seemingly uneasy about answering. “I think Aunt Bethany sent you here for me. I think she sent you here to be my mate.”

Stunned, Riley stared blankly at him for what seemed like hours, her mind refusing to accept what he had said. She was here in this God-forsaken wilderness because he needed a girlfriend? What kind of crap was that?

Finally, he broke the silence. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

“What do you expect me to say? Thank you? If even a small part of what you say is true, then I’m stuck here for eternity with a guy I don’t even know, in a place I hate and with no future. Yeah, I guess that comes under ‘thank you!’” She rubbed her hands across her face. This was a nightmare! And not for a minute did she believe what he told her, at least not most of it. The guy was probably crazy, but if he was crazy, she must be too, because she had seen that bunch of strange looking humans and they didn’t look like any people existing in her world.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t know Bethany would go this far. I made the mistake of saying at the drop point that I didn’t think I would be able to last here alone much longer. She must have heard it.” His face was a mask of regret.

“And that’s supposed to make it all better?”

“I don’t know what else to say. I’m sorry. I wish I could change the outcome, but there’s nothing I can do. Maybe, if nothing else, they’ll be able to figure out a way to bend time back so we can go home.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but one of the things I noticed while I was at the facility was that it was really understaffed and it looked like it was being closed down. At the time, Dr. Collins said they keep a small staff until a new research team came on board, but now I’m beginning to believe that’s not the case. I think they are shutting down.” Suddenly remembering, “Wait a minute, I have something for you.” Rummaging around in her pack, she found the envelope Dr. Collins had instructed she give to the research team. Nathan took the envelope and opened it, his eyes scanning the contents.

“You’re right! They are closing down the facility.” His eyes found hers, something flickered in the depths. “We’re both stuck here, there’s no going back now and no hope of that changing.”

Riley dropped down, her stomach knotting in anger. “This is just great! I really appreciate being put in this situation. Thanks a whole heck of a lot! Right now, I hate Dr. Collins and I wish I’d never met you!”

Demon rose up growling ominously, displeased at her tone of voice.

“Oh shut up, you dumb dog!” She growled back. “I don’t need your attitude right now.”

The dog sat down on his haunches, his tongue lolling out, head tilted to the side considering her, but not showing any aggression. At least she had accomplished something in this nightmare. She turned away, refusing to look at Nathan or talk any further. Right now she had nothing to say and even though he was pretty good to look at, she wasn’t feeling charitable. She grabbed the skin out of her pack and arranged it on the floor, preparing to sleep. He and his stupid dog could drop dead for all she cared.

“I have some extra pelts. They’ll make the floor easier on you,” he offered.

“Don’t do me any favors,” she grumbled. “I think I’ve had enough of those for one day.”

A few minutes later, he dropped a number of skins next to her. “You’ll be stiff in the morning if you don’t use these.” Without acknowledging his gifts, she rearranged her bed on the skins and then lay back down, refusing to speak. She listened to him cleaning up and then going back into the far room. She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Boy, someone really had bad breath! Her eyes opened. Demon was stretched out beside her, his head on her makeshift pillow, snoring in her face. Sheesh! Shoving him away, she stood up, and tip-toed to the bathroom.

Nathan was asleep, face down on the bed, his arms flung wide. She slipped quietly to the toilet, took care of that little business and was just sneaking back out when the dog came in and jumped on Nathan, waking him up. His eyes sleepily regarded her, his mouth curving in a slight smile, erased quickly as he remembered.

Her nose in the air, she stomped out, managing to stub her toe on the uneven ground and ended up hopping around, cursing in pain. So much for her grand exit! She glared at Nathan, one more black mark on his long list. His mouth twitching, he returned her glare, laughter lurking in the depths of his caramel eyes.

“Don’t you dare laugh, or I’ll have to hurt you,” she threatened him.

“I wouldn’t think of it.” His face was suspiciously devoid of expression.

Stomping out, successfully this time, Riley went to the kitchen area and began making tea. At least she could do that. Nathan came into the kitchen moving carefully around her.

“Are we talking this morning?” He began.

“If I have something to say to you, I’ll say it. Otherwise, no!” She retorted.

“Whatever.” He began preparing food. “Hey, Demon, want to go for a run?” The dog went crazy, jumping up and down and whirling in anticipation. Nathan slid the door open and Demon dashed out. A few minutes later, they both returned, cold air hanging about them.

“If you’re interested, I’ll take you for a look at the others’ place. We can look down on it from a safe spot I found. Maybe you’ll believe me more if you see the evidence. If we get really lucky, we might even see a herd of Woolly Mammoths.” He waited for her answer.

Curious in spite of herself, she relented. “I might be interested.”

Satisfied with her answer, he put breakfast on the table, more of the same from last night. “Sorry, we don’t have a lot of variety, but it’s good and filling.”

“What is it, anyway?” She should have asked last night.

“Do you really want to know?” He grinned. “All I know is it looks like some sort of a big rat.”

“Rat! We’re eating rat?” The bite choked her on the way down, starting a coughing fit.

He laughed as he pounded her on the back. “More like a really, really big rat, almost the size of a small deer.”

The coughing fit over with, Riley glared at him. “Don’t ever do that again!”

“Do what?” he asked innocently. “You asked what it was and I told you.”

“Don’t ever tell me what I’m eating if it’s something creepy!”

“How do I know if you’ll think it’s something creepy?”

The whole conversation was going downhill. “Never mind! Just don’t tell me what it is next time.”

Breakfast over, they dressed warmly, back into the heavy outerwear of yesterday. Riley’s boots had dried, but were stiff and uncomfortable.

“Next time,” Nathan observed, “dry them by the fire and try to shape them while their wet, they’re more pliable if you do.”

“Next time, why don’t you mention that?” She countered with a huff, disgusted by the fact that he hadn’t pointed it out sooner. Now her boots were stiff as boards.

“You didn’t act like you were too interested in hearing anything I had to say,” he defended himself. “As I recall, you made it very clear you didn’t want to talk to me in any way, shape or form.”

“Do you blame me? How would you feel if a stranger just told you that the life you had worked hard for and wanted was over!” Warming to her tirade, she continued, “All because somebody indiscriminately decided to hand you over as a life partner to a stranger living in some God-forsaken place, and didn’t warn you beforehand! Doesn’t exactly leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling, now does it?” She angrily stomped around in the boots, hoping to loosen them up. They did seem to feel a little less stiff the more she walked in them. Grabbing her fur parka, she threw it on, pointedly ignoring any assistance from him.

Guilt overwhelming him, Nathan pushed the door open and waited for her to exit, careful not to irritate her further. The dog ran ahead and waited impatiently at the rock blocking the cave entrance. As Nathan rolled the rock back, Demon dashed out, delighted at being in the open. Nathan stepped out and hesitated, searching the landscape for any potential threats. After assuring himself that the way was clear, he stepped out, motioned her to follow and then rolled the rock back into place. Although she knew a cave existed behind the rock, Nathan had done a clever job of disguising it from the outside. Had she not known it was there, she would never have guessed it even existed. It would have taken sharper eyes than she had to detect it.

Nathan plodded off through the knee-deep snow, leaving her to follow behind. Although the sun was shining, it was very cold and Riley moved quickly to catch up, intent on generating some body heat by the exercise. They hiked for a long time, eventually climbing up a steep incline. Her legs were trembling by the time they reached a stopping point. Nathan gestured for her to duck down and then he and the dog crawled forward, waving her to do the same. They cautiously moved to the edge of an overhang, peering down into the valley below. In an open space in front of a large rock opening, a group of the others moved about; some preparing food, some stretching skins on racks, while others fanned out to the surrounding hills and river area.

“Why are we hiding?”

“Because they don’t like strangers and I don’t want to draw their attention. We get along better if we stay away from each other. See those over there.” Nathan pointed to a far group, talking softly. “Those are the males. Probably leaving right now on a hunting trip. The ones staying in camp are the females, the adolescent males and the children. The young males aren’t taken on hunting trips until they are nine or so.”

“Nine years old! Good grief!” She whispered, taking his cue. “I can’t imagine any child hunting at that age!” She watched the group until they disappeared in the distance.

“Not too surprising,” he said, “when you consider that twenty-five is pretty mature for them. I’m not sure of their lifespan but life here is hard and old age is probably 40 or less. Most of the females are married by the time they are eleven, maybe even have a child by then.”

“Really makes a person think, doesn’t it?” She lay there for some time, watching the group. Everything was primitive beyond belief. What tools she was able to see from this distance appeared to be made of stone and wood, held together with leather lashings.

“They’re actually pretty inventive when it comes to the hunt,” he continued. “I’ve seen them force a herd of bison over a cliff and then climb down to butcher the carcasses. It’s very clever, and that method leaves little chance that any of them will get hurt.” He paused for a moment. “They fish with spears or nets woven from vines or even use fish hooks they fashion from bone.” He sounded as though he admired them. “Most of their diet is mainly meat, including Woolly Mammoths! It’s really amazing the teamwork they use to bring one of those big animals down. Contrary to modern man’s misguided concepts on Neanderthals, they really are skilled hunters.”

Riley absorbed the information. Everything she was viewing was too real to be a fabrication. She was beginning to believe Nathan might be telling her the truth, in which case, she was getting more frustrated and anxious by the minute.

Nathan back-crawled from the edge, pulling her with him. When they were far enough away to prevent the others below from seeing them, he stood up and dusted snow from his clothing.

“There’s another spot nearby where we can watch them fish, if you want to.” He looked inquiringly at her.

Riley nodded. If nothing else, her scientific interest was titillated by the prospect. Nathan led the way once again, the dog trotting companionably by his side. Riley moved closer, stopping when Demon blocked the path and favored her with another of his tooth-bared snarls, growling a warning for her to stay behind.

“Does that dog ever give up?” She glared at him.

“He’s just doing what comes naturally—making sure you know the pack order. He considers himself higher in the hierarchy than you. Give him a few days and he’ll be sitting in your lap!”

“I don’t think so! And to think he was sleeping on my pillow this morning. That’s the thanks I get for sharing.” She kicked snow at the dog, which refused to budge. “Move out of the way, you big lug, or I’ll have to teach you a lesson.” Her mouth felt a little dry. He could be serious, she thought, as the dog stalked a few steps towards her.

“Knock it off, Demon,” Nathan slapped the dog’s flank, “leave the lady alone.”

Demon’s posture slackened, wagging his tail at Nathan as if to say Riley was safe for the moment, but as he swung back to Riley, she could see the gleam in his eyes. He was waiting for just the right moment to pounce.

Riley stepped by him, trusting that Nathan would intervene if the dog attacked—or maybe not—but she wasn’t going to let Demon think she was afraid of him. It didn’t matter that he must weigh 230 plus pounds, he was after all, just a dog. Although, perhaps she should have stayed in the rear—having Demon behind her gave the dog the advantage if he did decide to attack. Just thinking about it made her nervous and her neck was getting stiff from turning around to keep an eye on him.

“Quit worrying,” Nathan chuckled. “He really is a big baby once he gets to know you.”

“It’s that ‘once he gets to know you’ part I’m worried about. What if I don’t last that long?”

Nathan whistled and waved his hand and Demon ran down the path. “You can relax, I told him to go hunt.”

“And that’s all you do to get his attention?” She was unwillingly impressed—again!

“I’ve had a lot of time on my hands and no one to talk to. Working with him is pretty much all that’s kept me sane,” Nathan said quietly. Riley found herself wanting to comfort him which was pretty weird under the circumstances.

Rounding a small hill, they were again in a position to look down upon the industrious others. This group were fishing, using nets and spears, and quite successfully from the steadily growing pile of fish. From their vantage point, Riley and Nathan watched the scene. At various times, Nathan would point out those he was somewhat familiar with.

“Why do you dress like you do when you go out and how come you didn’t today?” Riley questioned.

“When I first came here, we knew there was a good chance I would encounter the others and rather than scare or intimidate them, we thought it was better for me to blend in. A team back at the research center put together the facial prosthesis, but I had to make some adjustments after I first made contact. They really aren’t a great deal different from us—heavier browed, as you know, but physically, not that much different. Mostly just shorter and stockier. Most of them have bowed legs as well.”

Thinking back to her first meeting, Riley nodded. She knew people in her time who could easily have moved through the crowd of the others and never been noticed. They might be broader, heavier browed and chinless, but that could be said of a lot of people she knew. From her point of view, the biggest difference was their personal hygiene.

Nathan tensed, his eyes focused on something in the wooded area to the right of the fishermen.

“What’s the matter?” Riley whispered, sensing the change in his demeanor.

He pointed. “Over there, just at the edge of the tree line, near that dead fall, do you see?”

Riley squinted against the glare from the river. In the direction Nathan was pointing, bushes were moving as though something was working its way through. After a few minutes of looking intently at the area he indicated, she finally got a good glimpse of some sort of animal and as she watched, it came fully into view. It was a bear, and a huge bear, working its way down the hill towards the river and the group of fisherman. She’d seen bears before but nothing prepared her for the size of this one. It was huge and so horrifically fierce looking, her stomach clenched. None of the fishermen had noticed the bear, their attention was entirely focused on fishing, and the bear was getting dangerously close.

“Look behind you,” Nathan whispered to the others, “he’s almost on you!” Nathan turned to her. “I don’t understand it, they usually have three or four just on lookout, but no one seems to be on guard right now.”

Nathan stood up in full view and whistled as loud as he could, pointing in the direction of the bear’s approach. They were too far away, or too intent on the fishing to notice him. Riley was about ready to try throwing rocks when Demon bounded up. The dog looked down and spotted the bear immediately. His hackles bristled and a low growl rumbled from his throat.

“Demon! Go!” The dog immediately started down the steep incline, moving quickly and effortlessly.

“You can’t send him after the bear—it’ll kill him!” Much as she didn’t like the dog, she liked the idea of him being hurt even less.

“He’ll be fine. He knows what to do and all he needs to do is distract the bear long enough so maybe the others will notice.”

Demon had reached the bottom of the incline and was running towards the bear, putting himself between the stalking carnivore and the unwary fishermen. The bear stopped, smelled the air and turned towards Demon, weaving his head back and forth as he sensed the danger. Demon ran closer and began growling and snapping, drawing the bear’s total attention.

Riley watched the scene with trepidation, worried that Demon would get too close and the bear would injure or kill him. The dog’s excited barking drew the attention of several of the fishermen who immediately grabbed their weapons. Demon kept up his attack, dashing in and jumping quickly out of reach of the bear’s raking claws and gnashing teeth. By now, most of the fishermen had taken up their weapons and were forming a defensive half-circle in front of the bear. Nathan whistled again and Demon whirled and ran back.

“No reason for him to continue now that they know the bear is near,” Nathan commented too casually as he watched the scene below. “They can handle it from here.”

The others poked and prodded the bear, jumping out of the way whenever he clawed or lunged at them, and finally, out of frustration, the bear lumbered off, the others whooping and hollering as he shambled away.

Nathan turned and started back along the pathway as Riley scrambled up, followed shortly by Demon, his eyes sparkling and tongue lolling out as though he had just come from a pleasure run. He moved into position between Nathan and Riley, once again affirming his position in the pack. Riley sniffed, but decided he deserved some consideration—after all, he was the one who fought the bear—not her, thank goodness.

“Are all the bears so enormous and are there a lot of them around?” She nervously eyed the dark forests on all sides.

“He was pretty big, larger than most I have seen, but in answer to your question, yes, most of them are pretty enormous and there are more than a few. His descendants will one day be our world’s native brown bears.”

Riley digested this information. The image of the huge bear would be imprinted in her brain forever and she doubted she would ever feel comfortable knowing that he or one of his buddies might be lurking behind the next tree or large rock.

“What other huge predators are we likely to encounter?”

Nathan stopped and turned. “Makes you nervous, doesn’t it?”

“Of course it makes me nervous! Where I come from animals like that bear are in the zoo and the only predator I have to worry about is man!”

“Well, in this reality, not only do you have to worry about men, but there are any number of wild carnivores that would view you as a perfect lunch entree. It’s best that you remember that little bit of information if you are going to survive here.”

Anger boiled up again and Riley vented. “Survive here? I never asked to be here at all, let alone survive! And unless I’ve misinterpreted the situation, I am stuck here! Forever! With you!” Riley glowered at him, her eyes begging him to contradict her.

His own anger surfaced and Nathan countered. “Let’s get something straight! I didn’t ask Bethany to send you here. I wouldn’t have done that to anyone. I’m sorry she did what she did, but I can’t change it. The only thing I am very sure of is we can’t return and unless you have a better plan, I suggest we try to make the best of a very bad situation.”

Unable to maintain the “tough guy” attitude any longer, Riley sat down on the nearest rock and began to cry, great heaving sobs. Not having had to deal with any human emotions other than his own for the past five years, Nathan was unsure how to comfort her. Awkwardly, he gathered her close, gently rocking her until the tears subsided.

“I don’t suppose you have a Kleenex on you?” Riley hiccupped.

He grinned, his eyes warm pools of compassion. “No, but you can use my parka sleeve if you want.”

“No thanks!” Her face screwed up in disgust. “I brought some of your bathroom leaves just in case I needed them.”

He laughed, relieved that she had calmed down and the crying episode was over. “Good thinking! The pickings are pretty scarce out here and it’s been so long since I’ve been around a woman, I didn’t even think about that.” As if suddenly remembering that he hadn’t been around a woman in a long time, he stiffened, dropping his arms and stepping back awkwardly. “I wish Bethany had thought through her actions before she went ahead and sent you back here.” He lifted his head, searching the sky. “We’d better be getting back. It’s still quite a distance to the shelter and, unless you want to spend the night in the open, we’d better keep moving.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

The trek back to the cave was indeed quite a distance and slow going due to the depth of the snow. By the time they arrived, Riley’s feet and legs were numb with cold and the relative warmth of the cave’s interior was a welcome relief. Quickly and efficiently, Nathan had a fire blazing and water warming before she even had her boots pulled off. Remembering the previous night, she laid the boots by the fire to dry. Nathan nodded approvingly. “I’ll have dinner ready soon. You can use the shower if you want. I’ll have plenty of hot water ready in just a few minutes.”

A hot shower sounded too wonderful to be true and Riley saw no reason to refuse his offer. She hung her parka on one of the pegs protruding from the cave wall and then entered the back room, her mind on the simple pleasure of a hot shower. Nathan came in behind her, carrying a large clay basin filled with steaming water, which he poured into a receptacle at the top of his shower apparatus.

“Where did you get the clay pots?”

“I made them. They’re not very pretty, but they’re serviceable. There’s some good clay dirt down by the river and working with clay was one of the things I studied before I came back here. It’s really very simple. The hard part is shaping it properly. My first attempts were pretty pathetic, but I got better the more I experimented.” He finished pouring the water, then pulled out some thin pieces of what appeared to be felt material. “Here’s some towels, just hang them by the fire when you’re done.”

“Where did you get felt?” Riley rubbed the texture between her fingers.

“Well, I don’t know if felt is supposed to be around for quite some time, but only having animal skins or leather is a real problem sometimes so I fashioned a few things out of felt. I’ve even been considering taking up weaving.”

“Weaving? You have a loom?” She was amazed again at his ingenuity.

“Not exactly, but I don’t think it would be that hard to put one together. I know the basic design.”

“How do you make felt?”

“Take your shower while the water’s hot. We’ll talk over dinner. If the water’s too hot, just add some cold from the spring.” He turned to leave. “There’s a robe of sorts made out of felt as well. You can use it if you want. It’s by the bed.” Walking to a shelf, he handed her a small clay pot. “This is my own version of soap. I made it from tallow and wood ash. Works pretty good but I haven’t been able to figure out how to scent it yet.”

“Well, you have been just a regular little Holly Homemaker since you’ve been here,” she teased him, smiling for the first time.

He paused, his eyes drawn to her face. Her Cupid’s bow lips curved, dimples peeking out from her smooth cheeks. The smile lit up her direct eyes with its glow. He swallowed hard trying to formulate an intelligent response, tongue-tied by the subtle thaw in her heretofore chilly attitude. It had been so long since he had indulged in more than a one-sided conversation and even longer since he had laughed with a beautiful woman.

Riley watched him, amused by his obvious discomfort. He was squirming, shuffling from one foot to the other, his face flushed, a slight sheen of perspiration coating his upper lip. She almost laughed out loud. He was exhibiting all the reactions of a confused teenager. Here was a man who had lived on his own for five years or more with only a dog for company, surviving in the harshest of environments, only to falter at the mere act of conversing with a woman. Maybe it wasn’t so strange, she thought. She might be a little nervous herself under the same circumstances.

Nathan coughed, clearing his throat. “Come on out when you’re ready. I’ll have dinner on the table.” Turning, he almost ran from the room, escaping with what little dignity he could muster.

Riley undressed and stepped into the makeshift shower. Reaching up, she pulled down hard on a leather thong attached to the shower apparatus and warm water sluiced down. The sensation was too wonderful to describe. Hurriedly, she soaped all over and rinsed off before the warm water ran out, wrapping herself in one of the towels. Using the other, she dried her hair and then pulled on his robe. She rinsed out her underwear as well, the only pair she had. Not having any other sort of night clothes and having slept in her clothes the previous night, the relative freedom of the robe was a welcome respite from the heavy leather. If she was stuck here, something would have to be done. She needed more than one set of clothes.

Nathan looked up from setting the table as she stepped through into the living area. She wore his robe and, unless he was mistaken, nothing else. Unconsciously, his body reacted. Embarrassed, he turned away, breathing deeply and trying to focus on anything other than her nearness. She hesitated, confused by his reaction. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, sure! Why do you ask?” He mentally damned Bethany once again.

“Well, you acted like you were angry at me or something,” she explained as she gingerly sat down at the table.

“No, I’m not angry, just not used to being around people.” His response seemed to satisfy her and she relaxed.

“Thank you for the shower. It was wonderful!”

“No problemo—anytime.” He ladled out dishes of food for her, himself and lastly, Demon, who slurped his down in two bites and look expectantly at their bowls.

“Go lay down,” Nathan commanded the dog. “You can have the leftovers.” The dog acted like he understood as he lay down and patiently waited for them to finish.

“He’s pretty smart, isn’t he?” Riley commented, watching the dog, who immediately bared his teeth at her, “or maybe not.”

Nathan laughed, his eyes sparkling in the soft glow of the fire. “He’s actually pretty amazing. I haven’t really worked with him too much, but he picks up so fast and he doesn’t forget. I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’ll get used to you, just give it some time.” They ate in companionable silence for awhile.

“You were going to tell me about felt making,” Riley prompted.

He explained. “First, I had to find some wool. That was the hard part. There are some wild sheep or goats of some sort around here, but they aren’t that easy to catch and I had to get pretty inventive. I did finally catch some young ones and I have them penned up in a cave near here. They’re about 3 years old now. After I finally had some wool, I carded it with some combs I made. I stretch the locks of wool into rectangles and layer the rectangles with the fibers all going in the same direction,” he demonstrated the technique by hand gestures. “Then I make a second layer at right angles to the first. Most of the time I only use two layers, but I could use more if I wanted additional thickness. Afterwards, I wet the whole thing down between two layers of skins and then I walk all over it until the fibers had compacted together. That takes forever! Then I squeeze all the water out and stretch and shape it to add strength. Then it just has to dry for about a day or more. That’s it.” He made a very complicated process sound so easy.

“And you learned that how?” She was finding it hard not to be interested in surviving here.

“Aunt Bethany had quite a number of “How To” books that I read before coming here. She thought they would help.”

“I guess so! I am amazed that you retained all that information. All I got prior to coming here was the basics on hand-to-hand combat.”

“Which you were doing pretty well before we came on the scene.” His compliment was surprising. “I have a photographic memory—if there is such a thing,” he added almost apologetically. “It’s one of the reasons I was picked for Black Ops.”

“A photographic memory? What I wouldn’t do for one of those! I have to study everything twenty times to retain even part of the information.”

“It has its strong points but not always. I never forget anything either and that isn’t always good.” He stared into space as his mind went over a memory, one he apparently didn’t want to share.

Riley moved slowly and set her bowl on the floor within Demon’s reach. He accepted the offering, gobbling down what little remained. After he had eaten, he sat down and lazily regarded Riley. His attitude was one of an emperor gracing a subject with his presence.

“What? No thank you?” Riley complained, “And I just bet you think you’re going to share my pillow again! Guess again, Buckwheat!”

The dog yawned, seemingly bored with her and the conversation.

“Now that I have the sheep, I am going to try weaving. There are some very basic loom designs that I can use. I’ve been carving a spindle and I’ll have to perfect that technique before I start weaving. It’ll take some time, but that’s something I seem to have plenty of.” He began cleaning up as he spoke. “I sort of gave up doing anything for awhile, just didn’t seem any reason to keep trying.” He turned away, intent on washing the dishes.

Riley sat there for some minutes before she spoke. “I guess it’s something we both should learn to do. If I’m stuck here, I might as well learn all I can.”

Nathan regarded her steadily. “What exactly did you do before you came here?”

“I was a botanist. I had just earned my doctorate when I applied for the job, and here I thought I was going to be making a great contribution to science.” Her eyes reflected the irony of the situation.

“I’m sorry,” he said again.

“I am too, sorry I mean. None of this is directly your fault. It’s just going to take some time to get used to.”

Guilt washed over him again, he could hear the regret in her voice.

“I wish there was something I could do to change this,” he motioned around the room. “I made the choice to come here—you didn’t.”

“Yeah,” she said dryly. “I know. I thought I was going on an extended research project. This is a little more ‘extended’ than I had bargained for.” She stood up and walked over to the rock basin he used as a sink. Filling it with hot water, she began washing the few plates they had used. He had even fashioned a dish rack of sorts for air drying the dishes. She had to give it to him, he was pretty inventive!

“I’ll let you have the cot and I can sleep on the floor,” Nathan offered gallantly, the cot being the only available bed.

“No, I was perfectly fine on the floor last night.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll find some poles and make you a cot like the one I have. I’ll divide up the sleeping room so you can have a space of your own. I’d rather you were closer at night just in case anything happens.” He left the thought hanging in the air.

That sounded ominous! “What could happen?”

“I have things pretty well set up for security, but there are always those unexpected contingencies. I would want you where I could protect you,” he explained, “and there is a small escape route through the back of the tunnel that we can use if it ever came to that.”

Under the circumstances, Riley decided, it would probably be the best idea. “Maybe I should make my bed in there tonight,” she commented. “I might as well get used to the set up around here.” There were other considerations, perhaps she could lose her bed partner if she was in the other room. She snuck a look at Demon, who curled his lip in response. She busied herself moving her bedding to the back room, opposite Nathan’s bed. The room wasn’t all that large, but she actually felt better being near Nathan. It had been pretty unnerving the night before and had taken her some time to finally relax, and now that she had a firsthand look at the wildlife around here, being closer to Nathan was definitely appealing.

Nathan finished cleaning up and came into the back room. Riley was already settled snugly in bed, tired from the long day and drifting off. He undressed and climbed into bed, staring at the rocks above him until he finally fell asleep.

CHAPTER NINE

Jonas Whitehorse fiddled with his hunting knife, tossing it from hand to hand as he considered the facts. Five plus years ago, his very best friend had disappeared from this compound. Jonas knew that Nathan hadn’t left by any of the security gates, he or one of his security people would have noticed. Unbeknownst to Ms. Collins or that freak Miles, Jonas had installed small security cameras unattached to the security system already in place. It was his personal backup system in the event the other went down. Only he and one other person on his team knew about the backup security system, and he trusted that person implicitly.

He reviewed all the tapes from the time Nathan disappeared and, though Nathan had entered the research facility, he had never left. He had disappeared and although Jonas had searched the compound thoroughly a hundred times, Nathan was nowhere to be found. Now the young woman was missing as well and the scenario was much the same as the previous event involving Nathan. Once again, Jonas had reviewed the security tapes over and over, and the only thing for certain was that she had entered the main research building a week ago and that was the last anyone had seen her.

Jonas was privy to most of the research facility’s secrets, but there were some places that he had never been allowed access. His suspicions had been aroused when the young woman had shown up, especially given her story that she was here for a new research project. He knew that wasn’t possible, but had refrained from saying anything. He speculated on the various possibilities but couldn’t come up with a viable theory for either one’s disappearance. Whatever was going on, Dr. Collins was at the center, and Nathan and Riley were somehow involved.

Dr. Collins had left the facility shortly after Riley disappeared and only Miles remained, finishing up on his end of the research before the facility was finally shut down.

Jonas studied the knife, perhaps it was time to visit Miles and extract some information…

* * *

“I tell you I don’t know anything,” Miles screamed for the tenth time. “Bethany is the one you need to talk to, not me!”

Jonas regarded his trussed captive. He had bound Miles to the chair, unable to move anything but his mouth. He had been this way for over three hours now and Jonas had patiently chipped away at his composure with subtle threats of pain and mutilation. How far Jonas was prepared to go depended on Miles and Miles’ ability to withstand pain. Jonas didn’t think it would take much longer. Miles had wet his pants a few moments ago and his eyes were glazed and bulging in fear. Jonas hadn’t had to hurt him yet, just the mere thought of what he was prepared to do had Miles cringing.

“Let’s start again,” Jonas began, “five years ago, Nathan disappeared. Where did he go?”

“You need to ask Bethany,” Miles whimpered, “I can’t tell you anything.”

“Can’t or won’t?” Jonas said softly.

Miles stared at him, full realization of what Jonas was capable of was pretty evident in his fear-glazed eyes. His shoulders drooped in defeat. “If I tell you, will you let me go?” He pleaded.

Jonas took his time answering, letting the man sweat for a little while longer. “If you don’t tell me, you can be sure you won’t live.”

Miles blanched, his face going even whiter than it had been. “If I tell you, you have to promise me that you won’t tell anyone what I told you and that I’ll go free.”

Jonas casually flipped the knife over and over in his hand, making sure Miles watched every move. “You have my promise, but only if you tell me the truth. If I find out later you lied to me, I’ll find you and finish what I started.”

Miles nodded, clearing his throat. “Do you know what research we were doing here?”

Jonas dipped his head. “Very little. I wasn’t privy to your secrets.”

“Bethany found a way to bend time—the ripple effect. Have you heard of it?”

Jonas shook his head no.

“Basically, in lay terms, it means that time flows in ripples and Bethany found a way to bend that time and open it up. When Nathan got in trouble, Bethany sent him through to hide him and later sent the woman through as his mate.”

Jonas laughed derisively. “And you expect me to believe that?”

“No! It’s true. Bethany discovered how to bend time—but our funding ran out before we were able to perfect the process and no one wanted to put good money after bad. That’s what they said anyway.” His eyes pleaded with Jonas to believe him.

“Assuming I believe you, where exactly did they go?”

“They’re in the late Pleistocene era or Ice Age, in Eurasia, as close as we can estimate. Land masses were somewhat different then.”

“What made you decide to send the woman?”

“Nathan was losing it. Bethany was afraid he was going to kill himself or go crazy, and you know how Bethany is about Nathan. She came up with this idiotic scheme to send the woman back. I was against it! It wasn’t fair to the woman, but Bethany wouldn’t listen to me! She threatened to expose me if I didn’t help her.” He added miserably. “I wouldn’t have gone along with it otherwise.”

“So Bethany has something on you. That’s interesting. Maybe you should tell me what that is.”

“It has nothing to do with this.” Miles’ eyes dropped.

“I don’t know,” Jonas casually prompted, “it might make things less complicated down the road.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I still have to decide what I’m going to do with the information you gave me and I would hate to have this conversation again.” He ran the knife across his finger, blood bubbling up from the cut. Miles swallowed convulsively, blanching even whiter, if that was possible.

“I misappropriated facility funds for my own purposes,” he blurted out.

“How interesting,” Jonas commented softly as he studied the blood oozing out of the cut, “and I presume Dr. Collins knew about that little problem?”

“She did, and that’s how she coerced me into helping her. I didn’t want to spend the next twenty years in jail for embezzlement.”

Jonas nodded, working hard to appear sympathetic. “Totally understandable. I would feel the same way. Now, let’s go back to the disappearance of Nathan and Riley. If what you say is true, can they be retrieved from the past? What’s up with that?”

“No. Never! It’s a one-way ticket. We can send through but there’s no way we’ve found to retrieve anything that has gone through yet. We’ve been secretly sending equipment, food and communications to Nathan for the past five years and when it was decided by the higher ups that the facility was losing too much money, the decision was made to close down. Sending Riley was a last ditch effort by Bethany so Nathan wouldn’t be alone in the far distant past, so for all intents and purposes, they’re stuck there.”

Jonas attention was focused on the wall opposite for several minutes. “Is it still possible to send things through?”

“I don’t think so, not without Bethany. It’s hard to explain, but there are times when it is more propitious to send through, and it only happens once every so often. That’s why we sent Riley through on that Friday; the window was at its highest probability of success. We have sent equipment through on lesser times, but Nathan and Riley only went when the window was at its peak. I was supposed to finish up closing everything down before I left.”

“So it’s still open?” Jonas whirled on him.

Miles nodded, as much as he was able to nod, tied up as he was. “But I’m supposed to have it totally shut down by Tuesday.”

“When is the next best window?” Jonas stared hard at Miles, whose eyes rounded.

“You’re not thinking of going through, are you?” He croaked.

“Answer the damn question!” Jonas stabbed the knife into the wall.

“In about three weeks, give or take a few days. I would have to recalculate the parameters,” Miles’ breath exploded in a rush.

Jonas nodded, satisfied that he had all the information he needed right now. “Well, this session is done, but I’m sure I’ll want to continue sometime in the very near future. I’m going to untie you, but you’re staying locked in this room until I decide what I’m going to do with you. In the meantime, tell me what you need to work on those new calculations.”

“In here, you want me to work in here? All the information I need is in the research lab,” Miles protested.

Jonas took his time untying his victim. “Then I will have to go in there and make sure that’s all you have access to. Give me the code, or do I need your fingerprint to get in? Maybe I should just cut off your finger right now to save time.”

Miles grabbed the key from his pocket, sweat dripping down his pudgy face. Satisfied that Miles had no other keys or means to escape or contact the outside world, Jonas locked him in the room and left the facility. He had people to contact and a team to gather.

Miles sighed with relief. At least he would survive for now. He hated Jonas, had since the day he first came on board, and he knew the feeling was mutual. The man saw everything. Nothing escaped those eagle eyes of his or those of his teammates. Mr. Bad Ass and his team of lesser bad asses! He paced the room, considering his options, which weren’t looking too good right now. Maybe he should just go ahead and do whatever Jonas wanted. If it meant getting out of here in one piece, it would be worth it. Who would know anyway? Unless Bethany came back, there would be very little chance anyone else would find out. A small sneer twisted his thick lips. Who could say if he would even be able to formulate the exact calculations? Anything could happen!

CHAPTER TEN

Riley sat at the table, cutting long ovals from Nathan’s robe. Her stomach was cramping and she needed some personal items. His robe was the only thing she could come up with that fit her needs. She could have cut up the towels, but there were only two of them and perhaps he wouldn’t notice that his robe was somewhat shorter. Some things you just didn’t talk about or share. She had lost count of the days she had been there. Keeping track just didn’t seem important in the scheme of things.

Outside, a great storm was brewing. The sky had darkened and the wind picked up, the temperature dropping even colder as the storm blew in. Nathan became alarmed, expressing his concern about the amount of snow that had come down already. He left the cave a short while ago to tend to his small flock of animals.

At last count, he had four ewes and one ram, or they appeared to be sheep but could be goats for all she knew about Ice Age mammals. There was even a small horse, which she definitely recognized, Nathan was training as a pack animal. They were all penned up in a cave just south of this one and he visited it every day to water and feed them. He indicated that as soon as the weather warmed up, he would pen them outside during the day so they could graze and enjoy the sunshine. The ewes were pregnant and his little flock would double in size by the spring, if spring ever came here. Riley was beginning to wonder. Nathan assured her it would warm up but every day was like the last and so very cold.

She was learning to tan hides and both of them were working on perfecting spinning wool. Nathan was working on a basic loom, and he was sure they could begin cloth production at any time. Riley was hoping to find some wild cotton bolls when the weather warmed up and perhaps they could weave that as well. Not having anything but leather and some felt was quite a problem. She never realized before how much she depended on cotton material or, better yet, paper products. Being a botanist, she might be able to come up with some basic paper and ink. Might as well put her knowledge to some use. She finished cutting out the ovals and stitched several layers together. Satisfied with her efforts, she put them away and cleaned up the telltale scraps.

Nathan entered the shelter, his face red with cold and his coat wet with snow. “It’s getting really bad out there and it doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon.”

“Are the animals okay?” Riley asked, concerned.

“Yeah, but restless. They can sense the storm and it’s making them nervous. I fed them enough to last for a few days in case I can’t get back right away.” He shook off his coat and draped it near the fire, rubbing his hands to warm them.

“Where’s Demon?”

“He ran off the minute we went out. Probably a female in heat somewhere. He’ll come back. He always does.” Though his comment sounded relaxed, Nathan looked worried.

“Well, that little horn dog!” Riley grinned. “Good to hear somebody around here’s getting some.”

Nathan’s jaw dropped and his face reddened.

“Wha....what do you mean?” He choked out, perplexed by her comment.

“I was teasing, silly. Hasn’t anyone ever teased you?” Her smile widened. “Why, I do believe you’re embarrassed!”

His face flamed even redder. “Sorry,” he growled, “but it’s been so long, I forgot what teasing was.”

Amused at his discomfort, Riley eased up. “Well, I hope he’s careful and uses the right protection.” She had grown used to the dog’s irritating ways.

Demon had finally accepted her somewhat. He no longer snarled or bared his teeth at her every move, at least no more than once a day now, and he was always happy to eat whatever she left and share her bed. His share was generally the greater half but no amount of pushing or prodding would gain her more room. Immune to Nathan’s commands that he get down and stay down, the minute the lights went out, he was back on her bed, angling for position. It was a tug-of-war which neither won, but in reality, Riley was comforted by the fact that he was between her and whatever might come through the door, so she grudgingly allowed his intrusion.

“He’ll be back,” Nathan reiterated, “probably about midnight or shortly thereafter, just about the time I finally get to sleep.” Nathan went into the back room and removed his wet clothes, and returned wearing his robe, which was considerably shorter by now, showing a good portion of his well-shaped male legs. He looked down confused, but shrugged and started dinner.

Sure enough, long after they had bedded down for the night, Demon was howling outside the cave. Nathan got up and let him in but didn’t allow him in the sleeping area because he was wet. The dog fussed and whined but finally laid down in front of the fire pit and settled down. Riley grinned to herself—score one point for her! She kind of missed his big old stinky dog body though.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

In the small confines of the cave, Nathan was forced to become more sociable. There were few times during the day that either was alone, mostly when Nathan left to hunt, fish or take care of his flock. It was as though they were married, but without the physical intimacy. By unspoken agreement, they avoided physical contact and were careful about privacy.

Though comfortable with this arrangement, on more than one occasion, Riley caught herself staring at him, the way his muscles moved, his expressive face and the efficiency with which he tackled every task. He didn’t shrink from performing any job, no matter how lowly, and didn’t expect her to take over the “womanly” chores just because a female was now in residence, for which Riley was eternally grateful. A chief cook and bottle washer she was not, and never had been. She was more at ease doing the male-oriented duties than the female ones. However, she admitted grudgingly to herself, had she taken a desk job working nine to five in a normal, safe atmosphere, she would most likely not be where she was today.

Every evening, after the daily chores were completed, they would sit and talk for hours. He was thirsty for information on the modern world, and she was willing to spend whatever time necessary to update him on whatever topic he chose. Nathan’s contribution to these evening sessions was to explain life as it presently existed. Never being a party animal, Riley was not finding it too hard to adjust, but she did miss her books. She still had not fully accepted that she was stuck in this place, but blaming Nathan wasn’t doing any good either. He had accepted wholeheartedly her intrusion into his life and went out of his way to make her feel welcome and needed, and if ever a man needed a companion, he did.

Nathan had fashioned a shelf for her parents’ picture, and other than her one pair of modern day panties, it was the only possession she had. He had helped her sew another pair of leather leggings and several soft tunics. On one occasion, they had made felt, laughing and talking as they walked and walked. Nathan had hummed a tune and they had even danced on the felt for awhile. Demon had viewed the whole incident with bored disgust, yawning and finally snoozing while they played.

Nathan proved to be an excellent hunter and fisherman and there was always sufficient food on the table. In the deep recesses of the cave, Nathan had stored dried vegetables and meats for the winter, but Riley looked forward to warmer weather and the addition of some fresh fruits and vegetables to the daily fare. She learned that although they were in the midst of an ice age, they were far enough south that the seasons did come and plant life was abundant during the warmer months. It would be interesting to see if she could identify the vegetation.

Nathan left one morning to hunt, faithful Demon at his side, leaving Riley to fend for herself. With nothing else to do, she decided to investigate the deeper recesses of the cave. Nathan had indicated there was an escape tunnel that exited out from the spring room, and she decided now was as good a time as any to investigate. A quick inspection did not reveal the location but by careful scrutiny and well placed raps with a wooden mallet, she was finally able to locate the opening. Nathan had concealed the opening with another cleverly designed door, rolling on wooden casters like the door to the inner room of the cave. She forced the door open and peered down into the dark. Not eager to explore without some sort of illumination, she found some tallow candles and lit one from the fireplace. A slight breeze wafted through the tunnel, and she had to cup her hand around the candle’s flame to prevent it being blown out.

Riley stepped into the naturally formed tunnel, walking carefully on the uneven floor. The tunnel was claustrophobic. Riley barely had room to stand up, and the tunnel itself was extremely narrow. Anyone much taller than Nathan would be hard pressed to move through the tunnel easily. The candle cast a weak glow in the dark—shadows danced eerily on the rock walls. Riley’s imagination went wild. Nathan had assured her that the tunnel was empty of animal life, but in case it wasn’t, she didn’t want to be the first to make such a discovery. Dying of heart failure so young wasn’t on her present agenda. Her mind conjured up the image of the monstrous bear, now lurking in the shadows. She found reassurance in the fact that it was doubtful he could have fit into the confines of the tunnel, though other creatures might not have the same problem.

She gingerly made her way along the slightly angling downgrade, keeping her eye out for anything slithery or slimy that might be waiting in ambush. If the size of the bear was any indication, she didn’t want to encounter any spiders or snakes, if there happened to be any in here.

Skittering sounds broke the silence and spider webs caught in her hair as she moved forward, her skin crawling with visions of the imagined occupants. Obviously, Nathan didn’t use this outlet on a regular basis and anything could have gotten in. Water dripped down the walls along the way, making the pathway not only uneven, but slick as well and she had to concentrate to keep her footing.

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally arrived at what she believed was the outer door. A quick check of the door proved once again that Nathan had used wooden casters and the door could be opened quickly if needed. Since she was unsure of what might be lurking on the other side, she opted to forego opening the door for another day. She turned and in doing so, the candle glow danced off a large form, covered in fur, filling the tunnel. Riley screamed and fell backwards, the candle dying out as she fell. Scuttling backwards, she groped in the dark for anything she could use as a weapon.

“What are you doing in here?” Nathan’s voice calmly came out of the dark.

“Oh my God, Nathan! You scared the be-jesus out of me!” Riley almost fainted in relief, so thankful was she to hear his voice.

Nathan’s hand found her in the dark and he helped her to her feet. “Sorry, but there’s something I wanted to show you so I came back to get you.”

“Well, next time make some noise and let me know you’re behind me. I thought a bear had me!”

“I didn’t know you were so skittish or I would have made noise as I came down.”

“Skittish? I’m not skittish! Generally, I’m a very calm and collected person, in my real life, that is.”

Nathan moved along the tunnel, holding her hand to guide her along. He seemed to know every curve and obstacle by heart so they moved easily through the twists and turns.

“What possessed you to come in here?” Nathan asked again.

“I was a little bored and you talked about an escape route and since I had some time, I thought I should be aware of its location, just in case.”

“You should! But ask me to show you next time. It’s kind of tricky to maneuver in here if you don’t know the layout.” They turned a corner and light from the opening to the spring room softly lit the tunnel.

Riley almost ran into the spring room, immensely grateful to be out of the tunnel. “Now, what did you come back for that you had to scare ten years off of my life?” Bending over, she swished her hands frantically through her hair, praying that she hadn’t picked up some hideous crawling creature in the tunnel. Nathan watched in amusement. He hadn’t realized she was so easily frightened.

“It’s a surprise! Get dressed in your outer clothes and you’ll see. I don’t get to see this very often and I thought you would be interested.” He gathered up some jerky and a water bladder. “We can have a picnic along the way.”

Riley raced around, adding layers in anticipation of the weather outside, excited at the prospect of an outing and the expectation of a surprise. She followed him out of the cave and into the sunshine. It was a beautiful but very cold day, the snow considerably deeper after the recent storm. A slight breeze blew, lifting her hair gently from her already rosy cheeks. Nathan bent down to tie some homemade snowshoes on her feet then they started off.

Having never worn snowshoes before, she tripped a number of times until she got the hang of it. Nathan moved easily while she scooted along like she had a stick up her fanny, but it worked for her. Nathan’s face twisted in amusement as he watched her progress, but he was careful not to say anything to belittle her technique.

Nathan took a course heading north, along a track he had made earlier. Riley followed behind Demon, in her usual place. At the edge of an overhang, Nathan pointed, “Look out there, can you see them?”

Riley’s eyes adjusted to the glare. She could! In the distance, a herd of what she thought looked like giant deer moved slowly through the snow-covered expanse, towards the tree line. From her vantage point, they looked enormous.

“Those are Megaceros, I believe they are called. I call them moose, but if I remember right, they are actually deer.” Nathan explained. “They can stand ten feet tall and have an antler span of eleven feet. Pretty impressive! Now look to the right! Can you see them?”

Maneuvering around, the others were obviously planning to attack the herd and had positioned themselves in readiness.

“They’re actually going to attack those huge animals?” Riley gasped. The others seemed so small in comparison to the behemoths. She watched as the drama below unfolded.

“They’ll try to force one of the smaller ones away from the rest and then they’ll coordinate the kill.” The others certainly seemed to be following this method of synchronizing their attack. Several others were distracting the lead animals while still others were forcing a smaller animal away from the herd. After several minutes of this concerted approach, the huge animals, realizing they were under attack, formed a defensive circle with the largest animals facing outward and the smaller ones inside for protection. The enraged animals charged the others repeatedly, trying to ram or stomp them to ground, all the while protecting those inside the safety of the circle. The young animal selected for slaughter managed to avoid capture by the others and ran back to the herd.

“The others will probably give up now. Once the animals form a circle, there’s very little chance that they can take one. Generally they try to take one while they are spread out, but it’s almost impossible once they circle up. The moose will fight like crazy to protect the younger herd members, and the others just don’t have the ability to break through their line. Moose can be pretty ferocious when protecting their young.” He paused for a moment. “From what I’ve read, it’s believed the Megaceros were hunted to extinction by man.”

Though the food chain was a fact of life, Riley was happy that the animals would be safe for now. They were a wondrous thing to see, and she had no interest in seeing any of them die. “Have you ever hunted them?”

“A few times, but I wasn’t successful. I think there’s a better chance when there’s a group going after them. They’re pretty tough to bring down. Are you hungry?” Nathan handed her some jerky while he chewed on a piece. Riley took the strip of smoked meat, barely avoiding Demon’s quick snap.

“Aha!” She yelped triumphantly, “think you’re pretty fast, don’t you?” She waved the meat slowly back and forth, teasing the dog unmercifully. Demon watched the piece of jerky, his jaws salivating as he imagined the taste. Relenting, Riley broke off a piece and tossed it to him. “What will the others do now? Will they give up?”

“They’ll back off for now, but I suspect they’ll keep near the herd until they can take one or more down. There’s too much meat there to pass up.”

“Do they hunt every day or only when necessary?” Food gathering took on a whole new level of importance when there wasn’t a grocery store in the picture.

“From what I have seen, they mostly hunt every day, but I know they have provisions stored as well. I’ve watched their encampment a lot, just to observe their habits, that sort of thing, and there’s always a group that goes hunting each day if the weather permits, as well as those who fish on a regular basis. Food gathering is the central core of their existence.”

Riley nodded; a lot could be endured over a full stomach. “This picnic would be better if we had some homemade bread, fresh fruit, and a bottle of wine,” she mentioned unnecessarily, “and where’s the ants?”

Nathan laughed softly, his dark eyes sparkling as he snapped his fingers. “I knew I forgot something! Next time I’ll bring some. I’m sure the ants these days are big enough that two or three would be able to walk off with the entire meal.”

“Great!” Riley grumbled. “Is anything small around here?” She tossed another piece of jerky to Demon, just for future good relations.

“We should start back,” Nathan commented, “if you’re ready.” Without waiting for her answer, he turned and plowed along the same path as they had come. Nathan avoided looking at her as she stumbled a few times again, but she thought she saw his shoulders shake. Bite me, she thought, tripping again. These stupid snowshoes weren’t on her list of favorites.

“Keep your eyes open,” Nathan warned, “with a herd that size so near, many of the larger predators will be in the area as well.”

Immediately, every tree and bush became a thing to be avoided, providing cover for any evil skulking in their wake. Riley veered away from any large rocks, trees or brush, slowing their retreat down, her meandering path covering twice the distance of Nathan’s.

By the time they had covered half the distance to the shelter, Nathan was grumbling at her slow progress. “For Pete’s sake, quit worrying about every little tree or bush, Demon would let us know if anything was close.”

“Are you sure?” Riley nervously questioned. “What if he misses something?”

Demon took that moment to stop and stiffen up, his eyes focused on something unseen to Nathan or Riley, his nose quivering as he inhaled the scent. Nathan watched the dog closely, taking his cue from the dog’s bearing. Her heart stopped, or at least she thought it did, and then it began pumping furiously as adrenalin flowed through her limbs. Demon crouched, growling softly, a subtle warning of some unseen danger. Nathan grabbed Riley’s arm and pushed her behind a nearby rock and motioned for her to be quiet. She could neither see nor hear anything, but every instinct screamed that they should flee. Growls rumbled softly from Demon’s chest, his entire body stiff and tense.

Nathan scanned the direction Demon was focused on, hoping to catch sight of whatever caused the dog’s warning. Below them, and upwind, a large saber toothed cat moved stealthily along the tree line, working its way towards the herd of giant moose. Behind it, four more huge cats were following his lead, stalking their enormous prey. Demon slowly relaxed as the cats moved away, unaware that they were being observed from above.

“It’s okay,” Nathan mouthed. “They’re not paying us any attention. At least not right now. We’d better get back to the shelter while their attention is focused elsewhere.” He helped her to her feet and brushed the snow from her behind.

“I suppose you’re telling me nicely that they would find us quite palatable as a dinner choice,” she grumbled, her knees shaking from the near encounter.

“Yeah, I hate to say it, but they would. That’s the first I’ve seen so many hunting together. It must be because of the herd. Most of the other ones I have seen were alone or with perhaps one other. Weird.” He watched the cats disappear into the distance.

Riley had to agree and the remainder of the trip went a lot faster than the first half. Imagining what those huge cats could do to them added impetus to her momentum, even with the snowshoes on. She quit worrying about the unseen dangers and worried about the real ones. They finally reached the cave and Riley flung herself inside, falling face down as one snowshoe caught on the uneven floor. She landed in a heap, banging her nose in the fall. Nathan rushed to her side, helping her to stand, his eyes sparkling as he fought to keep from laughing. Outraged that he would laugh at her, she jerked her arm free, glaring at his insensitive humor. Nathan was immediately contrite as blood dripped from her swollen and discoloring nose.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized, “I didn’t realize you were hurt.” He tried ineffectively to stop the bleeding as she slapped his hand away.

“Justh quit! You’re making it worsth,” she intoned nasally, as she leaned back, pinching her nose. “Thith ith your fault, you know!” she complained.

“My fault! Why is it my fault?”

She dropped her hand, glaring at him. “I wouldn’t have fallen if you hadn’t scared me!”

“I unintentionally scared you this morning. The cats scared you this afternoon, so why is it my fault?”

“Just forget it! Forget I said anything.” Reaching down, she took off the offending snowshoes and threw them against the wall of the cave, and stalked over to the inner door, waiting for him to open it. As soon as he did, she stomped into the shelter, clearly annoyed with him and everything else. She plopped down on a chair, tilting her head back to stop the flow of blood. Nathan brought her a cold compress and pressed it to her nose and forehead.

“Thanks,” she said, accepting his care, “Sorry, I snapped at you. I don’t take being hurt well. Everyone knows that.”

“I’ll remember that,” he grinned, “for next time.” The blood slowed and finally stopped.

“Is my nose horridly swollen? Do you think it’s broken?”

He carefully examined the injured organ. “I don’t think so. It’s not too bad—really!” Nathan was careful not to let on that the area around her eyes was going dark. She was beginning to look like a raccoon and would have two nice shiners by tomorrow. He doubted she would be pleased with the comparison. Good thing he didn’t have any mirrors around.

“You’re looking like you want to laugh again,” Riley commented suspiciously. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he lied. “I was just thinking about how you looked when you went down—before I knew you were hurt, that is,” he hurriedly explained. “Maybe you’d better lie down and rest for awhile, just in case.”

Resting did sound like a good idea and she went willingly. She was still not totally acclimated to the new environment and was easily tired, and it had been a long day. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Having made his decision, the time following Jonas’ forceful extraction of Nathan and Riley’s whereabouts from Miles was filled with activity. Specific members of his former Black Ops team were contacted and, if they were willing and met his criteria, were instructed to proceed to the Montana facility as soon as possible, where he would be awaiting their arrival. In the meantime, he contacted the Council of the nearby Blackfoot Indian tribe to put forth his plan. After receiving their approval, he carefully made his selection of those willing and physically able to become a part of the venture, choosing only those in their mid 20’s to late 30’s, an equal number of each sex, and each having some specific craft or skill in which they excelled, such as bow stretching, flint knapping, arrow fletching, tanning skins, weaving, tracking, ancient weaponry or the like—crafts which would aid their survival in a hostile environment. By the time he had completed this selection process, sixteen men and women, including himself, had been chosen to take part.

They were all gathered at the facility, awaiting departure. After briefing them on the “mission” as he called it for want of a better name, all were nervous but none had opted out. They were as eager as he was to step into the past. It was an exciting prospect and none were willing to be left behind.

Miles had been forcibly taken to the lab and one or more of the Black Ops team were always inside the lab with him as he worked on the necessary calculations, oftentimes long into the evening hours each day. He was watched carefully and his every move questioned. Jonas was anxiously awaiting the final result, growing more restless with each passing day.

Supplies were readied, and informative classes into the animal and plant life they would perhaps encounter were held each day. Those members who were not previously with the Black Ops team were also instructed on hand-to-hand combat and use of the available weaponry. By agreement, only weapons which were historically available to early humans would be taken. They all forced themselves to excel in everything; it might be a life or death situation and no one wanted to be the weak link on the team.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A week later, another winter storm blew in, more violent than the previous one, drastically dropping temperatures and showing no signs of letting up soon. Cold air seeped through every crack in the shelter, and even with the fire going round the clock, the temperature inside the cave area was cool. The wind whistled piercingly outside the confines of the shelter and the air was rent with the sounds of breaking and crashing tree limbs. Snow blew in gusts, swirling and churning as the storm progressed.

Venturing outside was out of the question, visibility was limited to only a few feet and getting lost in the storm was a very real possibility. Worried that the firewood would not last until Nathan was able to replenish their stockpile, they kept the fire small and Riley, who was cold all the time in any event, was forced to dress in several layers to stay warm even inside the cave. Though insulated from the worst of the storm, unless they could bring in more firewood soon, the prospect of freezing to death was a very real concern. Fortunately, Nathan had been able to take care of his livestock before the worst of the storm hit and, unless the storm lasted longer than he expected, they would survive until he was able to get through to feed them.

Riley shivered in her bed, not generating enough heat to warm up the skins and because she was so cold she couldn’t relax. She could see her breath misting in the air inside the sleeping chamber and the tip of her nose felt frozen. Demon, the traitor, had deserted her to cuddle up to Nathan—apparently he was warmer than she was—leaving her to try to keep warm alone. She pulled a skin over her head, her teeth chattering in response.

“Are you cold?” Nathan’s voice softly whispered.

Riley lifted up the skin, just barely enough to reply. “I’m freezing over here.”

“Demon and I are really warm, almost too warm,” he lazily replied. “I’d forgotten how much heat he puts off.”

Riley fumed. Here she was freezing to death and all he could tell her was how warm he was. “Well, I’m happy for you,” she grumbled. “I don’t suppose you could convince him to come back over here.”

Nathan chuckled. “I don’t think so. He seems pretty content where he’s at.”

Riley squirmed around, trying to adjust the covers for better coverage, but every time she covered one spot up, a new spot opened up. No matter what she did, she couldn’t get warm.

“Yeah,” Nathan commented smugly, “It’s really warm over here. We’re doing fine.”

Riley ground her teeth in agitation, trying to still their chattering. She peeked out of the skin, the room lit by the glow of one small candle. Nathan and the dog appeared quite comfortable; the dog was even snoring softly. Gathering up her courage, she jumped out of bed and made a beeline across the room, leaping into Nathan’s bed and snuggling down in the middle before he had a chance to protest.

“Jesus!” Nathan complained. “You’re killing me! Your feet are like ice blocks!”

Riley busied herself rubbing her feet up and down his legs, leaching his warmth greedily. The dog huffed at her intrusion but refused to give up his spot, forcing her to take whatever room she could from Nathan’s space. His spot was all warm and snugly and she grinned in spite of herself.

“Are you ever going to lay still?” He grumbled. “Or better yet, go back to your own bed.”

“No freaking way!” She retorted. “I’m finally warm and I’m staying put!” Wiggling around, she finally came to rest beside Demon, her backside snuggled into Nathan’s warmth. It was perfect!

Nathan held his breath, barely able to move. Riley had managed to acquire half his covers with her endless squirming. He could feel her slowly relax and then drift off to asleep. Unless he wanted his butt to turn blue from cold, he was going to have to move closer to gain some advantage with the covers. Inching over carefully, he spooned himself around her, intrigued by the sensation of being close. He searched his memory, trying to remember the last time he had been with a woman, either in passion or for comfort. It had been Emily. There had been no others since their first meeting so long ago.

His mind skimmed over those precious times. They had met in college and had fallen in love almost immediately. Marriage followed and they had been happy together. When the time came that he joined the Black Ops, she had stood behind his decision, even though she was alone much of the time. His stomach tightened in grief, a lump forming in his throat. Being alone was the reason she had died. He had not been there to protect her. Cuddling closer to Riley, he made a silent vow to protect this woman, no matter what.

A whisper of a smile quirked his lips as her face came to mind. They had become friends in the short time she had been here, given their unfavorable beginnings. Her personality was one he could appreciate—funny, intelligent, and overly curious—all the things that made for a good companion. It didn’t hurt either that she was a natural beauty, although calling her a natural beauty right now was almost tongue-in-cheek. The shiners and the swollen nose she had gotten the day of the snowshoe adventure had almost cleared up, but blue traces still shadowed the areas below her eyes. He had decided it was better that she didn’t know about them and since there were no mirrors, he was able to keep up the charade. With those light thoughts and comforted by her warmth, he finally fell asleep.

Riley opened her eyes, Demon had jumped off the bed and was nervously pacing, waiting for one or the other to wake up and let him out. She cautiously turned over, careful not to disturb Nathan if he was still sleeping. Face to face, his eyes were wide open, twinkling in amusement.

“Are you getting up or should I?” He grinned.

Riley edged back, unhappy at losing her warm spot, but unwilling to push the moment any farther. “I vote for you,” she quipped, “and my vote counts as two.”

Nathan frowned. “And why is that? I am, after all, the president of this consortium.”

Riley chuckled. “You might be the president of the consortium, but I am the Emperor of the North. I think that overrules your minority position.”

“Who elected you?”

“Emperors aren’t elected! They’re born into royalty. I was born, therefore I am!”

He scratched his head in confusion, grumbling at her feminine logic as he crawled out of bed. Riley averted her eyes, she had forgotten he slept nude. How could she have forgotten that last night? At the time, it hadn’t seemed to matter—all she could think about was getting warm. And to think she had slept pressed up against him all night long!

Nathan paused uncertainly, realizing too late that Riley was wearing his robe as a nightgown. Grabbing a skin from the bed, he covered up until he could get his pants on.

Riley lay there watching him dress, his skin smooth over the bunching muscles, his shaggy hair messy from sleep, his face shadowed by a two day growth of beard. He looked like how she imagined an early mountain man might have looked. Grabbing a tunic, he pulled it on and followed Demon into the living area. She could hear him stoking the fire up before letting the dog out. Cold air drifted in and she snuggled farther down into the skins until they were back in the shelter.

Nathan was whistling softly and from the sounds of things, he was starting breakfast. It was time to drag her lazy butt out of bed. Wrapping a number of skins around herself, she made a quick trip to the toilet and then dragged her clothing on as quickly as possible, shivering in the morning air. She smoothed her hair into a quick braid and stepped into the living area.

“It looks like the storm is moving out. At least it isn’t a blizzard anymore,” Nathan said. “As soon as breakfast is over, I’m going to try to get to the animals and make sure they are doing okay and then drag in some extra firewood while I can. Maybe we can have a little more heat,” he flashed a smile as she sat down at the table.

Yes, indeedy, Riley thought, this is the life! A man who did all the chores while she sat there and looked beautiful!

“Your eyes have almost cleared up,” Nathan commented casually as he set the table.

“My eyes? What’s wrong with my eyes?”

Nathan coughed. “Uh, nothing, they’re fine.”

She eyed him suspiciously, small incidents popped up in her mind, specifically, those moments when he turned away, laughing for seemingly no reason. She could count at least ten times when that very thing had happened. Her mouth twisted derisively as she considered. “My eyes went black, didn’t they?”

He looked away guiltily. “Not entirely black! There was some bruising—but it’s almost gone.”

“And you let me walk around with two black eyes where anyone could see me and never said a word!”

“The eyes were not nearly as funny as the swollen nose,” he quipped.

“I must look like an idiot!” She was so embarrassed.

“Like who else besides me was going to see you?”

“Well, I don’t know, but somebody could have!” She paused for effect. “Although that might not be too bad, I could always say you’re beating me.”

“And if you did find someone to tell that little tale to, they would probably commend me for my expert handling of my very uncontrollable woman,” he commented dryly.

Without considering her choice of words, Riley blurted out. “Am I your woman?”

Nathan stopped and stared. Her face flamed red, seconds ticking by as she waited for his answer. “I, uh, I didn’t mean that like it came out,” she apologized. “I only meant it as a general comment.”

He didn’t know how to answer her without causing further embarrassment. He turned to finish gathering utensils as he considered her remark. “Unless you want to join the others and be one of their women, I guess you could say you were mine.” He paused, waiting for her response.

Groping for some sort of intelligent but tactful reply, Riley mimicked her favorite presidential sidestep. “I don’t think I’m prepared to comment at this time.” Hey, it worked for them!

Amused, Nathan’s lips tightened in a quick grin. Relief washed over her. She would have to be more careful unless she was prepared to advance their presently comfortable relationship.

“And if you plan on sleeping in my bed tonight,” he warned quietly, “don’t wiggle around so much. I’m a man. I only have so much control.”

Riley’s mouth dropped open, her mind visualizing his subtle meaning. “I...I think I’ll be warm enough tonight,” she stammered, stuffing food into her mouth, as she avoided looking at him.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Nathan left the safety of the shelter to check on his animals. Time seemed to drag while he was away and Riley could find few things to occupy her mind. He had become such an integral part of her life, at least this life, and without her normal day-to-day activities, she was finding the forced solitude hard to bear. She missed her books, they had been her friends through the years and they provided the stimulation her active mind craved. She debated dragging on her outerwear and stepping outside for awhile, finally opting to face the elements. Once again, she layered on the outer clothing, preparing to go out, which was as far as she got. The huge rock blocking the entrance was beyond her limited ability to move. Nathan made it seem so easy, but the sheer size of the rock defeated any attempts she might have made.

Another idea surfaced. The exit through the pool room would be the better choice. Armed with the hated snowshoes, and grabbing her trusty candle, she once again entered the dark recesses of the tunnel, carefully edging her way down. It was less intimidating now that she knew which direction the pathway meandered. Finding her way was much easier this time. Reaching the outer door, she was able to figure out Nathan’s locking mechanism and forced the door open.

Snow blocked the opening and a large mass fell into the tunnel, but there was still room enough for her to crawl out. She floundered in the deep snow but managed to tie on the unwieldy snowshoes. The storm was still in progress, but the wind had died down considerably and visibility was not a problem. Taking stock of her surroundings, she plodded through the snow, careful to take the direction she assumed would swing her around to the front of the cave where she would await Nathan’s return and enjoy some time outside. The whole thing seemed so easy.

At least two hours later, she was still fighting her way through the deep snow, no closer to finding the frontal area of the cave than she had been earlier. Nervously she scanned the surroundings. She was getting farther and farther away from where she believed the cave to be and it had started to snow again, lightly but enough to cover her tracks. Reality set in, she had to make a choice now to turn back before it was too late. Daylight would last only awhile longer and she needed what light still remained to backtrack.

Whatever she decided, Nathan would be furious with her. First of all, she had left the exit open and unprotected, and secondly, because she had left the shelter alone. That alone doomed her in his eyes. He repeatedly reminded her about the dangers of venturing out alone, and she had rashly ignored his warnings. By now, he should have returned to the shelter and realized she was missing and, hopefully, he was searching for her. If she could stay on track, she would at least be able to find the rear exit.

A small animal dashed across her path, reminding her of the other dangers inherent in this place. The huge saber toothed cats could be lurking anywhere and God only knew how many of the giant bears roamed this area. Her throat dry, Riley picked her way back, following her earlier path as closely as she could in the fast dimming light. A crashing noise caused her to stop dead. Fearfully she turned around, bracing herself for the worst. The forest reached out for her, dark and imposing, tree branches waving, the falling snow blurring her vision. Her senses went on alert, urging her to run, adrenalin pumping through her veins. Hairs stood up on the back of her neck. Something was out there and stalking her, waiting for the right moment to pounce. She backed away, fully expecting whatever it was to leap out. Wildly she looked around for something to use as a weapon. Snow covered everything except tree limbs too high for her to reach.

“Nathan!” she screamed. “Help me!” Whatever it was, it crashed through the trees towards her, moving swiftly and ominously in her direction. She tripped over a stump and fell to the ground face first, unable to find even a small handhold in the deep snow, waving her arms wildly, trying to grab onto something to gain leverage, choking in fear. She could feel the presence of a large animal standing over her, his hot breath fanning the nape of her neck. She cringed, waiting for the creature to strike a killing blow.

“Are you making snow angels?” Nathan asked quizzically as Demon nudged her with his nose. He pulled her to her feet, dusting her off. “How many times have I told you to stay in the shelter unless I’m with you?” He growled angrily. “Demon and I have been searching for you for over an hour. What would prompt you to do such a stupid thing?”

Every muscle in Riley’s body turned to jelly. “Oh, God, I was so scared! I thought I could go out the back and walk around and just wait for you at the front entrance and then I got lost and I was trying to find my way back!” She was chattering and shivering uncontrollably. “I thought one of those big cats had me!” She shuddered at the thought, “and then I tried to run and I fell and I couldn’t get back up. It was awful.”

He could see she was genuinely terrified, but it did nothing to lessen his anger, “Don’t ever do this again! Next time I might not get to you in time. I wasn’t warning you just for entertainment, there’re too many real threats out here!”

Mutely, she nodded. She deserved his angry outburst and had no defense.

“We’d better get back before it gets full dark. Most of the animals are probably holed up in the storm but we can’t be sure of that.” He turned and stomped off, leaving her to follow as best she could.

Demon stopped, waiting for her to move and when she did, he walked behind her. Hmm, she thought, I must be coming up in the world. That idea collapsed quickly when Demon nipped her on the butt, urging her to move faster. “Ouch!” she screeched as he bit again, harder this time, “Nathan! Call off your damn dog.”

Nathan ignored her, trudging through the snow, allowing the dog to mete out punishment. Demon’s sharp teeth fostered another sharp nip on her posterior. She screeched again. “I mean it, Nathan! Call off the damn dog before he really hurts me!” And so went the remainder of the trip back to the cave, Demon nipping as she screeched. By the time they arrived, Riley was irate, ready to find the nearest dogcatcher and let the pound do its worst.

“You both are really, really in trouble! Big time!” She grated glaring at the dog. “And you! Your days of sleeping on my bed are over!” She stomped into the back room, tearing off her outer clothes, uncaring that she left a trail of water behind her. Grumbling, she pulled her pants down, trying to assess what damage his teeth probably did to her soft parts. The skin didn’t feel broken or bleeding, but there were a number of small sore spots to attest to his unmerciful harassment. Apparently, the damage was minimal, and that was one lucky dog!

Nathan went about preparing food, listening with one ear to her muttering and complaining, but unwilling to relent or back down. He had come back to the shelter, pleased that his animals were faring well and looking forward to her company. After realizing she had left the cave by the rear exit, and not being able to find her, he whistled for Demon and they began to search. He was almost frantic by the time they located her and, in his relief, had verbally struck out. The end result could have been so much worse, he reminded himself.

A small sliver of amusement drifted to mind—Riley jumping every time Demon nipped. If she only knew, Demon nipped in affection and he was just as glad to find her as Nathan was. The dog had found her trail first and ran ahead, and when they heard her scream, had crashed through the brush in his haste to get to her. He should have been more understanding, he decided. She was, after all, relatively new to the surroundings and still had a lot to learn, but she’d better learn quickly, her life here depended on it. Riley had an undercurrent of stubbornness, which he suspected carried her through during the hard times. He was stubborn as well and that trait in both of them might be a hard one to overcome.

Riley spent the remainder of the evening in the sleeping area, unwilling to make the first move towards reconciliation. True, she was acting childish, but admitting to herself that she was in error was a whole different matter than admitting it to him, and she wasn’t ready to do that right now. He probably had the dog ready to attack her in any event if she did try to come out. Her stomach was grumbling and the smell of cooking food caused her mouth to water uncontrollably. Nathan was whistling in the outer room, seemingly unconcerned that she was ignoring him. He whistled all the time and right now it was driving her crazy.

Demon crawled through the door, his bowl hanging from his mouth, looking at her expectantly.

“Oh, yeah, now that its dinner time, you want to be friends. I don’t think so,” she muttered. He laid the bowl at her feet, licking his chops and watching her every move.

“You’d just better go out there and ask Mr. Man for some food. I don’t have anything.” Demon leaned over and licked her hand, nuzzling his nose under and waiting. Riley pulled her hand back but was stopped by the dog as he gently bit down. Nervously, she tried to pull her hand back, but he hung on, not letting go but not increasing pressure either. Her hand looked small inside his huge jaws but he held her ever so gently and waited; his eyes soft and questioning.

“So what do you want?” She asked softly. “Are you trying to be friends for a change?” She reached over with the other hand and scratched him behind the ears, secretly delighted that he allowed her to do so. He released her hand and laid his head on her lap, enjoying the attention.

Nathan leaned in. “He was really worried when we couldn’t find you,” he paused. “We both were.”

“So why did you let him bite me?”

“He wasn’t biting you! He was nipping you. He does that when he’s happy and he was happy to see you. Haven’t you ever had a dog before?”

“Never,” she sighed. “I grew up in foster homes and most of the time they didn’t allow that sort of thing. I would have liked one though.” She continued scratching Demon, enjoying the moment. “They had a poodle in one of the foster homes I lived in, but of course it wasn’t mine.” She sounded so sad, Nathan’s heart constricted. She glanced up. “Did you have dogs when you were growing up?”

“Yeah. I was raised by Bethany and we always had a few mutts running around. She thought they helped develop character. Now it just seems natural to have one around. It almost killed me when Lila died.”

“I would imagine! I don’t know how you got through it, being alone here and losing the only friend you had. I would have gone crazy.”

He nodded. “I almost did, but I still had Demon and he kept me sane.” Stepping back into the living area, he spoke over his shoulder. “Come on out and eat dinner. We’re sorry, aren’t we, Demon?” The dog wagged his huge tail, almost looking as though he was smiling.

“I’m sorry, too,” Riley apologized contritely. “It was a stupid trick and I won’t do it again. I sometimes forget where I’m at. Most of the time it seems so safe here.”

That bridge crossed, dinner was a warm and comfortable meal and peace settled on the little group.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Jonas eyed Miles skeptically. According to Miles, it was still too early to determine if his calculations were correct. Jonas never let up and his daily visits to Miles were a reminder of what might happen if Miles didn’t succeed soon. Miles argued that a lot of the numbers he was working with were ones that had been Bethany’s area of expertise and it would take time to work his way through the data. Jonas didn’t believe a word fat boy said, but since he had no experience in any of the formulas or calculations necessary to bend time, he would have to rely on Miles. A nasty smile widened Jonas’ lips. There was some comfort in the fact that he scared Miles shitless.

His team was getting anxious as well, and every day seemed interminable. They were as ready as they would ever be, given the circumstances but, ultimately, everything depended on Miles. Jonas considered the possibility of enticing Bethany up here again. If Miles didn’t have the calculations soon, he would look into that possibility. He would feel more comfortable about the whole thing if Bethany were supervising in any event. Miles was a shifty weasel of a man, even though he was a self-professed genius.

Leaving another of his team members to watch Miles, Jonas left the lab and wandered down to the training room. Most of the team were already in attendance, working out with weights or combat training. He silently appraised the group. They had molded themselves into a crack outfit in the short time they had been here, even the women excelled, and he felt confident in their abilities. They were strong, intelligent people with the determination to make this experiment work. Everything was in readiness for their departure and had been for some time. All that remained was for Miles to finish his work.

“Hey, boss,” Mira, a perky brunette called. “When’s this little trip going to get started?” A chorus of questioning voices joined with her query.

“Soon,” Jonas replied. “Soon as I can get Dumb Shit in there to get off his fat butt and finish up the calculations.” He grinned evilly. “I might have to use some other form of persuasion if he doesn’t finish up soon.” Like staking him out in an ant pile and pouring honey over him, he thought. He’d seen that in a movie once and was impressed by the results; certainly something to consider if the need arose.

Micah, a former Black Ops member, approached. “We’re all ready, just say the word.”

Jonas surveyed the group. “You’ve done well in such a short time. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.” It was an honest opinion and coming from Jonas, it was high praise.

Of the fifteen team members, ten were tribesmen and the other five were former Black Ops. The five would provide the necessary security and protection for the team. He trusted each of them with his life and that alone was all that needed to be said. The remaining members were those with the expertise to survive, both physically and spiritually.

Stretching casually, Jonas moved into a fighting stance, needing to work off some nervous energy. Micah smiled, his hands going up in response. Cheers and catcalls issued from the watchers as the two circled. Jonas sprang forward landing a swift kick and the workout commenced in full force. They jumped, whirled, blocked and boxed and, by the time they finished, both were sweating and breathing heavily. Micah had done well and Jonas had to work hard to finally outwit him. Only by a last ditch effort was he able to bring Micah down, but he would have bruises in the morning to remind him how dedicated Micah was. He was a perfect fighting machine.

“Hey, Old Man, I almost had you.” Micah teased, fully conscious of the fact that Jonas could have rendered him far more hurt than he had.

Jonas reciprocated in kind. “Didn’t want to embarrass you, there are ladies watching.”

Laughter spread around the room, warm and comforting, the kind that melded a group together even tighter.

“The ladies know I don’t have any reason to be embarrassed.” Micah strutted, amid pointed remarks from the watching females.

Geena, a Black Ops member, goaded him. “Come on, Micah, you have so ‘little’ to be proud of. Three inches doesn’t a foot make.” Hoots from the other female members applauded her comment.

Micah turned, his gaze wandering over her muscular but feminine form. “Anytime you want to inspect the goods,” he offered, “just let me know.”

Geena laughed, unperturbed by his comment. “Anytime you can turn three inches into a foot, you let me know!” Micah was an interesting male, his dark good looks accented by his piercing black eyes and flashing white teeth. A single feathered earring hung from his right ear, adding a small bit of barbarism to his otherwise civilized mien. He drew more than one look from the other women and she found it fascinating that he singled her out frequently.

Micah’s face flushed beet red, but his face couldn’t hide his obvious amusement at her comment. She might have won the round, but the game was far from over, a game he fully planned on winning. These women were their partners in this experiment and he had already decided that Geena would be his and from the looks she was returning, she wasn’t offended by the idea.

Jonas watched their interplay with some concern. He suspected there might already be some tentative matchmaking among the group, but he had hoped to avoid that until longer into the operation. He would keep his eyes open in case any difficulties popped up, but there was only so much he could do. The rest was up to each team member.

“By the way,” Brett, another of the Black Ops team, interposed, “will we end up exactly in the same time as Nathan, or what’s going to happen?”

“That’s a good question.” His brow furrowing, Jonas realized he hadn’t considered the possibility that they could end up in some other historical period. “I’m going to have to check with Miles on that one. There wouldn’t be much reason to go back if we miss Nathan by 100 years or so either way.” He wouldn’t put it past Miles to miscalculate; the fat weasel couldn’t be trusted as far as Jonas could throw his butt. Bringing Bethany into the picture was beginning to sound better and better all the time. Bethany might seriously object to sending the team through, but all he had to do was mention Nathan and he was pretty sure she would commit to the endeavor. Getting access to her personal files might be a problem, but there were other ways to track her whereabouts if that failed. He might even do another “persuasion” session on Miles to see if he knew where she was. That possibility definitely had its merits. Miles needed another session soon if things didn’t progress any faster than they were and Jonas was just the man to do it right.

“Brett, get on the mainframe and see if you can access Bethany’s private files. I think its time we brought her back.” Brett nodded, and hurried off. He had been a tech specialist with Black Ops and if anyone could get in, Brett could. Besides being a technical genius, he was tough son-of-a-gun and would be invaluable as a warrior in another reality.

Alicia, a fellow tribeswoman, stepped up. “I’ll help. I have a lot of computer experience and I might just have some ideas.” Jonas nodded his approval, watching her exit. With both of them working on the problem, the chances of success were substantially improved. Alicia was a last minute recruit, but the more he discovered about her, the more he was impressed with her calm, no nonsense attitude. Older than most of the other females, she had been selected because of her skill as a healer. She was stately more so than beautiful, but she had the sort of looks that were timeless. Her black eyes and long silken hair made Jonas’ hands itch. She had fit easily into the team and was fast becoming the leader of the other female members when decisions had to be made.

Knowing that it would only be a matter of time before Brett and Alicia had the information he needed, he decided to harass Miles again. He didn’t really need to, but he kind of enjoyed watching fat boy squirm! Strolling across the quadrant, he entered the main facility and made his way to the lab. Miles was bent over the computer, muttering to himself while furiously inputting data. Jonas tapped on the desk to draw his attention. Miles looked up and froze when he saw Jonas’ solid form.

“What are you doing here again?” Miles’ fat chin quivered, a spot of lunch pasted below his lower lip.

“Just checking. Anything new?”

“No, and I already told you it would take some time to finalize these computations.” Miles bent back over his computer, refusing to acknowledge Jonas further.

“I think you’ve had enough time. I think you already have the calculations and you’re just stalling.” Jonas moved slowly around the desk, giving Miles time to nervously question his intentions. “I’ve decided to bring Bethany back. Where is she?”

Miles snorted. “Bethany won’t help you!”

“Oh, but she will! She would do anything for Nathan and we are the answer to her deepest desire—to make a new life for Nathan.” He pulled out his bone-handled knife, scraping it along his arm, near enough for Miles to see the shaved space.

“Bethany would never allow all of you to go. She’s too careful.”

“Not careful enough; or you wouldn’t still be here.” Jonas waited, allowing Miles to consider his options.

Miles’ shoulders sagged in defeat. “She’s in Philadelphia, attending a seminar or conference or something. But she won’t help you. Her career would be over if she did.”

Jonas pressed. “We both know her career’s over anyway. You told me yourself there was no more funding and who’s going to hire a has-been time travel expert? Scientists who fail are a dime a dozen.”

“We didn’t fail!” Angry now, Miles lost his inherent caution. “We succeeded! And it would have been a major scientific discovery if we had just a little more time.”

“That’s what you keep telling me—you just need more time! Well, guess what, time’s up. Where is the conference?”

“I told you! It’s in Philadelphia, probably at the university. If not, someone can direct you to the right place. She always leaves a number there where she can be reached. Now can I continue or do you plan on standing there and harassing me longer?”

Interesting. Miles was finally showing a little backbone. Must be something he was hiding and it was Jonas’ opinion that people always fought harder if they had something to hide. Turning to Miles’ guard, he instructed, “Watch him closely. If you think he’s pulling something, shoot him.” The guard saluted smartly, his weapon in readiness.

Miles’ eyes widened as his jaw fell open. “You can’t mean that,” he sputtered. “Bethany will need my help if and when she does come back!”

“Never think you aren’t replaceable,” Jonas drawled, “just remember that.” Laughing to himself, Jonas exited the lab. Fat boy was so easy to torment.

Miles watched him go, hate welling up in red waves, his hands shaking with emotion. Damn Jonas! I’ll make you suffer, he silently vowed. All he needed was a little more time and Jonas and his group of miscreants would be out of his life forever, then he could leave this desolate place and head to Mexico. A bank account stuffed with funding he had misappropriated from the facility waited while he languished here. Visions of a sandy beach and dark skinned young women in skimpy thongs flashed through his mind, calming him and giving him purpose.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The first signs of spring were dotting the landscape. Snowdrifts were decreasing with each day and the temperature outside the shelter was rising little by little. The frozen sheet covering the river began to break up and great chunks of ice spun drunkenly in the increased flow of the spring runoff. Flocks of birds began arriving, and small plants pushed their way through to the sun’s warmth.

Riley looked forward to the changing of the season. Being cooped up in the shelter was beginning to wear on all of them and the prospect of being outside more often was an exciting, if uncertain, one. Riley loved spring, but having little experience in the ways of the world 40,000 years ago, she didn’t know what to expect. How long would summer last, what new dangers would they face with the advent of warmer weather, what would they need to accomplish during that time, and could she finally wear shorts, and if so, how was she going to shave her legs?

As they were spending more time outdoors, and with the reality that more predators would be roaming the countryside due to the escalating migration of the flocks and herds, Nathan’s vigilance and safety measures increased. He had a small “family” to take care of now and he was more safety conscientious than ever. Riley was finding his fussiness oftentimes irritating and unwarranted. She was perfectly capable of keeping a lookout for herself, but Nathan was unwilling to allow her that concession.

Out of necessity, and on a daily basis, they worked on survival techniques, including toning her combat skills, food identification and gathering, and the basics to identify spoor and track game. Her botany/biology background was piqued by the prospect of tracking and food gathering, believing those were areas in which she could make a substantial contribution. As the snow pack receded, more and more plant life emerged. She was able to identify various genetic groups but a lot of the plant life was new and unusual.

Lambing season commenced and Nathan’s little flock increased twofold. He built a small holding pen outside the stable cave and allowed the animals time each day to enjoy the sunshine. During those times, he and Demon stood guard, watchful for any predators that might find his little flock easy prey. Large tracks had been found in the muddy areas near the enclosure on more than one occasion and Nathan was certain his flock had been targeted for some future feeding foray.

Riley ventured out alone for small hikes, mindful of keeping the cave in view. Memories of being lost in the snow and her increased knowledge of the fauna of the region kept her from straying too far. As she grew more accustomed to the surrounding area, her nervousness decreased, but her wariness remained on alert. Each time she was out, hairs tingled on the back of her neck, and she had the uncomfortable feeling she was being watched. Nathan was always within calling distance if she left the shelter and if he was not, he made sure she was safe in the shelter before he left. He was like having a vigilant and watchful mother—only with tight buns!

Riley sighed. Yes, he did have tight buns along with all the other interesting parts of his body. She had not made an attempt to touch him since that one very cold night; temptation was too great and she didn’t want to be the one to cause any strain on their budding relationship. Friendship was always the easier path and in view of the fact that she would be here a long time, being friends was paramount to their existence.

Today was a beautiful day for a short walk. As she walked, a small niggling desire to step over the line chipped at her conscious. After all, she reasoned, who else was there for either of them? Meandering slowly through the natural borders surrounding their rock shelter, Riley’s mind drifted onto pleasant thoughts of interesting ways to accomplish that little maneuver. Brazen and bold were not her way, nor had they ever been. Subtle and sexy! Yeah, that was her, or could be under the right circumstances. With no one else for comparison and given that Nathan had been alone for five years, it went without saying that she could accomplish that quite easily, unless of course he was gay or something, but he spent too many long moments watching her and it was pretty obvious that his body was interested.

Blushing at the thought, she returned to the present, as her nerve endings began tingling. Somewhere, something was following and watching again. Realizing she had ventured farther than was prudent, cautiously she turned and, hoping to give the impression she was unconcerned, casually started back, keeping both eyes glued to the surrounding areas.

An unnatural silence goaded her into speeding up. Feeling as though the forest were laying in wait, she scurried back to the open area near the shelter.

“Nathan!” she called hysterically. “Nathan!”

From the direction of the animal pens, Nathan and Demon ran into view. Nathan’s face was twisted with alarm but relaxed when he caught sight of her. Demon skidded to a halt, his head tilted questioningly.

Embarrassed by her show of nervousness, she stammered, “I...I thought something was stalking me. I could just feel it.” Suddenly cold, she rubbed her arms to warm them. “It got too quiet, not like it usually is.”

Demon froze, hackles rising as he caught the scent of something untoward. Growling low his chest, the dog’s gaze was focused on the forested area where Riley had been. Nathan glanced around. Everything seemed fine, but he had been here too long to always believe what he saw, and Demon’s attitude told a different story. “Let’s get inside. Never hurts to be cautious.”

“What about your animals?”

“They’re fine. I penned them up already. I was just starting back when I heard you yell. You scared me!” He rolled the huge rock back into place as he spoke.

With the entrance blocked, some of Riley’s nervousness left. “It was just so weird. All of a sudden, it got really quiet, like everything knew something was going to happen. Made me really nervous.”

“We’re safe now. I’ll go out and check in a little while just to be sure.”

“Do you have to go out today? Maybe you’d better wait until tomorrow. That’ll give whatever it was time to leave.” Her eyes were huge, the irises dilating with emotion.

Not wanting to alarm her any further, Nathan conceded, commenting softly, “Okay, just for you. Tomorrow’s fine. There isn’t much daylight left anyway.” A warm grin wreathed his lips, his eyes soft and compelling. “We can have an early dinner and relax for a change. We’ve been working way too hard lately.”

A small flutter tickled Riley’s stomach, her mind’s eye visualizing the possibilities, fraught with anticipation. “Great! But tonight I’m doing the cooking. I am a fantastic cook, you know.”

“Are you?” he teased. “Then why have I been slaving over meals every day.”

Riley laughed. “I hardly think cooking the same thing day in and day out qualifies as ‘slaving’.”

“It’s edible,” he retorted, “and you’re still alive, aren’t you?”

“I am, but I have some ideas on something new and exciting.” Waggling her eyebrows, she marched ahead into the living quarters of the shelter, banging kitchen utensils around in a show of competence.

“Well, if you’re really serious about doing the cooking, I’m going to relax, have a shower and clean up.”

Riley could hear him undressing and whistling as he moved about. Glancing up, she hesitated as he stepped into the kitchen wearing nothing but a towel.

“Uh, I forgot the hot water.” Sheepishly, he reached for a bowl. At the same time, Demon decided it was time to play and made a grab for the towel, pulling it off and running for the back room. Abashed, Nathan stood there in all his glory, uncertain what to do, his face reddening in confusion.

Riley calmly regarded him. His arms, upper torso, and legs retained some of last summer’s tan. Below his waist, his skin was pale; a V of dark hair covered the juncture of his thighs, where his masculinity hung heavy and full. Turning away, matter-of-factly, Riley began ladling hot water into a wooden bucket. “Nice tan,” she commented dryly as she handed him the water. “Did you teach the dog that little trick?”

Nathan coughed in embarrassment, retreating to the back room, using the bucket as a shield. “Uh, no,” he choked, “surprisingly enough, that’s the first time he’s done that.”

Grinning, Riley watched his retreat, enjoying the view. The guy had one seriously great butt and combined with his muscular back and legs, it was a show worth watching. Her earlier thoughts returned. What would he actually do if she threw herself at him? It wasn’t like he had any place else to go if she had him cornered. Chuckling in amusement, she threw herself into making dinner, adding the fresh greens she had harvested during her walk. Dinner was almost finished when Nathan entered the kitchen again, his hair damp and curling around his ears. A slight blush still colored his cheeks and he avoided looking her in the eye.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Nathan, it’s not like I haven’t ever seen a naked man before. Sheesh! Relax, your manhood is safe with me.”

His face coloring even darker, Nathan tried miserably to explain. “I know, but it’s been over five years since anyone other than the dog was around to see me and I don’t want to scare you off.”

Her eyes twinkling devilishly, Riley pushed a few more of his buttons. “Well, you have a great body, so quit worrying about it. I enjoyed the view. Next time, give me a little more warning so I can prepare myself. You know, like pop some popcorn or buy some Raisinets and try for a front row seat.”

Nathan burst out laughing. Her silliness wiped away the last of his embarrassment and concern. Warmed by her sense of humor, he relaxed, prepared to enjoy the remainder of the evening. Dinner smelled wonderful and his stomach growled in response. Demon crept back in, his attitude guilty and pleading forgiveness. Nathan scowled at him. “Forget it Mutt, you’re in the doghouse tonight. You’re lucky I’m even letting you stay inside.”

Demon crouched, whimpering, his tail between his legs, his eyes dripping remorse. Riley reached over, patting him on the head. “Good boy! You were a good boy!” she crooned. “Mommy needed some entertainment!” Demon sat down, his head on her lap, his tail thumping the floor, happy to be forgiven.

“Traitor!” Nathan scolded him. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

His head unmoving, Demon regarded him from the safety of Riley’s lap. To his mind, as long as he had the favor of the dominant female, he was protected.

Home, such as it was, was here in this little corner of the ancient world. Though she seemed unaware of it, Nathan had been courting Riley in his own way for awhile. He was rusty at the game, but technique was returning. At least she was comfortable around him now and perhaps in the future…

Riley stood up to put food on the table and fill the bowls. Nathan took an exploratory bite. It was delicious! Same old food, but whatever she had done made all the difference. He gobbled his food as fast as the dog and reached out for more. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had prepared a meal for him and a lump formed in his throat. Even Emily hadn’t cooked, her talents lay elsewhere. He appreciated those talents, but Emily’s face was getting harder to remember every day. Instead, Riley’s fresh, open countenance came to mind

His mind drifted, reflecting on the important women in his life. Aunt Bethany came to mind, but he quickly dismissed her from his musing. She had overstepped her boundaries and he was perturbed with her right now.

Emily’s sweet face came to mind and a pang of grief shot through him. Emily had been his first true love and he still missed her every day, a part of him always would.

Lately, though, the pain had lessened and he suspected Riley was the reason. Riley and Emily were as different as the night was to the day. Emily had been the night—restful, mysterious, quiet. Riley was the day—bright, cheerful, loud, and full of new surprises just waiting to be discovered. Good old Aunt Bethany knew exactly what she was doing when she selected Riley. He still hadn’t forgiven Aunt Bethany her audacity, but he was beginning to appreciate her choice.

Riley was the perfect companion, becoming a big part of his life in a very short time. The idea of losing her scared him and just realizing that made him very nervous. It had been hard enough being alone, and after her welcome intrusion, he doubted he could ever live that way again. Simply put, he would do whatever necessary to keep her here and safe.

“I said—do you have any idea what might have been out there?” Riley’s voice broke through his reverie.

“What? Uh, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. I was thinking about something.”

“I figured that out,” she grinned. “The food isn’t that good.”

“Yeah, actually, it is. Maybe you would like to take over that chore?” He somewhat hopefully tossed out.

Riley regarded him cautiously before answering, her eyes narrowing in speculation. “What about those times when I don’t feel like cooking? Don’t expect me to take over doing only the ‘womanly’ chores. I am, after all, a botanist and cooking won’t take up that much of my time, anyway.”

“I can still pitch in, but you’re definitely a much better cook.”

Since she liked to cook, taking over that chore wasn’t going to be an imposition. In fact, she looked forward to the opportunity and, although doing the cooking was not a huge contribution, she at least would be contributing something. Up to now, she had the feeling she was mostly useless, just an added burden on Nathan. Not that he had ever insinuated such, but it would be nice to have some purpose in their small group.

“Okay,” she agreed. “It’s settled then. I’ll cook and help with cleaning, that sort of thing, but I also want to help with other things as well.”

Nodding in agreement, Nathan was more than pleased she was amenable to the job. Giving away the cooking detail was no hardship. Sighing in contentment, his stomach full to bursting, Nathan couldn’t remember when he last had such a good meal. Maybe it had been that night at the Le Cirque in New York City before he went on the last Ops mission. Now that food had been excellent, but fancier than he liked. He was a meat and potatoes man and though he could cook, he did not perform with any degree of imagination or finesse. That night was also the last time he saw Emily alive. She had been so worried about his leaving and, to distract her, he had taken her out on the town, food, wine, dancing; the whole schlemiel. It was a good memory, one that he treasured.

“So what do you think was outside, she asks again?” Riley arched her eyebrows in query.

“Probably just some animal looking for an easy dinner. I’ll check for sure in the morning. Should be plenty of tracks around if there was anything.” Unless a concerted effort had been made, covering tracks in the moist ground would not be an easy task and animals just didn’t make that sort of effort.

He watched as Riley began cleaning up, her movements quick and efficient. The soft light of the few candles strewn around the room gently kissed her face, their glow reflecting in her eyes. Deep inside, an ache started to grow. It had been so long! He mentally devoured her, envisioning everything he would like to do, beginning with stripping off the ugly leathers she wore every day.

Riley glanced over, her smile freezing as she focused on his face. Startled by the unmasked lust in his gaze, she dropped her eyes in confusion, wiping the table briskly to cover her uneasiness. Heat suffused her in response to his unveiled longing, her heart thumped so fast she had trouble breathing. Finished wiping the table, she turned away, her hands shaking as hot desire raced through her. She had never felt so alive and wanted before, nor had she ever wanted a man as fully as she did right at this moment.

Nathan stood, pushing the chair back and advanced slowly, taking his time and enjoying the sensation of the predator stalking his prey. Riley stood facing the sideboard, gripping the edge, waiting, as electricity sparked between them. The room was suddenly too warm. He stood behind her, almost touching, but unmoving, relishing her womanly scent and the gentle warmth emanating from her form. The heavily laden silence was broken only by the breath she exhaled in one long sigh. Chestnut hair tied back in one long braid spilled down Riley’s back. Nathan’s hands throbbed with the urge to release the silken threads and run his fingers through the soft tresses.

She turned, braced against the sideboard, her eyes seeking his, warmly questioning. “Do you need something?” She whispered, aroused by his nearness.

“I need a lot of things,” he whispered back, his finger tracing the gentle contours of her face.

“And they are...?” Riley’s face flamed under his ministrations.

Unsmiling, his eyes deepened to almost black. “Things that aren’t important right now.” His hand continued its soft exploration. He leaned down, nuzzling her ear then dipping lower, his lips softly caressing the graceful line of her neck. Her head fell back, her lips parting as she gasped, liquid fire racing through every vein.

Panting, she tried for some measure of control. “What is important?”

His lips continued their soft assault. “This minute—right now.” He claimed her mouth with his own, parting her lips and plunging into the hot depth, wrapping himself around her, needing her to feel as he was feeling.

Riley’s arms lifted of their own accord, unable to deny the desire that coursed through her veins. Nathan’s expertise in the art of seduction was all too evident and she was a willing recipient. The kiss deepened and Riley was lost to everything, but wanting more, her lips moving in response, enticing him with her acceptance of his onslaught.

Nathan drew reluctantly back, planting another quick kiss as he did. “I just wanted to say ‘thanks’ for the wonderful dinner.”

“That’s how you say ‘thank you’?” Her heart was still racing wildly and Riley was finding it hard to speak intelligently.

“Just thought I should show my appreciation. Actions speak better than words, or so I’ve heard—something like that.” He studied her flushed face, concentrating on the small nuances flickering across each expressive feature.

Riley stepped around him, needing space while she fought for control. “I have to say that’s the first time anyone has shown me appreciation in quite that way. I think I’ve been deprived up to now.”

Smiling lazily, his eyes smoky in the pale light, Nathan watched her retreat, overwhelmingly pleased with her response. He hadn’t lost his touch yet! Might be a little rusty, but he was remembering. Like riding a bike, you just have to get back on. He hadn’t trained as a Black Ops operative for nothing. It was all in the meticulous preparation and precise execution for the ultimate success of a mission. Winning Riley’s heart was his eventual goal. All he needed was time and it appeared as though time was not going to be a problem.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Demon whined, drawing his attention. The dog moved to the door of the shelter, wanting a last minute run. Nathan led him out, taking time to tie a short leash on to prevent his running too far from the cave opening. Still uneasy about the unknown visitor, he wasn’t taking any chances with any of his charges. By now, darkness had fallen, the temperature dropping quickly. Though spring was upon them, the nights were still long and cold.

Demon marked a nearby bush, sniffing the air for intruders. Nathan trusted Demon’s ability to sense any threats and right now the dog seemed unconcerned, taking his time and inspecting every plant and rock within his limited space.

Nathan’s eyes lifted to the heavens. The night sky was lit by a million stars, no smog or reflected lights dampened their brilliance. The quiet was unlike anything modern man could ever experience or appreciate, and he was awed by its grandeur. Nothing he had ever experienced in his earlier lifetime could even remotely compare to the untouched beauty of his surroundings.

Being alone for so long had insulated him against the uniqueness of his life, but seeing everything again through Riley’s eyes, he was gratified anew by the chance to experience such wonders. Finished with his exploration and marking territory, Demon allowed Nathan to lead him back to the warmth and safety of the cave.

During their brief absence, Riley had retreated to the sleeping area and was readying herself for bed. He could hear the water splashing as she showered and he longed to join her there. Tempting visions of her naked flashed through his mind, his tenuous control slipping as he listened. Forgetting his earlier resolve to proceed with caution, he forged ahead. The water stopped just as he stepped through the door. The graceful line of her damp posterior glistening with water droplets drew his immediate focus. Startled, Riley turned, clutching a small towel for cover. Her face mirrored her surprise at his intrusion. He had been more than circumspect to this point, never overstepping the bounds of propriety.

Nathan stood there, unable to think clearly, drinking in the sight of her, his blood beginning to boil. The taste of her still lingered on his lips. It had been far too long since he had made love to a woman, too long since he had even touched a woman. Without conscious thought, the distance between them disappeared. He was close enough that he could smell her clean woman scent, see each tendril of auburn hair curling from the steam of the shower. She stood there, frozen, her large eyes questioning and mysterious.

He reached out, softly stroking the curve of her neck, down the softness of her arm, his fingertips lightly touching the swell of her breast. She stiffened, but other than that slight move, she remained motionless as he continued his exploration. Sexual tension ignited. He stepped even closer, reaching up to pull her hair loose from the haphazard bun at the top of her head. Glorious auburn hair fell in a thick veil, framing her face. She shuddered as his fingers glided through the soft mass, intensely aware of him as never before, her breath coming in small gasps. The small towel no longer separated them and he pressed fully against her, his lips claiming hers in a powerful embrace. Time stood still. He could feel her thundering heartbeat as her breath quickened in response, melting against him. Primitive lust raged. Stepping back, his eyes traveled down.

Nathan groaned. “Lord, woman” he breathed. “I’m not a monk! You’re so damned tempting—my body has a mind of its own when you’re near.”

He had only guessed at what her loose clothing covered—and his imagination could not have measured up to the real thing. Riley’s form was sculpted for the caress of a lover. Long slender legs molded upward into flaring hips and a waist so small, he was sure he could span it with his hands. His eyes were drawn to her generous breasts, thrusting and proud, the rose colored nipples hardening under his heated perusal.

Cupping her face in his large warm hands, he studied her face carefully, as if memorizing every line. Riley tensed, arching her back and tilting her face upward, wanting his touch. Softly and delectably, his lips settled on hers, eliciting feelings never before experienced. Her lips parted in response, welcoming his invasion. The kiss deepened, tongues entwining in the age old dance of life and pure, unadulterated lust. Nothing defined where Riley left off and Nathan began, and it was as though they were melded together as one.

Riley’s head reeled. Nothing invaded her conscious thought but the nearness of this male. She felt as though she were spinning down a wondrous warm tunnel, apart from the physical world, where only Nathan existed. She was his and he claimed her. Nothing else mattered. Unable to control himself, he forced her back to the bed, his tongue probing deep in imitation of the act of sex.

Whimpering with longing, she grappled with his leggings, wanting his naked body against her, damning the leather thong that wouldn’t cooperate. Her fingers worked the tie loose and, hooking her toes in his waistband, she shoved the offending leggings down.

A small chuckle escaped Nathan’s lips. “You’re pretty limber, aren’t you?”

“I was a pretty good gymnast once,” she acknowledged, giggling. Her hands found him, amazed and delighted by his size. He groaned, pushing against her, hunger igniting beyond control. Her senses flamed, his merest touch sent tingling shivers of passion through every vein. Her body came alive with feeling, every pore alive with emotion. This man—this moment—everything she had waited for all her life!

Nathan groaned, pulling back. “I hadn’t planned on this happening yet. Much as I want to, now isn’t the time.”

Riley caught herself, stifling the urge to continue, embarrassed by her uncontrolled response, at the same time understanding his reticence.

Without a doubt, the temptation to force the issue was enormous! Physically, she was ready to advance their relationship, but mentally was another matter, and half-measures weren’t enough. The comfortable relationship they had now worked for both of them and if it became something more, she’d damn well better be ready.

Expelling a deep breath, she conceded reluctantly that living alone with a male, and a very sexy and interesting one at that, had its problems; the first being that it had been a long time since she had allowed herself to engage in any sort of male/female entanglement. She just hadn’t had the time or the inclination. Nathan was most definitely an “inclination” and time didn’t even factor in. Granted, Nathan wasn’t the type to exert pressure and for that she was grateful. But adjusting to the whole time travel thing expended a lot of emotional energy and Riley just didn’t have the fortitude to endure more than one disturbing situation at a time.

Reluctantly, she rolled aside, her face flaming. He was right—now was not the time.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jonas groaned in frustration. Day after day, they waited for Miles to finish his calculations, but it didn’t appear that he was any closer now than he had been at the start. Bethany’s whereabouts had been located, but how did they get her to return? He mulled over his possible options, and decided the best bet was a frontal attack. Getting her attention would be the first step and then give her something to gnaw on. Using Miles as the bait was the perfect choice. Bethany had never made any bones about her contempt for the man and only continued to work with him because he kept his mouth shut about Nathan. Thinking it over, Jonas concocted the perfect cover story—Miles was using the facility and conducting experiments without her approval or control—the one thing Dr. Collins would never allow. Simple, but effective. Time to ring her up and dangle the bait.

Bethany answered on the second ring.

“Professor Collins? This is Jonas Whitehorse, security at the facility.”

“Jonas! How nice to hear from you. Is something wrong?”

Jonas paused for effect, his voice dripping with concern. “I just thought I should call you. Something strange is going on up here.”

“What do you mean, strange?”

“Well, it was my understanding that the facility was to shut down shortly after you left, but Miles seems to be working on something and I’m not able to access the files to see what it is.” He waited, giving her time to assess the situation.

“Well, of course it was supposed to be shut down!” she exclaimed. “It should have been done weeks ago! Why didn’t you call me sooner?” She sounded alarmed and aggravated. Perfect!

“It wasn’t until lately that I’d begun to suspect something wasn’t above board. He ordered me to keep the facility powered up and security tight. I’m pretty concerned about the situation.”

He waited for her expected response. “Put me through to his line,” she demanded.

This was the best part of the story. “I wish I could, but he has made it impossible for me to access his phone line. We aren’t allowed in and he doesn’t want anyone interfering.”

“Maybe I should try to call him directly?” She was really beginning to sound agitated.

“You could try, but like I said, he’s made it almost impossible to contact him.” Jonas tried to sound tentative and confused, though he could tell she was already jumping.

“Maybe I should just come up there?” Clearly his tactics were working.

“Do you really think that’s necessary?” A tiny smile tweaked his lips.

“Of course it’s necessary. That big pile of crap! I should have known he wouldn’t follow orders. How long has this been going on?”

“Since shortly after you left.” Adding unnecessarily but for effect, “I kept thinking he was finishing up, but it never happened.”

“I knew I couldn’t trust him! Why did I ever think I could? I’ll be on the first flight back. Can you meet me at the airport?” She was chomping at the bit and Jonas had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing out loud.

“Sure, no problem. Just let me know what time and I’ll be there.” Mission completed. “I really appreciate you taking care of this. I didn’t know what else to do.”

She almost screeched. “Miles is going to be the sorriest son-uv-a-bitch on the face of this earth when I get there.”

Good, even better. Not only was she alarmed, she was downright furious. Miles wouldn’t stand a chance and maybe, just maybe, the calculations would be finalized and they could get on with the mission.

“I’ll call you just before I fly out.” She was sounding calmer but definitely still irritated. “I can’t believe that man—just meet me at the airport. I’ll take care of this personally.” With that, she slammed down the phone. Jonas burst out laughing. Her ego couldn’t handle being undermined by Miles, whether he was doing so or not, and Jonas had counted on that flaw in her personality to goad Bethany into returning. He guessed she would be there in the morning, or even later today if possible.

Yep, with Bethany on her way back, it was only a matter of time before the team departed for the adventure of a lifetime. He hesitated for a split second, but only for a split second.

For the first time, he fully realized that his next steps would indelibly alter his life and the lives of his team members. This was not just another mission; it was the start of a new life, existing far beyond the parameters previously experienced by any of them and none could begin to fully understand the changes they might be forced to make to survive until they had actually faced the unknown. Shaking off the pessimistic thoughts, he shrugged his shoulders, calmly accepting the inevitable. Life was full of changes and he embraced them willingly.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Nathan studied the ground, noting carefully each small clue leading to the unknown visitor’s identity. No animal had made these imprints and they were not the imprints of the others. They were human, evidencing a noticeable arch to the instep and narrower in structure, not like the wider, flat-footed prints made by the others. Although most Neanderthal males were typically five feet six inches or less, these had been made by a much taller individual, the strides were longer and less heavily indented. He had discovered the first prints well outside the vicinity of the shelter, but near enough to believe this definitely was the unknown visitor of the night before.

He tracked the prints for awhile, moving away from the shelter towards the north and the cliff that overlooked the encampment of the others. Whoever it was, they had stayed there for some time, sitting and even laying down while keeping watch. He found only one set of prints, which led Nathan to believe the individual was perhaps a scout for some larger group.

He followed the tracks down the incline towards the east until they disappeared in the rocky area near the river. Not wanting to encounter any of the others without his prosthesis, he hurried back before he was discovered. Aunt Bethany’s map speculated that there were perhaps Cro-Magnons in the area, but this was the first time he had encountered anything to corroborate her assumption.

What little he had garnered about Cro-Magnons before his arrival here indicated they were much more aggressive than the Neanderthals, even to the point of possibly being cannibalistic. He rather hoped that was not the case.

He and Riley had discussed the possibility of finding a friendly tribe and joining them, solely on the basis of long-term survival, but he wanted to be sure about the group before making contact. Consciously, or unconsciously, they both knew that if any children were born to them, they needed the contact. Wouldn’t do, though, to get eaten in the meantime! Better warn Riley. A closer watch needed to be kept for awhile in case the lone visitor was on more than just a simple reconnaissance mission. Once again, he silently damned Aunt Bethany for putting Riley into this situation.

Riley was anxiously waiting Nathan’s return, pacing the shelter while Demon whined at the door. Nathan had opted to go alone, not wanting Demon’s tracks to muddle the picture. He had been gone so long—most of the day—and she was to the point where she was about to go crazy when she heard the outside entrance open. Relief flooded through her, causing her knees to buckle when Nathan came through the shelter door.

“What took so long?” She couldn’t hide the anxiety in her voice and she sounded angry even to her ears.

“Eh, sorry,” he apologized, surprised by her vehemence. “I didn’t realize I had been gone so long. Took a lot of time tracking and I wanted to be sure no one else was near us.” He pulled off his outer coat, tossing it onto a chair and sat down heavily. Consternation creased his face and she could tell he was worried.

“I found tracks of a lone human, probably a scout for some larger group. I didn’t see any others, but there would be absolutely no reason for a lone person to be out here.”

“Do you think it was one of the others?” Riley couldn’t believe that anyone else might be here.

“It wasn’t one of them. I could tell by the tracks. I’ve seen enough of theirs to know the difference. These were definitely human.” He didn’t look happy.

“Isn’t that good news?” She was excited by the discovery—it was just what they had talked about.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll have to hold my opinion until I know more. We don’t know what kind of people they are—if they’re friendly or not, and I’m not taking any chances with our safety.”

“Well, maybe they are just passing through and don’t want any trouble.”

The whole thing just didn’t set well with him. He had been a soldier for too long not to trust his feelings and his sixth sense told him something was wrong. His feeling of unease deepened. He might have to scout farther just to satisfy himself.

CHAPTER TWENTY

A few days later, in the early hours of the evening, Nathan found more unidentified prints in the outlaying area near the shelter. It was obvious from the amount of the prints that there were at least five plus individuals in the scouting party. Once again, the prints followed a path overlooking the others’ encampment, and then disappeared in the rocky area near the river. The discovery of the new footprints followed too closely to the earlier set to be merely a coincidence.

Nathan presumed the lone traveler had returned to a larger group and they, in turn, had returned to investigate. None of the prints approached the cave shelter and his little group seemed to be safe for the time being. Nathan’s unease grew considerably by the discovery. This new group wasn’t here by accident. The others’ encampment, occupying a choice position, easily defensible and surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and foodstuffs, seemed to be their focal point of interest.

The unknown visitors were scrutinizing the others’ encampment a little too closely for comfort if they were just passing through, and if they weren’t, he suspected it would be just a matter of time before their motives became apparent. He debated warning the others, but how to accomplish that? He couldn’t speak to them and, in any event, they avoided him for good reason. There just didn’t seem to be an easy answer. While he had some slight interest in contacting this new group for his and Riley’s future well-being, he didn’t want to ally himself on the side of the bad guys, if this new group were the bad guys. He had no way of knowing one way or the other what kind of people this new group was and until he knew for certain, approaching them was not an option. He decided to wait a few days and see if anything further developed. If they were just passing through, there was no good reason to stir the waters.

Demon tensed, a deep rumbling growl echoing from his chest. Instinctively, Nathan crouched down, signaling the dog to be quiet. Demon’s attention was directed at the line of trees to the west and it was in that direction that Nathan concentrated his visual search. Limbs snapped and broke as the unknown ones passed through. From the sounds they made, it was more than just one. They appeared overly confident and made no effort to cover the sounds of their passing.

The hair on the back of Nathan’s neck stood on end and goose bumps formed on his flesh. Minutes ticked by as they silently watched, waiting for the unknown ones to show themselves. The usual sounds of the forest were still, as though the trees themselves kept their movements under surveillance. His breath held in anticipation, eyes glued to the forest, readying himself for battle, praying that Riley was safe in the shelter. One of the individuals laughed boisterously as they stepped into the open. Nathan rushed to still Demon as he made to attack. They came into the open, one by one, until ten or more stood in the open area near the tree line. They must have circled around the others’ encampment and made their way back here for whatever purpose.

Nathan got his first glimpse of Cro-Magnon man. Long dirty hair hung from their heads, some wore partial braids in which feathers and other ornaments were woven in while others sported makeshift headbands. Paint in hues of blue, ocher and black smeared their faces and crudely done tattooing covered their upper bodies. Greasy, poorly tanned animal skins covered their loins, barely concealing their manhood. They were taller than the others and definitely more humanoid, but more aggressive and brutal in their mannerisms. From his crouched position, Nathan could smell their unwashed bodies, the stench overwhelming even from where he and Demon hid in the tall grass. Their apparent unconcern about the possibility of an ambush was evident in their seemingly unguarded movements. Nathan motioned the dog down even further as he followed suit. A mere fifty paces separated them from the group and, unless the group deviated from the direction they were heading, they would discover Nathan and the dog before long.

Nathan was granted a slight reprieve when, instead of proceeding further, the group of men began milling about, relaxing and talking, and from their actions, they were planning on camping here for the night. A fire pit was constructed, wood gathered, and animal carcasses were spitted and left to roast. A few guards were posted, but they were not overly conscientious about keeping watch.

The sun was quickly setting and night would fall soon. Nathan bided his time, waiting for full dark before creeping away. The dog lay tense beside him, muscles bunched in anticipation of battle. Several of the group threw skins on the ground and settled down for the night, while others played some sort of game using bones, reminding Nathan of dice. Laughing and talking, the firelight flickered off their rough, painted faces as they socialized. An older, heavily scarred bruiser periodically stepped to the edge of the camp, staring into the night, perhaps sensing their close proximity. Each time, Nathan held his breath, praying that nothing would alert him to their existence, and each time the individual turned away, seemingly satisfied that nothing lurked in the dark.

Hours later, they were still crouched in the dark as more and more of the group settled down. Finally, only the two guards were moving about and it was time to make good their escape.

Never had Nathan been gone so long and Riley was tearing her hair out in anxiety! Dinner sat ruined on the table and she cursed her inability to act. It was well into the night by now and they still had not returned. Her imagination ran wild. What if they never came back? How would she survive on her own and why would she want to?

Once again, Bethany’s perfidy washed over her. If not for Bethany, she wouldn’t be alone in this place. She would never survive as Nathan had survived! At least Nathan had the dog. She would have nothing but this cave and Nathan’s little flock of animals. Hardly a reason to go on living and, for that matter, how protective could sheep be? Utter terror struck a huge blow. The cave seemed to be closing in as her mind pictured every conceivable monster breaking in and ripping her to shreds. Visions of the huge bear came back to haunt and every sound was the harbinger of disaster. By midnight, she was barricaded in the back room, hiding under Nathan’s bed, a huge knife held protectively in front of her, fully convinced that she would not survive until morning and whatever slimy slithering creatures existed under Nathan’s bed were infinitely preferable to the ones she believed lurked in the outer room. Clutching her knife, her eyes squeezed tightly shut, praying to Nathan for her deliverance, she waited for the end.

Nathan patted the dog and they began the slow process of stealing away. The guards were dozing at the outer rims of the camp, and throaty snores and mutterings drifted from the sleepers. Stealthily, he worked his way along the uneven ground with Demon crawling behind, his nose pressed to Nathan’s crotch—a dog thing he presumed. For one heart-stopping moment, one of the guards sat up, alerted by some unknown reason, only to relax and settle back down. Nathan resumed breathing and they continued their snail’s pace, crawling through the tall grass. The tall grass swished slightly with every movement, but the slight breeze aided in disguising the sounds of their passing. Only by the slight nudges from Demon was he aware that the dog crawled silently behind him.

They inched along through the thick grass and brush, eyes and ears straining to catch even the tiniest whisper of menace. Flying insects converged on them in multitudes and it was only by sheer willpower that Nathan was able to ignore their incessant stinging and biting. Small drops of blood pooled on every patch of uncovered skin, and welts erupted violently from the insects’ venom. In the pale light of the moon’s glow, the backs of Nathan’s hands appeared black by the unqualified numbers of feeding insects, and he wanted nothing more than to slap them violently away.

In the deep dark of the night, Nathan relied almost solely on Demon’s acute senses to alert him to any unforeseen hazards. Guards meandered through the brush, calling softly to each other, casually alert but oblivious to Nathan and Demon’s close proximity. A guard posted outside the perimeters of the camp nearly stepped on Nathan’s hand as he walked the periphery. Freezing in their tracks, Nathan waited breathlessly for the guard to move on. Demon stayed true to Nathan’s training and remained motionless, but tensed in anticipation of attack.

Swiftly deciding that inaction was the best course, Nathan covertly tapped Demon to stay and they silently waited. Sweat dripped in Nathan’s eyes and his knife handle grew slick as his grip tightened in nervous response. After what seemed forever, the guard continued on through the deep brush, unaware that his life had very nearly been forfeit. On and on through the brush and tall grass they crept, until, finally, they were far enough from the invaders’ campsite to rise to a crouching position. Able to move more freely, the distance between them and the outsiders increased twofold. Moving into the relative obscurity of the tree line, Nathan expelled his breath in one long rush, his ravaged lungs dragging in badly needed oxygenated air. They cautiously worked their way back to the shelter, moving in a circling route and backtracking periodically to confuse would-be trackers. Dawn was slowly breaking as the cave entrance came into view.

Nathan made one last sweep of the area before approaching the shelter. Demon danced and bounded ahead, seemingly unconcerned about any unseen threats, and clearly eager to get inside and visit his food bowl. Nathan agreed with him on that one. It had been a long night and he was hungry and exhausted, his skin itching from a thousand insect bites. His face felt lumpy and tender to the touch and, even though he couldn’t see it, he figured he wouldn’t have needed the face prosthesis to blend in with the others right now. Maybe Riley would feel bad enough to take care of him. He grinned at the thought. Oh My God—Riley! He had forgotten Riley! His attention had been so focused on avoiding the newcomers, he had totally forgotten about her! He comforted himself with the thought that she had probably gone to bed and would only now be waking up.

Pushing aside the rock door, he ventured in, taking care to be quiet in the event she was still sleeping. Tiptoeing to the entrance of the sleeping chamber, he was surprised by the barricade haphazardly erected in the doorway. Bits of wood, his small table, rocks and debris covered the opening. Something had really scared her, but he found no evidence of an intruder in the outer area. As he worked his way through the clutter, he mentally composed his apology. He was not used to answering to anyone and he hadn’t stayed out because he wanted to, the circumstances themselves justified his tardiness. Satisfied that she would understand, he broke through the last obstruction, barely ducking in time to avoid a slashing knife from detaching his right ear. Whirling, he faced his attacker, surprise registering as Riley’s stricken face materialized. She halted her attack, the huge knife falling from her fingers, her face paling in recognition, tears streaming from her anguished eyes.

“My God! I almost killed you!” She sobbed. “Where have you been? I thought you were dead! Why didn’t you come back last night?” Chattering in relief, her questions spewed forth fast and furious. Drawing in a deep breath, she made to continue, hesitating as she noticed the bug bites. “What happened to your face? You look like a gargoyle!” She hiccupped.

Ruefully, Nathan gingerly touched his cheek. “I didn’t plan on being out so late and the bugs nearly ate me alive!”

Riley rushed to the pool and brought back a cold wet rag, gently daubing the ruined flesh. “Are you allergic to bug bites?” She continued her careful ministrations, “Maybe I should make a mud poultice.” Shaking his head no, he reached behind and pulled off his tunic. Involuntarily, her eyes were drawn to his smoothly muscled chest and bulging arms. A shot of hot hormones raced through her. Nervously, she turned back to the pool to dowse the rag again. “Why were you gone so long? I was worried sick!”

“I saw more men,” he stated baldly, “and I don’t think we want to make their acquaintance.”

“Why not? What happened?” She began gathering dirt from the back cave area, adding water from the pool and mixing the whole thing with dried herbs. “I thought we wanted to meet up with some of the tribes around here.” Satisfied with her concoction, she forced him to sit and began slathering mud over his hands, face and the back of his neck. “Even your scalp is covered with bites” she exclaimed, reaching for his hair. Nathan jerked away, saving himself from the indignity of a mud wig.

Amazingly, the bites were beginning to feel better, but he didn’t want to imagine how he probably looked. “There,” she sighed, “that should do it. You should know better than to go out after dark. Good grief, even I know that and I’ve only been here a short while.”

“I told you! I didn’t plan on being out. We were coming back and ran into this group and had to hide until we could get away. Took us almost all night. I crawled on my belly for at least a mile!”

“How many were there?”

“I counted at least ten, perhaps more. We were lucky they didn’t see us.”

“Why do you think they’re here?”

Nathan thought about it for a moment. “I think it has something to do with the others’ camp. They just seem too interested in it. All the tracks I found led right to the overhang and some of the tracks have been there for awhile. Right now, they’re camped just below the overhang, out of sight of the others’ camp, and they seem to be watching the others pretty closely. I’ve got a bad feeling they’re going after them.”

“Whatever for?” From Riley’s viewpoint, there wasn’t much the others had worth having.

“Who knows? Maybe because there’s a lot of game around here, it hasn’t been over-hunted. I think the early Cro-Magnon were more mobile than the Neanderthals and from watching them, they seem pretty aggressive. Maybe it’s just the ‘grass is greener on the other side of the hill’ concept.”

“Maybe they’re just passing through and don’t want any trouble.” Nervously, Riley finished slathering mud on Nathan, for which he was eternally grateful. She stepped back and viewed her creation. Nathan looked like the creature from the black lagoon, his eyes gleaming out from the mud mask. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. It was no laughing matter, but he looked so ridiculous!

“You wouldn’t think this was so funny if it was you!” Grumpily he turned away. “Demon and I had the worst night and all you can do is laugh.”

“I’m not laughing at the situation; I’m just enjoying the view. Quit being such a grouch.” She turned away before the grin became a full blown smile.

Demon was whining and scratching at his food bowl and it provided the impetus she needed to leave while she was still on Nathan’s good side. The dog’s nose was also covered in bug bites, but he determinedly fought her attempts to tend to them, making it very clear her attention was not welcome, even growling his displeasure. She finally gave up, filled his bowl and let him alone. Maybe after he ate, he would be easier to handle.

Nathan came in the main area and, without thinking, Riley burst into laughter. The mud had dried to a hard mask and bits and pieces had fallen off, lending him the air of a rotting corpse. His eyes darkened, promising retribution, but he refrained from talking so as to not lose more of the mask.

“Do you think we’re in danger?”

Trying to move his mouth as little as possible, Nathan’s reply was slow and stilted. “Not now. Don’t know, but think we should stay hidden until we know more.”

She nodded. “No reason to tempt fate if they’re just passing through. What about the animals?”

“Go down shortly and check. Going to take down the fence and brush the area and pen them up inside.”

“Yeah! It would be pretty obvious someone was up here if they saw the fence. The animals didn’t pen themselves up. I’m going with you.”

“No! Stay here.” More of the mud fell off, mostly around his mouth. She’d never noticed before what perfectly sensuous lips the man had! Firm and full and made for close encounters. He was still bare from the waist up as well, and wild, wanton thoughts leapt to mind. What would it feel like to run her hands over those beautiful pectorals and have her way with him? Have her way with him? What a silly thing to be thinking about when his face looked like something Demon had dragged in. Mentally shaking herself, she forced herself to focus on his face. But there were those lips again, outlined in mud, but still remarkably sexy.

As if discerning her thoughts, Nathan’s eyes gleamed wickedly, narrowing as he slowly advanced. Her eyes were drawn again to his broad shoulders and muscular chest, lingering on his hard flat nipples. Cornered and unable to escape with her dignity intact, she waited, nervous but excited at the same time. He leaned forward, his lips pressed in a slight smile.

“Are you finished?” His voice came softly.

“Wha—” she stammered, “finished with what?”

“Mentally undressing me? Or would you rather do the real thing?”

Caught in the act, her face flamed in embarrassment. “I wasn’t doing any such thing!! I was merely wondering what you were going to do.”

“Do?” he breathed softly. “I’m going to take a shower. Want to join me?”

Rendered speechless, mental images flashing enticingly through her already stimulated cortex, her mouth dropped open in surprise. “I don’t think so!” She sputtered. “Besides, I had my shower earlier!”

“Really? I thought you were hiding under the bed earlier!” He pulled a twig from one errant curl, and then reached for the bucket and began ladling hot water from the basin. “There’s plenty here for both of us. I don’t mind sharing.”

Traitorously, her mind leaped ahead, visualizing the scenario—his gloriously masculine body glistening under the rush of cascading water, sparkling droplets meandering their way slowly down and around his torso and flowing from each limb. She swallowed convulsively, awkward and uneasy. “I...I think I’d better go do...something,” she finished lamely.

“Suit yourself, but if you change your mind...” He turned away, sinfully pleased by the knowledge that his last comment was wriggling its way into her muddled brain, and thoroughly enjoying her obvious discomfort. Riley’s mind usually worked on a much faster wavelength, but right now, she was floundering.

Demon yipped at her, his head tilted, clearly questioning. “Lot of good you are,” she scolded. “You could at least have done your usual and bit something.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to join me,” Nathan’s voice called from the back room. “The water’s great, temperature’s perfect. You can be on top.” Riley ground her teeth in frustrated desire. “I’ll hold your place,” he teased.

“Don’t bother. I don’t like on top.”

His voice echoed cheerfully. “Or the bottom; makes no difference to me. I’m ambidextrous.”

“How convenient for you.” Beginning to relax without the weight of his stimulating nearness, Riley enjoyed the repartee. “Do you mean to say you can plug in anywhere? I wouldn’t brag about that if I were you.”

Silence from the back room.

“Are you in there?” Riley called softly, giggling in spite of herself.

“I was checking to see how wounded I am.”

“Wounded! What do you mean ‘wounded’?” Guiltily, she ran a quick mental image. Maybe he had been injured while he was scouting the newcomers and she hadn’t noticed.

“By your comment. I was checking to see how far my legs had been cut off. I think you chopped me off at the knees!”

Laughing in spite of herself, Riley had to admit defeat at his one-upmanship. “Your legs are fine—it’s the other parts I’m worried about.”

“Have you been thinking about my other body parts, and if so, which one in particular?”

Riley groaned. “Sheesh! Can’t you think about anything else?”

Nathan stepped through the door, wrapped only in a short piece of felt. “Actually, no! Lately, that’s all I’ve been thinking about—body parts, and not my own.”

Heat crept up Riley’s face, triggering pleasurable responses by its warmth. A tingling sensation began in her fingertips, working its way up her arms and then trickling slowly down her torso, centering in the pit of her stomach. It totally amazed her how just talking to Nathan lately caused her hormonal response to jump at least one hundred and eighty degrees. Even splotched as he was by the insect bites, he was still overpoweringly male and exciting. He was the epitome of masculine beauty, broad shoulders, bulging pecs, long, firmly muscled legs, and a slight furring of hair in all the right places, accentuating his sleek maleness. Maleness which, at this moment, was blatantly obvious!

Studying her face, he looked for rejection, but all he saw was his own desire reflected in her gaze. “I want you, but I want you to feel the same,” he stated bluntly. “And not because you’re the only female within miles—but because there’s something between you and me.”

Riley’s eyes dropped. “I know what you mean. How do we know if what we’re feeling is special or only because there’s no other choice? I want you, too, but what happens afterwards?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, will we continue as always or will this be the next step?” She looked away, fully aware of the ramifications of her question.

“Of course it’s the next step, but if you aren’t ready, or it isn’t what you want, we have plenty of time to work things out.” He stepped back and made to move away, disappointment dripping from his every move, leaving Riley bereft of his comfort.

“You asked me awhile ago if you were my woman. I didn’t answer before because I didn’t really know you, but now that I do, my answer is yes, you are my woman if you’ll have me.” He said it like a marriage proposal and in another life, Riley suspected that’s exactly what it would have been.

“To have and to hold from this day forward?” She questioned hopefully.

Taking a deep breath, Nathan struggled for the right words. “I know this whole thing has really been damnably unfair to you, and I’ve said many times how sorry I am. But in all honesty, I am having a hard time being sorry right now. Right or wrong, having you here has made all the difference to me. I can’t take you back, but I can do my best to make you happy here.”

Riley’s heart constricted pleasurably at his confession. Everything about this man drew her like a magnet. “Let’s take it one step at a time. We both know we’re stuck with each other, and don’t get me wrong—from my point of view, it’s a good thing. Whatever your aunt did, she did it because she loved you. I just happened to be the lucky one she picked.”

Nathan’s eyes twinkled. “You aren’t sorry?”

“Not today! Ask me again in twenty years.” She moved forward until they touched, rubbing against him. “Now where were we?”

Laughing, he picked her up, whirling around. “We were just about to the spot where I was going to seduce you!”

“Are we there yet?”

Nathan stopped spinning, his eyes warm and inviting. “We’re about as close as we going to get without actually doing the dirty deed.”

Riley squirmed, forcing him to put her down and retreating a few steps. Reaching for the hem of her loose leather tunic, she pulled it slowly up and tossed it away, all the while watching Nathan closely. His face hardened perceptibly, eyes narrowing and burning hotly. Trembling slightly and with clumsy fingers, she untied the leather strap holding up her leggings and pushed them from her hips, dropping them to the floor, and stepping daintily back until her legs met Nathan’s cot. Crazily, for a moment, she heartily wished she had spent more time watching adult-rated movies for some inspiration, but gauging from Nathan’s reaction, she was doing pretty well. The small towel hanging from his hips barely covered his bulging manhood. More confident now, she slid out of her panties and lay back on the soft animal furs covering the bed, her eyes never leaving his face.

Sensuously, she ran her hands down her body, over the peaked mounds and continuing down, watching his face, trying to gauge his response. Dropping the towel, he tested her reaction as well. Riley’s eyes widened in surprise—the sheer size of his burgeoning package was much more than she had ever anticipated. He grinned seductively—his perfect lips curved and inviting. “Do you like what you see? Because I can tell you, without equivocation, that the view from here is the best I’ve ever had.”

Unable to think clearly, sexual excitement welled in a hot rush, culminating in a growing ache at the apex of her thighs. Moisture pooled and liquid fire raced through her veins. Need, greater than any she had ever known, welled up. She needed him at the very core of her being—craved him with every lust-filled atom. Conscious thought flew in the face of Nathan’s nearness and the emotions he evoked.

Kneeling on the cot, his eyes glistening mysteriously, he tenderly stroked her legs, gently nudging her knees apart, his long fingers caressing and teasing as they roved upward, cupping her overly sensitive breasts, and massaging lightly. His head dipped, branding the inside of her thigh as his tongue tasted her essence. Riley arched, savoring his touch, moaning with pleasure. His lips continued their upward onslaught, tongue swirling and licking, until every fiber burned with desire. His mouth devoured her lush lips while at the same time, he pressed down, molding his entire length against her, arms braced on either side, possessively trapping her in the circle of his arms. Trailing nips and small bites down her neck, alternating between subtle pain and pleasure, he captured an engorged nipple, his tongue laving it to a heated peak.

Laying full length between her spread legs, Nathan’s hips rocked against her, stimulating a violent response. His mouth was everywhere, while his fingers stroked her most sensitive spots. Nathan’s face swam in her vision—his eyes burning with hot intensity. She felt as though she was drowning in their fiery depths, spiraling down into his molten caramel eyes. She gasped as his engorged member found entry, stroking secret places as he moved, filling her completely and deliciously. Reaching down, he wrapped her long legs around his waist, gaining freer access to her silken sheath. Tremors pulsed along his shaft as he pounded in, groaning as her muscles clenched in response.

Nathan ground into her, over and over again, holding back, waiting for her cry of release, his own pent up emotions and need rampaging uncontrollably. He needed every part of her, wanted her beyond anything ever before. Images flashed through his mind—her skin was the texture of expensive velvet, but firm and smooth, hair the consistency of fine silk. Flipping her over, he entered from behind, forcing her head down and reaching around to rub at her core, laving her nape and back with hot kisses. Over and over again, he kept up the motion, feeling her stiffen, almost to the edge.

Rolling over in one smooth motion, he thrust in again, her muscles convulsing around his engorged member, pulsing with pleasure, as he pushed her further over the edge.

Panting and moaning deliriously, Riley’s head thrashed, desire trembling on the verge of white hot release. Her hands clutched at his taut backside as she bucked wildly against him, urging him on with a passion that, until now, had lain dormant and untapped. She wanted—she didn’t know what she wanted. She only knew that if he stopped, she would die! Running her hands down his back, she grabbed his tight butt, urging him on, gasping as he drove into her.

He tongued the lining of her soft outer ear, delighting as she arched against him, her body tight and throbbing. Small spasms trembled along her sheath, drawing her higher and higher until she exploded, wailing uncontrollably, her cry of abandon echoing in the small room. Nathan plunged deeper, long, hard strokes, pounding over and over until he jerked, stiffening abruptly, his face contorting, moaning as a rush of warm liquid spread down as he came with blinding force. Pulsing waves of ecstasy fused them as one. Gasping, their breath intermingled, they gripped each other while the tremors slowed and then—ceased. Totally replete, Nathan collapsed, spent and drained.

Riley’s breathing settled down and her mind slowly cleared. Nathan’s relaxed weight imprisoned her in a comfortable cocoon. Next time, she decided, she would end up on top. Contented, reveling in his nearness, Riley was reluctant to let him go. Nathan made no move to pull away, only gathering her closer and pressing a soft kiss on her lips. Lethargic, she rested, wanting nothing more than to enjoy this time. Five years alone hadn’t caused his abilities to rust, she silently granted. No “slam, bam, thank you, ma’am” in this room! Her inner thighs were numb and her crotch ached from the exercise. Leisurely, his thumb circled her nipple, as it peaked in response.

Below, his swiftly bulging penis pressed against her again. So soon! “Good grief,” she squeaked, “don’t tell me you’re ready again!”

“I’ve been alone for a long time and as the saying goes,” he paused, “it wasn’t money I was saving up.” Rolling on top of her, eyebrows wagging, he quipped, “How about another deposit?”

Riley laughed, her eyes darkening in response. “Well, it’s not five o’clock yet, so the banks are still open.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Jonas scrutinized the SUV as it careened through the main gates, a surreptitious smile molded his lips. Bethany had taken the bait and arrived earlier than he had anticipated. The SUV came to a screeching halt in front of the main building, brakes squealing as Bethany stomped down hard. Throwing open the door, Bethany leapt from the vehicle and strode up the steps to the main entrance. From the set of her shoulders and stiff march up the stairs, it wasn’t hard to guess what her current mind-set was. His grin blossomed to a full scale smile. Unless he was mistaken, Miles was in for the tongue-lashing of his life and Jonas wasn’t going to miss out on one second. Hurrying to catch up, Jonas mentally envisioned the encounter. He, of course, would be the concerned onlooker, and ultimately support Bethany in whatever decisions he helped her make—decisions which placed particular emphasis on Nathan and the young woman, and wherever they were.

Doors slammed ahead of him and he could hear Bethany’s voice fervently cursing and damning the whole establishment. He almost laughed out loud, but thought better of it. Bethany was one smart bird and it wouldn’t do for her to witness his amusement, especially given her obvious hostility at having to return.

Bethany rounded the corner and strode into the main lab. Miles was bent over the computer, rapidly inputting codes and it wasn’t until she was standing next to him that he even became aware of her presence. Startled, his myopic eyes widened in alarm and he could only stammer in confusion.

“Wha—” he gulped, his face blanching, “what are you doing here?”

Disgust and dislike fought for control of her face as she responded. “The real question is—what are you still doing here?”

Nervously, Miles loosened his tie, his Adam’s apple bobbing as the pressure of the collar relaxed. “I’m just finishing up some calculations before I shut the whole thing down.”

“There was nothing left to calculate, you idiot! Everything that needed to be done was already done! All you needed to do was shut the system down.” Peering over his shoulder, she got her first good look at the computer screen. Her mouth dropped open as awareness dawned. “You’re calculating the ripple effect! Why? Why in God’s name would you do such a thing? Are you trying to ruin us?” She shrieked. “Do you ever want to work again?”

Miles sputtered helplessly, rendered speechless by Bethany’s hostile verbal attack. His face flushing beet red, Miles’ eyes flickered briefly to Jonas.

Taking his cue, Jonas stepped forward. “It was my decision. I forced him to do it.”

Swinging around, Bethany pounced. “Why? Why would you do such a thing? What would you have to gain?”

Picking his words carefully, Jonas responded. “It took me awhile, but I finally figured out what was going on around here—and when I figured it out, I made a decision. I plan to go back and join Nathan. Not only me, but fifteen others as well—men and women, hand-picked by me for their background and areas of expertise.”

“You can’t do that! It isn’t possible! The system wasn’t designed to handle that large of a group and the dangers are too great. Forget it! Folding time doesn’t work that way. Surely Miles told you that!”

Miles interjected, refusing to look at Jonas. “I told him it wasn’t possible, but he threatened to kill me if I didn’t go along with his ridiculous plan.”

“I may still kill you anyway just for the fun of it,” Jonas threatened, stepping forward.

Miles gasped, his fat cheeks bouncing in panic as he waved his arms protectively. “I did everything you told me to do!”

Motioning for silence, Bethany continued. “There’s no way I’ll allow this to happen. We’ve only sent one person through at a time, and then only Nathan and Riley. It wouldn’t be safe. It can’t be done.”

Mildly, but with determination, Jonas countered. “It can be done! You just have to figure out how.”

“Why? Why would you want to go?” Bethany’s face was a mixture of bewilderment and anxiety.

“Why? I’ll tell you why. I need this! I was born a couple of hundred years too late. The person I am inside is a warrior—that’s what I was meant to be and that’s why I joined Black Ops. With them, I could utilize my natural talents.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “Aside from all that, Nathan is the best friend I ever had and if he’s back there, that’s where I’m going.”

“What about the others—why are they here?”

Sneering, Miles answered for him. “They think they are going to form a tribe—how stupid is that?”

Drawing his knife, Jonas advanced on Miles, only to be stopped again by Bethany. “Shut up, Miles, or do you want to be silenced forever? Keep in mind—it wouldn’t hurt my feelings in the least.”

“Yeah! I know! You’d like me to disappear forever, wouldn’t you?”

Glaring at Miles, her eyes narrowed in repulsion, Bethany ground out. “As a matter of fact, I would, along with all your other disgusting friends. If I could have figured out how, I would have done it myself months ago. I just don’t have Jonas’ professional capabilities.”

Jonas grinned wolfishly. Cringing, Miles’ eyes dropped, a hangdog look settling on his features. “I only did what he forced me to do.”

Flicking his hand at Miles, Jones casually dismissed the man. “He said he could do it, that he almost had everything ready. We’ve been waiting for weeks, but he kept hedging on a specific time. Once I figured out that he didn’t have the requisite knowledge or the intelligence to handle the matter, I finally decided it was time to bring you back.”

Miles’ eyes bulged from their sockets. “How dare you! My intelligence is so far above your level, you can’t even contemplate the difference!”

“I know you’re an idiot parading around as a genius,” Jonas smirked. “Not only an idiot, but a coward as well.”

Miles’ countenance subtly changed, his eyes calculating and cold. “Soon, you just might have the opportunity to see how much of a genius I really am.”

“Well, that just isn’t going to happen,” Bethany interjected, returning them to the problem at hand. “The system is going to be shut down and that’s the end of it.”

Refusing to be dissuaded, Jonas pressed on. “We’re going no matter what and you might as well accept it. And unless you have a way to stop us, I suggest you cooperate and make sure Miles’ calculations are correct—or you don’t, and take the chance that something bad will happen to all of us if you leave it to Miles.”

“And if I refuse—what then?”

Jonas’ eyes hardened. “Then Miles does the work and it’s on your head if he fails.”

Solemnly, Bethany studied him, noting the grim resolve stamped on his face. He stood there proud and unafraid, his black eyes steady and unwavering. Nothing in Jonas’ demeanor suggested even the slightest degree of uneasiness about the dangers of the proposed venture. He had already made his decision, and she knew from past experience that he wouldn’t back down. It was out of her hands as he said, and if they were to succeed, a great deal depended on her. A part of her relished the challenge. If they made it, and she wasn’t betting on anything, Nathan and Riley’s chances of survival increased dramatically. There was that! Nathan and Jonas had always made a good team and sending Jonas and his group back would help alleviate some of the guilt she carried. Sighing, fully aware the whole thing was chancy at best, she nodded her acceptance.

“You really think you can send that many through?” Miles reminded Bethany of a bug with his eyes bulging out and his mouth hanging open.

“I’ll have to recalculate a few parameters. Move your fat butt out of the way and let me get to work. Do you know when the next best time is?”

Miles relinquished his chair willingly. “My best calculation points to next Tuesday as being the most opportune time.”

Bethany nodded, her eyes skimming quickly through the computer file. From a cursory review, Miles’ calculations appeared accurate, but she hadn’t gained the reputation of being anal by carelessness. She had to work through each one personally. “Get out of here and leave me alone. If we’re going to do this, I’ve got tons of work to do.”

Jonas relaxed, their fate now rested in Dr. Collins’ most capable hands. Miles was rock bottom on his list of people to trust and he hadn’t felt totally confident in Miles’ work ethics either. Bethany, on the other hand, was totally trustworthy. Leaving the lab, he headed over to the gym to update the team on the good news. Nate, he thought, I’m coming!

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Riley snuggled next to Nathan, content to lie there and listen to his strong heartbeat. Stifling the urge to wake him, she gazed long at his face relaxed in sleep. Gone were the lines that were so evident on his weathered skin. Handsome, he would turn any woman’s head, but without the pretty boy features that were so popular in modern day. Personally, pretty boys had never appealed to her and, besides, she didn’t think any of those boys would have survived here as Nathan had.

Snuggling closer for warmth, she grimaced slightly as unused thigh muscles throbbed in rebellion, memories of the previous night flooding her consciousness. Nathan proved to be a surprisingly skillful and imaginative lover—or should she call him her lover now? It sounded so positive, and who was there to challenge her claim? She was fairly certain he wouldn’t. Shyness set in. What would his attitude be this morning? Would he treat her differently and, if so, would it be good, bad or otherwise? She agonized over the possibilities as scenario after scenario flashed through her mind until, in one embarrassingly negative imagining—

Demon whined from the doorway, alerted by her slight movement. Shushing him quietly, she motioned for him to lie down, grateful for the distraction, but refusing to be deprived of the short time left before Nathan woke and the day began, but by the sudden elevation in his heartbeat, Riley was fairly certain he was already awake. She leaned over and glared at Demon, showing her teeth in a mock growl. “See what you did, you big dope!” Demon guilty ducked his head, tail thumping cautiously, his expression likened to a kid caught stealing cookies.

“Don’t try to pretend innocence with me,” she scolded. “I just might decide I need a new fur coat for winter.”

Demon growled back, clearly reiterating his place in the hierarchy of the pack and her obviously inferior position. She laughed and rolled to her side, squealing as Nathan made a quick grab and pulled her back, his two-day old beard scratching as he nuzzled her neck, appreciatively breathing in her scent and thoroughly enjoying the pleasurable sensation of waking up next to her.

“You faker! I knew you were awake.” She squirmed, adjusting to a more comfortable position, titillated by his interest. “If you’d been smart, you’d have let me get up and let the dog out. Now you get to do it.”

“Why me? Why’s that fair?” His roaming hand smoothed over her firm thighs and sleek butt, tickling her private parts casually as though unaware of how his actions were affecting her. He almost managed to confuse the issue.

“Because he’s your dog! She gasped, aroused. “That hasn’t changed,” she managed to calmly murmur. “Some things just have to be, whether they make sense or not—it’s the way the law is written.”

“I’m the lawmaker around here, and as my subordinate, you have to follow my orders, and my first order is that you get up and take Demon out.” Nathan’s eyes crinkled in amusement.

“Who elected you chief judge and executioner?” Grumpily pushing him away, she made to stand up.

Releasing her reluctantly and clasping his hands behind his head, he recapped his dubious appointment. “I was duly elected by the vote of the people. This is, after all, a democracy.”

Groaning in exasperation, Riley threw up her arms. “I don’t remember voting. Doesn’t my vote count for anything?”

Although keenly distracted by the sight of her naked form, Nathan was cognizant enough to defend his position. “Everyone knows the election occurred prior to your arrival, but it was an honest count, no Florida errors here, and when the votes were tallied, I was the winner. We had a victory celebration and everything,” he finished smugly.

“And I bet that was an exciting moment for everyone in attendance!” Chilled by the morning air, she hurriedly donned her leggings and tunic, struggling with the leather boots. Demon whined again, clearly agitated by her tardiness.

“I was just kidding,” Nathan conceded. “I don’t want you going out there alone. I need to check the perimeter before I even let Demon out. We don’t want any unhappy surprises.”

Riley checked her movements, the boot thudding heavily to the ground, as reality surfaced. “I…sort of…forgot for the moment,” she admitted. “Do you think they know we’re here now?”

“I don’t think so, but I can’t be certain. I think if they knew we were here, they’d make their presence known one way or another, and very quickly.”

Nathan threw back the covers and stood up in one fluid motion. Riley’s eyes were inexplicably drawn, admiring his male physique, her senses heightened with reawakening passion. You just didn’t spend the night she had and walk away untouched, even in the modern world where such things happened all the time—at least Riley didn’t. Little flutters of excitement quivered their way through her system. It was not as if they were on a specific timetable and one more hour abed wouldn’t change anything. But no, he was hurriedly dressing, his mind already on the multitude of tasks to be accomplished. His attention to the details at hand was admirable, if somewhat disappointing.

She finished dressing, and stepped into the living area as Nathan headed towards the entrance to the shelter.

“Stay here and keep Demon in for a little bit while I check around. I think we’re safe here for now, but until I know differently, let’s just be careful.”

Anxiously, Riley nodded. She always felt more at ease if Demon accompanied Nathan. If nothing else, the dog was an excellent guard. As Nathan exited, Demon began yipping and barking, offended at being left behind.

“For heaven’s sake, shut up,” she admonished the dog. “It’s not like he’ll be gone forever. Give him five minutes and you can go out.” Demon settled down immediately, almost as if he understood her. Sometimes the dog was just downright scary.

Nathan edged cautiously from the shelter, his eyes scanning the perimeter, alert to any unforeseen threats. Keeping to the dense brush and trees surrounding the open area, he worked his way carefully around, assessing every vestige of evidence that would mark the passing of intruders. So far—so good. Satisfied their position had gone undetected after a complete reconnaissance of the outlying area, Nathan returned to the cave. Riley waited nervously, relief washing her features as he entered the inner room.

“Did you find anything?” She asked breathlessly, her eyes too big for her heart-shaped face.

He shook his head, “No, nothing. Pretty quiet out there. I think we’re safe for now.” Motioning Demon to follow, Nathan led the dog out for a short run.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jonas entered the lab, curiosity getting the better of him. It had been three days since Bethany had returned, and other than short rest periods, she had spent every moment bent over the computer, analyzing and recalculating Miles’ entries. Her face was lined with exhaustion and a frown marred her otherwise pleasant features.

“Anything interesting?”

Bethany glanced up, annoyed by his uninvited interruption. “Something’s just not right. I keep recalculating, and each time, I come up with a totally different figure from Miles’ computations. I can’t seem to get my figures to jive with his, and if my calculations are correct—then he’s in some serious trouble.” She bent back to her work, Jonas’ presence forgotten in an instant.

A small qualm of doubt raised its ugly head. “Why do you suppose that is?”

Bethany looked up again, startled by his continued presence. “I don’t know, but I have my suspicions.”

“Such as?” He pressed.

Irritated by his questions, she snapped. “I’m working on it, but if what I suspect is true, Miles was planning on sending you on a one-way trip to nowhere.”

“Nowhere? Would that be someplace different than where Nathan is?”

“Exactly! Not only a different place, but much farther back. Who knows where or when you would have ended up.”

Hands clenching in rage, Jonas saw red. “Are you saying he was trying to kill all of us?”

“No,” she responded, shaking her head slightly, “just sending you to some time where, more likely than not, you wouldn’t have survived.” She hesitated. “Actually, yes, indirectly, he was trying to kill you.”

A deep rumble of fury constricted Jonas’ chest. “I knew it!” He fumed. “I knew that son-uv-a-bitch couldn’t be trusted.” Storming out, he searched the quadrant, hoping to find Miles alone. Bethany raced after him. Jonas’ temper had gotten him into more than one scrape in the past.

“What are you going to do?” She panted, stumbling after him. “Let’s make sure I’m correct before we confront him. Then you can do whatever you want. I’ll look the other way.”

Jonas paused, weighing her words carefully. On the microscopic chance that Miles might somehow be innocent, he decided to err on the side of caution. “Okay, but the minute you confirm his guilt, I’ll take care of him,” he growled. Bethany flinched, but breathed a soft sigh of relief. She might need Miles’ assistance for awhile. After that, Jonas could have him. Returning to the lab, she dismissed the incident from her mind. She had tasks to do and very little time to complete them.

Jonas joined his team in the workout room. They all turned to him, their faces mirroring their questions. He surveyed the group, pleased with his selection. Fifteen men and woman—strong, intelligent and resourceful, just the characteristics they would need to survive in the new environment. He mentally assessed each one. Geena: tracker extraordinaire, she could track a flea on a dog’s butt. Abe: the oldest member of the group, healer and part-time shaman. His duties would include being the spiritual leader for the group. Micah: dangerous, but loyal, the perfect soldier. Seth and Mark: more muscle. The women: potters, tanners, weavers, food gatherers, each having more than one skill. And Jacob: flint-knapper and weaponry expert. Each person was picked exclusively for those abilities and skills necessary for the group to survive. They were strong, resilient and eager for adventure. As a group, they were the best possible choices and their experience and expertise would lay the foundation for the generations to come.

“When do we leave?” Geena’s face lit with expectation.

“Soon. Dr. Collins indicated next Tuesday may be the best window so we’re shooting for that time.”

Nodding, Geena moved away to stand beside Micah. Jonas mentally approved. They would make a solid couple and would bear strong and intelligent children. Couples were already forming. Those singles who had yet to pick were the older members, less inclined to make rash decisions.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

A lump of dread formed in Riley’s throat. Even though Nathan had checked the perimeter, instinct warned that trouble was brewing. Pacing back and forth, she anxiously awaited their return, chewing her nails and watching the entrance. Deciding that action was better than remaining idle, she donned her jacket and pushed open the rock door. It was getting easier, either she was stronger or she had developed whatever knack it took to get the rock moved. Nathan had left the outer entrance open, intending that their foray into the open would only last for a few minutes. She started out and then hesitated as Nathan and the dog raced headlong back towards the cave. From his expression, something was definitely wrong.

“Get back in the cave,” he growled, “we’ve got big trouble.”

Stumbling in haste, Riley moved back as quickly as she could. “What’s happening? What did you see?”

His face set and brooding, Nathan grimly replied. “It’s not what I saw, it’s what we heard, and it doesn’t sound good. I think the newcomers are attacking the others’ camp.”

“Why? What did you hear?” Nervously she stared into the distance towards the others’ encampment.

Grimly, Nathan chose his words. “Screaming, and lots of it—and war cries. I know a war cry when I hear one, but it’s the screams that are the worst. No one screams like that unless it’s a death scream. I know—I’ve heard enough of them.”

Riley began shaking, her teeth chattering in response. “What can we do?”

“Nothing! There’s too many of them and if we show ourselves or give them any indication we’re here, more than likely, we’d end up the same way as the others.”

“But we can’t just sit here! We have to do something! There are children down there for God’s sake!”

Nathan pulled her to him, wrapping her in his warmth and protection. “I know, I feel exactly the same way and if I thought we could change the outcome even one little bit, I wouldn’t hesitate. But there’s nothing we can do. We just don’t have the manpower. I’m sorry.” His eyes spoke volumes.

“I can’t believe that! There has to be something we can do!” Clutching him in terror and grief, Riley tried to distance herself from the images flashing through her mind, impossible under the circumstances. “We have to try.” Forcing him away, she made as if to leave the shelter, but was brought to a standstill by the dog guarding the door.

“Tell him to get out of the way,” she demanded angrily.

Shaking his head no, Nathan motioned the dog to stay.

“I mean it, Nathan,” Riley shouted in frustration. “Move him out of the way or I will. I have to at least try to help them.” Tears streamed down her face. Brushing them away, she stalked towards the dog, daring him to attack. Demon whined in agitation, warning her gently.

“Riley, wait!” Groaning inwardly, Nathan relented. “Okay! I’ll go. If there’s anything that can be done, I’ll do it. You don’t have the skill or experience to handle this sort of thing. Keep Demon here with you as well. If anything happens to me, he can help you survive.”

Riley froze; her face a mixture of pain and confusion. “You have to come back! How could I live without you?” Her voice sounded weak and fearful, even to her ears.

“You’re right. I have to go.” If nothing else, he could at least try to save a few.

“No!” she cried remorsefully. “No! You were right! There’s nothing we can do. You have to stay here! We need you! I need you!” She threw herself into his arms, crying in fear and anguish. “I can’t be here without you!”

Gently disengaging himself, Nathan wiped the tears from her face, and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. “I’ll be careful. With any luck, they’ll never even notice I was there.”

“But what if they do? What happens then?” Her large eyes glistened.

“Then I’ll run like hell,” he chuckled softly. “I’m not planning on any heroics. I’ll go to the lookout first and see what’s happening and then decide from there what the plan is.”

“Okay, but come back and we’ll decide together. This is not your decision alone to make.” Firmly, Riley pressed her point. “If we’re in this together, then we both make the decision. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” He conceded gruffly. “If we’re lucky, the others will have repelled the attack and we won’t need to do anything.”

“What are the chances of that?” Her eyes lit hopefully.

“The others have weapons and they do know how to fight. They also have the advantage of a good defensive position. If they had time to regroup, they might be able to fight them off.”

Reluctantly, Nathan stepped back and then moved into the shelter, gathering his weapons and making preparations. Grabbing Demon, he tied a rope around the dog’s neck and secured it soundly. “Keep Demon inside. I don’t want to worry about either of you. If I know you’re here, then I know you’re safe. Understood?”

Nodding apprehensively, Riley watched his careful preparations. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

“I should easily be back by nightfall.”

“And if you’re not?” She asked with trepidation.

“Then I probably won’t be coming back.” There was no other way to say it.

“Demon and I should go with you. It’s better if we stay together!” Her voice rose, trembling with misgiving.

“No, it’s not! If I’m alone, I’ll move quicker and a lot quieter. Trust me on this one.”

“At least let me come halfway,” she pleaded brokenly.

“I can’t!” He pulled her to him. “Listen carefully to me! I need you here and safe. My mind has to be focused totally on what I’m doing—not worrying about you.”

Though she fought against it, Nathan was right. Her very limited fighting skills would serve little purpose in a situation like this. He was trained for maneuvers where stealth and invisibility were essential. She didn’t have the talent or aptitude to lend any appreciable aid, but vowed to remedy that soon if possible. Being left behind was not acceptable. Running to the kitchen area, she hurriedly packed a good portion of jerky and filled a water skin. It was the least she could do and allowed her to make some contribution. Tears welled up again and a small sob escaped. She should have kept her mouth shut, but no—she had to challenge the issue. When would she ever learn? If something happened to him, there would be no self-forgiveness or reason to survive.

Garbed in his battle garments, Nathan was the epitome of the barbarian warrior, or more specifically, her version of an ancient American Indian. A small shield covered his left arm and, in his right hand, he carried an evil-looking spear. A bow with a good supply of arrows draped across his back and several large flint throwing knives ringed his waist. Rather than reassuring her, his arsenal only caused her more unease. From past experience watching his training sessions, she knew he was proficient in all of the weapons, but that small comfort did little to alleviate her feelings of foreboding.

Riley made one last plea. “Don’t go. Stay here with me. You were right, we can’t do anything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Nathan’s face softened, warmed by her concern. “If I don’t go, I’d never forgive myself. I’d always wonder if I could have done something. If I can help, I will.” His calm resolve left her no option but to give in, albeit unwillingly.

Without further thought, she threw herself into his arms, wrapping him tightly and exclaiming fiercely. “Just come back before you try anything. We make the decision together. You promised!”

He nodded and turned to leave, halting in mid-stride. “You know, don’t you, that I love you?”

Tears streamed anew as she nodded, barely able to whisper. “I know! I love you, too. Come back to me.”

Then he was gone, the rock door banging as he closed them in. Demon went wild, barking and jumping, trying to force himself free, but Nathan had secured him well. Riley soothed the dog as best she could but even long moments later, he continued whining, desperately pleading to go with his beloved master. Riley was so afraid, afraid that she would never see him again, vowing not to let that happen.

Settling herself down, she began the long hours of waiting. It was not even noon yet and it would be well into the evening before his expected return. Having little else to do, she gathered up some mending and prayed for Nathan’s safe return.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

His heart heavy, Nathan left the shelter, worry clouding his thoughts. If something happened to him, would Riley have the desire or capability to go on without him? On and on, those dark thoughts whirled though his brain, until finally, realizing he was losing his focus, he shook them off. Time to worry about that later. Right now, he needed every bit of concentration.

Unbelievably quiet, the normally raucous animals of the forest watched, holding their breaths in wary anticipation as he passed. The sounds of battle had ceased and only an occasional distant scream rent the air.

Nathan’s instinctive vigilance increased with each step. Having forced himself to focus on the task at hand, his natural talents took over. Every facet of his being was charged and ready for immediate action, his eyes continuously scanned the landscape, alert to any suspicious movements. Years of Black Ops training culminated in the hour at hand. Mentally, and without ego, he accepted his fighting skills—he was as good, if not better, than any adversary he had encountered in his lifetime.

Cautiously, he neared the site of the newcomers’ camp, noting their careless disregard for the natural beauty of the site. Discarded bones, trash and human excrement littered the campsite. His nose quivered in disgust. They were pigs as well as vicious killers. Their utter arrogance was evidenced by their nonchalance in concealing their presence—stemming no doubt from meeting little resistance in the past. No guards walked the perimeter and it took little imagination to believe they did not plan to return here. What they came for was below, in the village of the others.

Moving swiftly and silently to the overhang, he methodically disguised himself with nearby vegetation and then crawled carefully to the edge. From a quick scan of the clearing below, he noted several bodies of the others haphazardly littering the open ground. Thankfully, they appeared to be only those of adult males. A small number of females were bound and tied together, crouching down in abject terror as one newcomer systematically whipped and kicked them. From his vantage point, and unbeknownst to the newcomers, Nathan spotted a small group of the others painstakingly making their way up a small gorge on the northern edge of the basin—mostly women and children and a few adult males. They were cautiously avoiding the skyline and would be out of sight shortly. No newcomers were on their trail yet and, with any luck, they would escape detection.

Time passed slowly while he kept the area under surveillance, planning and watching for an opportunity to free the bound females. No sound or movement betrayed his presence. Late in the afternoon, brushes rustled gently to his left and a young female of the others stepped uncertainly into the open. From the pack she carried, the female must have been berry picking when the attack began. Worried that the newcomers would see her, he silently moved to intercept. Unaware of his presence until that moment, and visibly shocked, she opened her mouth to scream.

Tackling her quickly and efficiently, Nathan covered her mouth with his hand, frantically trying to restrain her. Panic-stricken, she fought to free herself, biting, kicking, and gouging at his eyes, battling with the intensity of a cornered animal. Allowing his weight to pin her down, he captured her hands and waited. Her eyes flared wide with fright and he could feel her heart racing in terror. Having no way to communicate with the female, he could only hope that she would eventually realize his good intentions.

After what seemed like an eternity, she stopped fighting, too exhausted to continue, her dark eyes silently pleading. Not knowing what else to do, he patted her cheek softly and whispered nonsensical soothing sounds. Her nostrils flared as if checking his scent. For a long moment, she studied him carefully, perhaps noting the dissimilarities between him and the newcomers. No paint, feathers or bone chips decorated any part of his anatomy and only his facial features and maleness likened him to the newcomers. Nathan loosened his grip slightly, all the while crooning a soft sound. He made the age-old motion for quiet, his finger against his lip, hoping she understood the slight shushing noise. Seeming to understand, she nodded slightly. Rolling to his side, he motioned for her to follow him, crawling back down the incline. Though it was evident she did not trust him, she followed, staying near until they were into the safety of the tree line. Waving to the north, he attempted to convey to her the direction the others had taken. Bobbing her head and without further ado, she glided quickly and quietly through the trees and vanished from sight.

“Well, thank you too!” Nathan whispered behind her. Returning to the overhang, Nathan resumed his surveillance. The camp had quieted, the beating of the females had halted and the pandemonium of the earlier hours had ceased. His stomach grumbling with hunger, he fished the small packet of jerky from his waist pack, bit a small chunk off, and held it in his mouth, allowing saliva to soften the hardened mass. His eyes were drawn to the cooking fires below. Chunks of meat were grilling over the fire and, after quickly identifying the body parts, Nathan refused to look at them again. These humans were cannibals and the others were a food source. He could smell the cooking fires and nausea welled up, gagging him almost uncontrollably. Spitting out the jerky, he resisted the urge to empty his stomach. If he didn’t free the females soon, they would become part of the cooking pot.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Too many hours had passed since Nathan’s departure. The shelter became a prison and Riley suffered pangs of claustrophobia. Demon’s low whining did nothing to alleviate her anxiety. His eyes pleaded for release, periodically lunging through the air, attempting to snap the rope. Even though she was not tied up, Riley experienced the same feelings—deep down she knew something was not right.

She should have followed Nathan, nothing could convince her otherwise. If he didn’t show up soon, she and Demon would track him down. Boldly, she made her decision. If she was going to live in this time, she would learn to deal. Besides, she had Demon and the dog would easily lead her to Nathan. Gathering up what few weapons Nathan had left behind and adding the large cutting knife, she voiced her plan to Demon.

“Okay, doggy, if the big guy doesn’t show up real soon, we’re going after him. Agreed?” He woofed in reply.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Now what all do you think we need?” The dog eyed her quizzically. “How about this battle-ax thingy? Do you think I could do some damage with that? It’s pretty heavy.” Demon tilted his head as if considering. “Okay, it’s agreed, the battle-ax comes with us.” She hefted the knife, testing its weight. “I suppose if I had to, I could stab someone with this. Sounds pretty gross, though.”

Considering the ramifications, she speculated aloud “I wonder if I could actually do it, and if so, what would be the best entry point?” Shuddering, she decided to leave that decision until the imagined unpleasant incident presented itself.

Having gathered what weapons were available, Riley anxiously sat down to wait, her senses tingling and on edge. Foreboding permeated every fiber of her being. Trouble had either found Nathan or ultimately would soon. Calculating the amount of daylight left, she gave Nathan another hour, and if he hadn’t returned by that time, she would take action.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

In the distance, Nathan spotted subtle movement on the back rim of the others’ encampment. Unbelievably, a small bush shuffled awkwardly a few steps and then would rest, angling towards the direction of the captured females, moving only a short distance each time, careful not to draw any unwanted attention. The newcomers were busy celebrating and relaxing, guards were down and it was obvious they believed they had nothing to fear from the surviving others. Keeping his eyes focused on the small traveler, Nathan nodded to himself. Clever girl! By covering herself with vegetation and employing his method of concealment, the young female he detained earlier was working her way down to the camp. Alone and with few options, she was trying to free the other females.

Admiration for her quick thinking and efforts suffused him, even while he ground his teeth in frustration. He understood her compunction—one or more of those females was quite possibly a mother, sister or other close family member. That she had made it thus far was in itself amazing. From his vantage point, it was patently obvious that, unless something drew the newcomers’ full attention, she wouldn’t get any closer. Two brutal-looking individuals lazed directly in her path and, from the looks of things, they wouldn’t be moving soon. She would be caught and her fate would be the same as the other females. She should have left the area when she had the chance! Now, her survival appeared to be short-lived.

Without taking time to assess the consequences, he stood up. Taking a deep breath, he screamed a challenge, his voice echoing hollowly through the small valley. He screamed again, waving his arms and thumping his chest, imitating the actions of an enraged gorilla, his message clear. “Come and get me, you bastards,” he sneered contemptuously. “Come and get me.”

As one, the newcomers froze, their eyes searching the ridge above. Nathan screamed again, while letting loose a shower of arrows, reaffirming his challenge. The newcomers ran to the edge of the camp, their concentration directed at him, oblivious to anything but his audacity. Jeering hoots, catcalls and mocking laughter drifted up. They were returning his challenge in kind.

Nathan held his breath as the small bush made a final charge and came to rest beside the captured females, quickly and efficiently freeing the entire group and then creeping stealthily away. Hoping to draw the newcomers’ total attention, he screamed like a banshee, laughing like a demented maniac, kicking dirt clods and rocks over the edge, scornfully enforcing his feigned disdain for their prowess. Several of the younger, less seasoned newcomers grabbed weapons, running in his direction, showing off for the rest and emboldened by their unmitigated belief that he would be easily caught and disposed of. Egged on by their comrades’ laughter, they began scaling the rock wall.

The females made it to the tree line and were melting away. Satisfied that he had done everything possible, Nathan retreated, running along the rim of the ridge in clear view, away from Riley and the shelter. He would leave an easy trail and then angle back after losing them in the rocks near the river. The trackers kept in contact, yelling and shouting, and from the direction of their voices, were gradually closing in. He gained some advantage running full tilt down the incline to the river while they worked their way up to the overhang. He left a wide trail, leaving little question as to his presumed direction.

As he neared the bank of the river, he intentionally made tracks down into the river, then backtracked, taking care to leave no sign. By his estimation, he did a passable job, given his limited timeframe. Circling around, he worked his way up a ridge to the east along a small stream that emptied into the river below. It was a slow process but covering his tracks was easier here than on open ground.

The trackers reached the overhang and were running wildly down the incline, easily following his trail. A small grin split his lips. One of the trackers, in his haste, tripped and fell, rolling down the incline, bouncing and crashing into rocks and trees and, finally, coming to a hard stop. Unmoving, he lay there while the rest of the trackers pressed on. Score one for my side, Nathan thought.

The trackers had fanned out below and were scouring the river bank for sign, mulling around and stopping periodically, appearing confused. Nate allowed himself a moment to gloat, but only a moment. This was not a game and they were serious. If they caught up, their sheer numbers would be his downfall. He had no doubt of the outcome in a one-on-one battle, but he didn’t like the odds if more than one caught up. Keeping the trackers in sight, but staying in cover, he made good time, staying to the rocks along the small stream which were dry and easily traversed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Okay, dog, time to leave!” Patience wearing thin, Riley loaded up. Rolling open the inner entrance, she untied the dog but secured him in the outer chamber before closing the inner door. The dog jumped excitedly, eager to start. In her hand, Riley carried the largest cutting knife, tying the sinister war club to her pack within easy reach. Forcing open the outer door, she loosened the dog and the hunt began—or rather the lunatic charge through the underbrush commenced.

Holding onto the leash for dear life, Riley was dragged wildly along behind the dog, his eagerness to find his master his only focus. His strength far outweighed Riley’s ability to hold him back and only sheer determination kept her upright. The dog seemed to sense exactly where they needed to go and forged fiercely ahead, oblivious to Riley stumbling behind. Low slung branches repeatedly whipped and slashed her face as she tripped and staggered along, hands numb from blood loss by her death grip on the leather leash. They were making excellent time, though, she silently conceded.

Casting caution to the wind, they ran headlong, Riley trusting that the dog would alert her if any dangers presented themselves. Scenery flashed by, blurring as they hurried over the uneven ground. Riley’s breath was coming in gasps, chest throbbing from exertion, legs trembling in an effort to keep up. She would probably have a heart attack before they ever found Nathan. After what seemed forever, the reckless dash ended. Demon stopped abruptly, emitted a low rumbling growl, his hackles rising in challenge. Mouth suddenly dry, Riley crouched down, scanning the expanse, waiting for the dog’s next move.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Nathan crested the ridge, keeping to the brush surrounding the small feeder stream. The trackers had lost his trail and were milling dejectedly, searching near the spot where he had feigned entering the stream. None appeared too adept at finding sign and for that he was grateful. Another mile in the wrong direction and then he would backtrack. Hopefully, the maneuver would confuse them to the point they gave up.

He was, after all, only one individual and probably not worth the effort. Feeling more confident the further he got from the newcomers, he relaxed, moving faster through the brush, but still carefully covering his tracks. If they did manage to stumble on his new direction, he wouldn’t make it any easier for them. After what he estimated to be a mile, give or take a few yards, he began a wide circle back towards the shelter’s location. The underbrush, trees and vegetation were noticeably denser here and, as the sun sank further, visibility was limited.

Pausing for a moment, he drew in deep gulps of air, the exertion of the last few hours having taken its toll on him. Sudden and unexpected pain lanced down his left side as an arrow imbedded just below his sternum. He neither saw nor heard his attacker until it was too late. Had the arrow entered a short distance down, he would have been a goner. Staggering, he spun clumsily, reeling in an effort to face his would-be assailant. A short distance away, a brutal looking warrior stalked slowly from a small opening in the trees, his mouth twisted in a cruel smile.

It took little imagination to figure out that he had been waiting for Nathan to appear. The man was huge and powerfully built! This was not one of the younger, less seasoned warriors who were currently following his carefully laid tracks. This man had the look of someone who knew exactly what Nathan would do and when, and had easily found him. Nathan’s optimistic expectations sank sharply. Grimacing from the intense pain radiating from the wound, he crouched, knife in hand, preparing to do battle. Dizziness assailed him as blood streamed in an ever-increasing flow from the wound.

Smiling even wider, the attacker moved closer, his eyes glistening with ill-concealed mockery, secure in the knowledge of his superior strength and skill. Gritting his teeth, Nathan waited, knees flexed, weight on the balls of his feet. The attacker paused, flicking his blade from hand to hand, tempting Nathan to make the first move. Grinning back, Nathan jeered. “Too old for that trick. Come on over, you pig-shit! Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The warrior stopped, considering, grudging respect evident on his face. No doubt, he was unused to defiance. It proved an interesting concept—but only for a moment. Ducking his head, he charged like an enraged bull, intent on bowling Nathan over. Nathan easily sidestepped, slashing a red weal across the goon’s ribs, pearls of blood oozing up immediately from the gash. Whirling, the bigger man closed in again, knives flashing. Gone was the sneer he sported earlier, replaced by malevolent rage brought on by Nathan’s unexpected skill. Slashing and ripping, his sheer weight alone forced Nathan back. Desperately, Nathan countered the blows, hampered by the use of only one arm and weakened from blood loss. The attacker took the advantage, handling his blades easily, his expertise with the knives not limited by his respect for life. There would be no taking prisoners—this fight was to the death.

Nathan feinted to the right, hacking the other’s arm and knocking one blade to the ground. The odds were a little more even. The brute snarled, his teeth filed to sharp points, foul breath reeking with the stench of untreated sewage. His narrowed eyes gleamed with hatred, promising a long and painful death. Nathan deflected another blow, only to falter as the thug landed a well-placed strike to his left skull area. Bleeding from numerous small cuts and nicks, and blood clouding his vision, Nathan blindly fought on, knowing full well there was no other choice. He couldn’t bear to think of Riley being left alone—he couldn’t let that happen! Harder and harder the brute drove at him, until, finally, Nathan fell one last time. Crowing with glee, the brute wrapped one beefy arm around Nathan’s neck, forcing his head down.

* * *

Demon went crazy, barking and fighting to get away. He dragged Riley into the open and thrashed about wildly. Riley froze in disbelief. Nathan was down, held fast by a huge combatant, and by the look of things, wouldn’t last even a few minutes longer. Dropping Demon’s leash, she waved him on, screaming in fear. “Go, Demon, sic! Get him, Dog! Kill!”

True to his name, the huge dog lunged through the air, howling in fury, his giant maw gaping as he prepared to strike. Landing on the attacker’s back, he clamped down on the soft tissue of the man’s nape and hung on. The brute screamed, trying to dislodge the dog, but Demon only clamped down harder. The dog brutalized the screaming man, ripping and tearing, breaking limbs and moving so fast, Riley was barely able to track his movements. The victim somehow managed to escape a few feet, only to be brought down again. Once more, Demon went for the man’s throat, this time ripping the soft underside of his neck. The man screamed once in agony, gurgling as blood welled up, drowning in his own secretions. Demon continued to maul the body, ripping and slashing and tearing. Riley rushed to stop the dog, horrified by his utter savagery.

“Demon!”” She cried. “Stop—Stop now!”

“No,” Nathan voice halted her. “No, let him finish. Let them think he was killed by a wild animal. We need them to think that. Let him finish!”

Riley turned away, sickened by the gore and unwilling to watch any further. She could hear every sound the dog made as he continued to rip apart the body, shaking it like a broken doll, growling in rage and victorious from the kill. Rushing to Nathan’s side, she knelt down, carefully examining his many injuries. Though his face was covered by blood, he smiled, reaching up and smoothing a lock of hair from her tear-streaked countenance.

“I told you to stay in the shelter,” he scolded her weakly.

“Oh, shut up,” she wailed angrily. “If I had, you’d be dead by now.”

“No, really!” he chuckled softly. “I was just letting him think he had the best of me, then I was going to make my move.” He soothed her with a gentle caress.

“And what move was that? Showing him how well you could make flowers grow after we planted you?” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

The terrible noises from Demon finally ceased. Refusing to look behind her, Riley concentrated on Nathan, wiping blood from his eyes and helping him to drink, her hands shaking with uncontrolled emotion.

“We have to get back to the shelter,” Nathan warned. “I don’t know how many others might be close by.” Riley nodded, reaching down to help him up.

“You’ve lost a lot of blood.” Fear clutched her in the pit of her stomach. “We need to get the arrow out and pad the wound.”

“That’ll have to wait ‘til later. We don’t have that kind of time right now.”

“Can you walk?”

Grimacing, Nathan fought to stand, weaving uncertainly. “I have to, but I’m pretty certain I’ll need your help.”

“Maybe we can fix a travois and Demon can drag you,” she voiced hopefully.

“He might if we had time, but they’ll be here soon and it just isn’t possible right now.” He reached across her shoulders, bracing himself. “Demon!” he instructed the dog. “Home!” The dog moved ahead, glancing over his flank, making sure they followed.

Blood and gore still covered Demon’s jaws and red slashes marked his white chest, stark reminders of the events of a few moments ago. Although her mind dictated otherwise, Riley couldn’t help but feel relief. “Good dog,” Riley praised him, “you were a good boy.” A small wag of his tail was Demon’s only acknowledgment; his focus was totally on the task at hand—leading them home.

Night was swiftly falling and it was imperative they return to the safety of the shelter. The wind moaned eerily through the tree tops, forlorn and haunting, a harbinger of things to come. Animal roars and distant howls rent the silence, the night hunters were drawn by the smell of blood on the wind. Riley’s skin prickled, envisioning them watching and waiting, biding their time for the right moment to attack. Branches rustled a short distance away as though some creature kept pace with their movements. Demon growled a warning, his head roving back and forth as he checked for scent. Riley shivered uncontrollably, her imagination fraught with terror. Fearfully, her eyes strained the dark, praying that nothing would materialize—afraid she would overlook the obvious if it didn’t. Her little group was so alone in this terrifying world.

Burdened by Nathan’s weight, travel was slow and she was finding it harder with every step to keep him upright. Stumbling and tripping awkwardly, he almost brought them both tumbling down more than once. He needed medical attention and soon, and she just didn’t have the training necessary to take care of him. Her medical training only included CPR and unless he went into cardiac arrest, she was limited in what she knew how to do. The arrow would have to come out and she cringed at the thought, but he would bleed to death if she didn’t try.

Nathan stumbled and fell, dropping heavily to the ground. “I don’t think I can go any further,” he struggled for breath.

“Get up!” Riley urged, pulling at him. “Get up now! We’re almost there. It’s just a little farther. Come on, damn you, we’re almost there!”

Demon whined, nudging Nathan and nipping at his feet. Nathan waved him away but the dog refused to budge. Groaning, Nathan rested for a few minutes, but ultimately allowed Riley to help him up. “If I can’t make it, you and Demon need to go on without me.”

“Forget that! We aren’t leaving you—are we, Demon?” She wrapped Nathan’s arm over her shoulder and practically dragged him along, cursing heartily in anger and frustration, allowing adrenalin to build. She’d carry him if she had to. She wasn’t one of those petite, feminine little things and, for once in her life, she was thankful.

As if reading her mind, Nathan commented, his voice exhausted and thin, “I love big strong women who make me feel helpless—and talk dirty!”

“Oh, for God’s sake! You are helpless, you dork, or am I misinterpreting the situation?” Gritting her teeth, she leaned in hard, dragging him along, carrying even more of his weight. Sweat pooled on her brow and dripped relentlessly into her eyes, determination strengthening her resolve. They would make it back, no matter what. The dog hurried ahead of them, alternately guarding and leading, watchful and alert.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, they made it to the edge of the clearing in front of the shelter. Moonbeams lit the small glen, softly kissing the scenery, peaceful and inviting. Nothing moved, at least nothing Riley could identify and Demon exhibited no signs of uneasiness or concern. Nathan was almost unconscious, mumbling incoherently, his skin hot and feverish. Riley helped him sit down while she opened the shelter, gathering the little group in and then closing the entrance.

It was pitch black in the inner cave area and Riley groped along the wall, trying to find the inner door. Sliding it back, she physically hauled Nathan the rest of the way in. When the inner door was secure, she lit a candle and soft light spread through the darkness. Adding fuel to the few coals still smoldering in the fireplace, she had a small fire going quickly. Water would be boiling soon and she would have to doctor Nathan’s wound. Her stomach clenching in anxiety, Riley prepared a pallet on the floor and rolled Nathan on. Cutting his shirt off, she almost fainted at her first good look at the arrow wound.

Caked blood and grime clung to the area around the wound, which was puckered and oozing. The arrow was solidly entrenched just below his shoulder bone. Trying to remember basic anatomy, she was only guessing whether any major arteries were involved. Stripping off the rest of his clothes, she busied herself sponging the wound area, trying to center herself. Nathan groaned and tried to sit up, thrashing around and knocking over a chair in his delirium. With no other choice, she tied him up, worrying that if she didn’t, he would injure himself further.

Collecting an array of healing herbs from the stock Nathan kept on hand, she ground them up and added just enough water to make a thick paste. The water was boiling and the knives were in the process of being sterilized. The large sewing needle and long strands of animal hair were disinfected as well. She laid out a collection of clean rags and everything was in readiness, everything except herself. Saying a silent prayer for guidance, Riley braced herself for the work at hand. Shaking Nathan gently, she tried to force him to consciousness.

“Nathan,” she pleaded. “Nathan, you have to help me! I don’t know what to do.”

His glazed eyes opened with no sense of comprehension to comfort her.

“Nathan!” she tried again somewhat louder. “Nathan, please, you have to tell me what to do!” His fevered eyes slowly focused on her, recognition surfacing in the murky depths.

“Nathan, come on, Nathan! Try to focus, I need your help!”

Taking a shallow breath, he whispered through cracked and dry lips. “Pull the damn thing out.”

“Pull it out! Is that all? Just pull it out? What if I rupture an artery or something?” Tears washed her face and dripped down onto Nathan’s chest. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“You have to,” he croaked feverishly. “I can’t do it.”

Losing the tenuous restraint she held on her emotions, Riley wept uncontrollably, sickened and terrified by what she would be forced to do.

“Calm down, sweetie,” weakly, Nathan tried to calm her. “In my pack...get the metal spoons.”

Hiccupping, she responded angrily. “And what am I supposed to do with them? Have lunch?”

“No,” shaking his head. “Widen the wound...make easier...pull the arrow straight out. Antibiotic in there, too.”

Rushing to his pack, she searched frantically, finally finding something that looked somewhat like metal spoons, more like salad spoons hooked in the middle. Flexing them open, her imagination did the rest. At least she had something to work with. There was also a packet of white powder which she assumed and hoped was the antibiotics. Briefly, she wondered how many other little modern conveniences he had tucked away. Later on, she would just have to find out. Whatever! She didn’t have time to think about it now. The spoons were hastily dipped into the boiling water and there was nothing left to do but begin.

Kneeling beside Nathan, she gingerly inserted the spoon heads along the arrow shaft, freezing when Nathan jerked in pain, sweat pooling on his brow.

“Keep going,” he growled. “Just get it over with.”

Forcing the spoons down as deep as she dared, she gently pried them open, stopping as Nathan gasped and cried out. She waited until he settled down, hoping he would have a few more instructions.

“Pull the arrow straight out,” he groaned. “Try to keep the barbs from twisting further in.”

She needed more light! The wound was bleeding again in a steady stream and it just wasn’t possible to see down into the wound clearly. After collecting as many candles as she could find and quickly lighting them, she then blotted the blood as best she could and assessed the positioning of the arrowhead. She could see the end of one side of the arrowhead and it didn’t appear as though it was barbed, but the other end was imbedded. Rather than risk both ends becoming imbedded, she decided it was best to try to pull the arrow straight out. Her hands were slick with blood and perspiration, and getting a good grip on the shaft of the arrow was almost impossible. Standing up and straddling Nathan, she got a good grip on the shaft and pulled hard. Nathan screamed, jerked and then passed out. Probably the best thing under the circumstances since the arrow was still in place.

Demon growled, stalking towards her on stiff legs, threatening and dangerous.

“Go lay down,” she commanded, unafraid. “I’m not hurting him! I’m helping him. Good dog, go lay down.” Instead, he sat down next to them, protectively guarding Nathan. Great! Now she had to worry about the dog as well. Deciding to ignore his obvious unhappiness with her actions, she took a deep breath and yanked hard. Grunting with effort, she fell backwards, hitting her head on a stool, as the arrowhead popped free. Blood spurted from the wound, liberally spraying her and the dog. Grabbing the rags, she covered the wound, pressing down firmly, hoping to stem the flow. After a time, uncertainly, she lifted a corner and carefully scrutinized the area. The blood flow had lessened considerably already. Wiping the area as clean as possible, she twisted open the antibiotic pack and poured a small amount over the wound before sewing several large stitches across the gash. More antibiotic was poured over the site, repacking it with clean bandages and then tying the ends over Nathan’s shoulder and across his chest to secure the bandages more firmly. The many smaller cuts she washed thoroughly and then pasted the healing herbs thickly on each, judiciously saving the antibiotic for the most serious injury.

Nathan remained unconscious, his breathing steady, although shallow. A frown creased his face, lines radiating across his brow. Smoothing his hair back with shaking hands, she offered another silent prayer for his speedy recovery. Sleep was the best thing for him now. Gently, she untied the bonds that secured him and washed his entire body, calmed by the simple chore. Throughout the long night, she kept a close vigilance over Nathan, alternately covering him when he shook with cold and sponging him with cold water when he felt hot to the touch. By morning, the fever broke.

When he was resting more comfortably, she instructed the dog to watch him while she rested for a few minutes and took the time to shower.

By the time she returned to the kitchen area, Nathan was breathing easier and some color had returned to his cheeks. The dog lay by him, head on his paws, his eyes centered on his master. Grabbing a clean bowl of water, Riley approached the dog warily. She’d never seen the brute bathed, but too much blood still covered his white pelt. He eyed her warily, baring his teeth for show.

“Stop that right now,” Riley scolded, slapping him gently. “I’m just going to wash your face. Do you want to look like nobody cares about you?” Demon ducked his head, trying to avoid the dreaded washcloth. “Oh, I see you’ve done this before,” she chuckled. “I bet Nathan wasn’t as determined as me, though.”

“He hates that.” Nathan’s weak voice commented.

Riley whirled, relief and joy flooding her features. “Nathan! O-mi-gawd! How do you feel? Do you need a drink or something?” The dog went crazy, licking Nathan’s face and jumping in excitement.

“A drink would be great,” he coughed. “Ouch, that hurts,” he groaned, pushing the dog back. “Lay down, boy.” Grabbing a cup, she filled it and then ran back, splashing the whole thing on him in her haste.

“How about in my mouth this time?” His chapped lips grinned slightly.

Embarrassed by her clumsiness, her face flushing beet red, she tried again, this time successfully managing to get the water down instead of on him.

Attempting to sit up, he fell back weakly, panting from the exertion. “Can you help me get to my bed? This floor is hard as rock”

Riley laughed out loud. “It is rock, you big goof!”

Reaching down, she wrapped her arms around him, savoring the moment, rubbing her face against his hair. “I was so worried about you.” Her voice breaking, she paused, “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

With his good arm, he reached up, cupping her face. “I know, but I wasn’t going to let that happen.” His touch soothed her as no other. “Besides,” he grinned, “I’m the best looking man around here.”

Riley had to give him that one. “Yup, you are! But that isn’t saying much,” she quipped in response.

“You’ll suffer for that one,” Nathan warned. “I might just have to introduce you to some of the other possible beaus around here.”

“No...no...that’s perfectly all right. I’m happy with present company.”

Getting Nathan to his feet was no easy matter, care had to be taken not to reopen the wound and he was very weak, but ultimately she had him up and into the sleeping area. He moaned in relief as he sank down into the furs.

“Do you think you could eat some broth if I brought you some?”

Nodding slightly, he closed his eyes, the short walk taking its toll on his already depleted energy. “Sorry I’m such a burden right now.”

Suddenly realizing she was tired beyond belief herself, Riley nevertheless thanked God that they were safe for the moment. “Yes, you are a burden, but not an unwanted one. I’ll be right back.”

The warmth of the kitchen filled her heart, her worried mind eased by the undemanding exertion of preparing a meal. But what would tomorrow bring?

CHAPTER THIRTY

Team members were scheduled for last minute physicals, and it was with great concern and disappointment that Alicia, the women’s presupposed leader, was found to have a blood disorder needing immediate treatment, precluding her from making the trip. Jonas contacted his people and a new recruit was on her way. Not having the personal input with her selection, he was apprehensive about the Council’s choice. They wholeheartedly reassured him that their selection was appropriate and chosen because of her skills and background. They neglected to identify those skills but Jonas trusted their decision and waited impatiently for her appearance.

The anxiously awaited confirmation finally arrived. Bethany notified Jonas that everything was in readiness for their departure. Working around the clock, adjusting, modifying and recalculating Miles’ projections, she was finally satisfied with her end product. Tomorrow, Tuesday, they would step through the door and into the past. Far bigger than any transport she had attempted before, Bethany was anxiety-stricken but convinced that she had done the best possible job. Though they had been on red alert for the past few weeks, the team spent the remaining time repacking and rechecking every little item. The new recruit was scheduled to arrive today and Jonas was rightly concerned about her obvious un-preparedness for the journey.

A jeep arrived in the quadrant and a small and very young woman stepped out, struggling with a myriad of suitcases, boxes and equipment. Long, dark brown hair was pulled in a haphazard bun atop her head, her clothing rumpled and in disarray.

Jonas stepped out into the sun, strolling casually down the short staircase in front of the visitors’ quarters. She glanced up and a shy smile lit her face, adding weight to her appearance as an overstressed urchin.

“Mr. Whitehead, I presume?” She offered a small, grubby hand. His heart sinking, Jonas perused his newest addition. From outward appearances, she left much to be desired.

Whitehead? “White…horse—not whitehead.” Made him sound like a big zit or something. “How old are you?” He barked abruptly.

Startled, she withdrew the hand, hesitating slightly. “I’m 25. I know. I look younger than I am, but I’m really 24, er, I mean 25.”

“So which is it—24 or 25?” From the looks of her, she was younger than even 24.

Horn-rimmed glasses sat heavily on her small, up-tilted nose, her eyes blinking owlishly through the lenses.

“You can’t wear glasses where we’re going,” gruffly Jonas laid it out.

“These?” She questioned, pushing them up into place. “They’re just for show. I think they make me look more intelligent—don’t you?”

Groaning in frustration, Jonas stomped up the stairs, calling over his shoulder. “No, they don’t! Get your butt up here and let’s talk.”

“My name’s Allison Reynolds. Allie for short,” she called. Dragging her gear behind her, she stumbled up the stairs, elated at being here but disturbed by the leader’s cold reception. No one told her he would be so rude and unfriendly! Bursting through the door, she dropped everything in one loud thump. Jonas turned around, his face frowning in disgust.

“Do you always make so much noise?” he questioned.

“Uh, no, but I’m not generally carrying so much at one time.” He hadn’t made any offers to help and he certainly looked imposing standing there. He was at least six feet four inches and built like a bull—not someone she would care to run into in some dark corner.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“Of course! One of your female team members couldn’t complete the mission and I was selected as an alternate. I have all the qualifications and the deep desire to participate.” She tried smiling again, perhaps he was starting to thaw.

“You don’t look old enough or big enough to add anything to the team.” Dismissing her indifferently, he turned away.

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to prove myself.” Rolling her neck and stretching, she regarded him coolly. “Where’s the workout room?”

His eyes gleamed and a wolfish grin spread across his face. “You going to show me anything good?”

“And maybe a little bit more,” she nodded complacently. The bigger they were, the harder they fell!

“Okay, but it’s your funeral. I don’t go down easy.”

Grinning back, she refused to back down. “Neither do I. Are we just going to stand here jawing, or are you ready to learn a lesson?”

“Lead on, McDuff,” he directed, secretly pleased with her spunk. If this little bit of girl thought she could handle him, she must be smoking crack.

They entered the workout room. The only team members present were Geena and Micah—the majority were off elsewhere making last minute preparations for the trip—and the physical workout they were engaging in didn’t have anything to do with exercise in the regular sense. Jumping guiltily apart, they pretended to be involved in something else but their pretense was easily read.

“Having fun?” Jonas jeered softly, then changed gears. “This little lady is our new team member—calls herself Allie. She’s going to teach me a lesson.”

Geena’s mouth fell open and a large guffaw burst forth. “Allie, if that’s your name, you just picked a fight you can’t win.”

Primly, Allie stepped onto the mat, bending and squatting to loosen stiff and tired muscles. “Lessons come in many books. This one is a lesson in preconceived notions and how they can seriously affect the outcome of life. It makes no matter if I win or lose, the lesson is in the trying.”

“You sound like some eastern mystic or something,” Micah chortled rudely. “I think the only lesson to be learned is how fast you get your butt kicked.”

Jonas slipped out of his shoes and stepped onto the mat, flexing his muscles, using intimidation as a tool. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he needed to know what she could and would do to win. She seemed even smaller standing there on the mat, her look one of casual assessment.

“Make your move, Jackie Chan,” Jonas taunted her, flicking his eyes towards their audience, amused by his own witticism. Too late, he realized his mistake. Never turn your back for a moment on any antagonist. He hadn’t seen anyone move as fast as this little girl—and that high kick to his right rib didn’t please him either! Emitting a small “woof,” he staggered back, amazement registering in every line of his face. “Ouch! Why you…”

Allie danced and dodged, never moving any closer nor farther away, always just beyond his reach. Deciding to end this quickly, he moved in and was rewarded with a roundhouse kick, expertly and efficiently well-placed. She scored again! Micah and Geena heckled from the sidelines, clearly enjoying what they considered his comeuppance. Time to end this little charade! Centering himself, he feinted to the right and as she took the advantage, he caught her flashing heel, flipping her roughly to the ground and pinning her. His watchers groaned in disgust.

Victory was his, he thought, as the heel of her hand slammed into his lower jaw, cracking his teeth together and causing him to bite his tongue. Jesus H. Christ! He was seeing stars with that one. Digging her fingers into his eyes, she then tried to blind him. He rolled back in defense and she leapt to her feet, hard kicks and sharp jabs accompanying every move. The little whirlwind came at him from every side, no holds barred, even biting him at one point. He was reminded of an enraged Chihuahua.

Finally, by his sheer size alone, he was able to grab and hold her down, even then she refused to yield.

“Okay, okay!” Jonas growled as she fought on. “You proved your point, but you don’t fight fair.”

From her position beneath him on the mat, Allie regarded him calmly, smirking at his concession. “I fight to win.”

Up close and without the ugly glasses, her eyes were a beautiful, clear green, gold speckles flecking through the irises. Shaking off unwelcome emotions, he returned to the present. Grudging respect for her determination and prowess welled up. “That’s what I needed to know. What else do you do?”

Wiggling free of his weight, she stood to her full five foot two inches height. “What do I do? Why, I’m the midwife!”

“Midwife! We need a midwife like we need a hole in the head. Why do we need a midwife?”

Geena chuckled, stepping in and answering for Allie. “Let’s do the numbers! We have sixteen men and women, all within childbearing years, going back to a time where contraception isn’t even heard of yet, and you wonder why we need a midwife? I, for one, am extremely pleased she’s going along.” Micah appreciatively leered at Geena’s behind, nodding in agreement.

Jonas’ face flushed, forgetting for the moment where and when they would soon be. “I didn’t think of that. Good somebody did,” he acknowledged. They would be a long way from home and with few comforts and a midwife would most definitely be a welcome addition. Reaching out, he took Allie’s hand, shaking on the deal. “Welcome to the team. We leave in the morning.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

It had been five days since the attack on the village, thus far, none of the newcomers had ventured near the shelter and it appeared luck was with them. Nathan’s wound was healing well. He was still weak, but growing stronger with every passing day. Riley’s job became the sole provider, making stealthy trips into the open, checking Nathan’s trap line for any doomed small game animals. She had even made a few surreptitious trips to the cave where Nathan’s animals were penned, feeding them and hastily cleaning it out. She didn’t dare spend much time outside in the event the newcomers happened upon them and it was with pounding heart and baited breath that she ventured out each time. Demon accompanied her, but even with his stalwart presence, she was vastly relieved each time they returned.

Reality was a hard taskmaster and the art of survival took on new meaning. Now, along with her regular daily schedule, she included a vigorous practice session, and with each day, her skill with the bow and arrow, throwing knives and miscellaneous weaponry Nathan maintained, grew accordingly. Though still far from expert, she was becoming comfortable with the weight and feel of the weapons and had even acquired a certain measure of accuracy. Xena, Princess Warrior she was not, but she was learning.

Nathan made a concerted effort to get back on his feet as well. Forcing himself to take small walks around the cave area and, eventually, out into the open left him breathless and wavering on his feet. He, more than Riley, knew how important it was to get back to full fighting strength. If the newcomers had indeed taken up residence in the others’ village, it was only a matter of time before their position was discovered. He frequently brought up the subject with Riley of finding a new territory, and tried to impress upon her the magnitude of the endeavor without alarming her too much. She was still new to the game and he didn’t want to stress her unduly, but she needed to see the whole picture. Nathan prayed they would have enough time for him to heal before that possible outcome.

He carefully planned their escape route and went over the details time and time again with her. Essentials were packed and weapons readied in the event of an emergency exit, storing most of the gear in the rear tunnel for just such a contingency. His animals would have to be freed and, unfortunately, they probably wouldn’t survive on their own, but the little horse would be a Godsend if what he feared occurred before he healed completely. At best, he would only be able to walk by himself, carrying a pack was out of the question. The horse, on the other hand, had been trained from the beginning as a pack animal. When he broached the subject of butchering some of the sheep, or alternatively, releasing them, Riley was horrified, and after a heated argument, they came to a workable understanding that they would at least try to take the ram and two of the younger ewes and release the rest. Riley was adamant, though, that they wait until the last possible moment before releasing the little flock. All of her charges had become pets in the short time she had been caring for them. She also understood that if circumstances happened otherwise, the animals would be left to their own defenses.

Given that she was forcing the issue, it was up to her to train the three sheep to lead ropes. As time was of the essence, there was no reason to wait. Riley cornered the ram first, his horns suddenly larger than life. He was curious and apprehensive, but allowed her to approach, sniffing warily in her direction. The ewes and lambs cowered by him, seeking his protection.

“Settle down, guys,” Riley crooned, slowly approaching the group. “I am not going…to…hurt…you.”

The ram recognized her scent and allowed her to get within reach. Nathan had mentioned that grabbing the ram by the horns would calm the animal down and it sounded so easy when he said it. Some major damage could be done with those horns if the ram decided to charge. Throat dry, Riley continued talking softly, assuring the nervous flock of her good intentions. Several of the ewes became agitated and within seconds, the entire group was running around in circles, bleating hysterically as the ram pawed the ground, preparing to charge. Fearfully, Riley backed up against the cave wall, talking softly, her attention focused solely on the ram.

A short time later, Riley returned to the main shelter, dirty, bruised and limping slightly, but triumphant. She had succeeded in harnessing the ram and two of the ewes, and had decided the best course of action was just to leave them alone for awhile and let them get used to the feel of the harness. Tomorrow, she would work on teaching them to follow the lead rope. Impressed, Nathan tried to pry the whole story out of her, but her lips were firmly sealed. There was no chance she was going to admit that her leg was sore from repeatedly kicking the ram as he charged, while still managing several times to butt her squarely. They couldn’t save the whole flock, but at least some would survive, and they could build another one when the time was right.

The thought of leaving the protection of the shelter left Riley cold. This had been her home for many months and it had been, for the greater part, a happy one. She had never really felt part of a family before now and, for all intents and purposes, Nathan and Demon were her family and the shelter was their home. Life outside the shelter was scary, and it would be some time before they found another cave that sufficed. Nathan knew of other caves in the surrounding area, but they were not far enough away from the newcomers. At the least, they could hole up in one of them for awhile if flight became necessary. Just the idea put Riley’s nerves on edge and caused her to be more testy than normal. She had been more testy than normal lately anyway, and her period was late.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Eight days had passed since the attack on the others’ encampment. Riley’s daily trips to the animal enclosure were tense and accomplished as swiftly as possible. The ram and two selected ewes were adjusting to their halters reasonably well and Riley took heart in the fact that they had accepted the new change in their condition with few complaints. She refused to think about the animals being left behind. Certain death was all that awaited them and she was too tenderhearted to dwell on that outcome.

Other than a few distant glimpses now and then of other animals lurking in the wild, her trips to the animal compound were generally uneventful. Nathan drilled her constantly on being aware of her surroundings every second and to note even the smallest changes in the environment. As a result, her eyes were continuously moving, seeking any differences or abnormalities, and unwillingly investigating those not easily identified. Being away from Nathan and the shelter terrified her and it was with pounding heart and dry mouth that she returned to the cave each time. Demon was her constant companion on these excursions and, if not for him, she doubted she would have had the fortitude or bravado to venture out alone.

Riley left the shelter early one morning to visit the animal pen, deciding to get the chore completed and spend the rest of the day working out and honing her battle skills. As she strode briskly along, her face flushed with pleasure at the morning’s remembrances…

* * *

Tickling her awake with a feather, Nathan’s laughing eyes were the first things she saw. A lazy smile softened his otherwise rugged features, his lips sensuous and inviting.

“You’re certainly awake early,” Riley grouched, once again wishing for an invigorating cup of coffee, unavailable in this lifetime.

Nuzzling her neck and enjoying her woman scent, he admitted. “I’ve been awake for awhile, just watching you sleep.”

Embarrassed, she smoothed her wild locks, wishing she had a mirror and some mouthwash. “That had to be wildly exciting.”

“Being near you is always exciting. I’m excited now, can’t you tell?” Grinning evilly, he drew her unresisting hand down to the bulge at the juncture of his thighs. Clearly he was healing well! His hands roamed over her sleep warmed flesh, cupping her breasts, his tongue nuzzling one peaked nipple. Rolling on top of her, he forced her knees apart and settled between her sleek thighs, rolling his hips and rocking gently against her womanhood. Riley sighed in abandonment. This beat a cup of coffee any day of the week. Nathan’s engorged member slid into her warm recesses while his fingers spun small circles, stroking her secret places and increasing her tension almost immediately.

“Got time for a quickie?” He asked innocently, all the while continuing his efforts to bring her closer to exploding.

Barely able to speak, Riley gasped as tremors started along the walls of her sheath. “Uhm…yeah!” She gasped out. “Do you?”

“Most certainly,” he grinned. “Or not so quickie if that’s the way you want it.”

Riley clutched him tighter, grinding her hips against him. “Whatever! Just don’t stop.”

That was all the encouragement he needed, pounding into her until they both exploded in white hot release. Panting, she floated, semiconsciously relaxing as her senses returned to earth. Sex with Nathan just got more stimulating and exciting each time. Smiling, she considered that if it kept up, by the time she was 30, she wouldn’t be able to think for days after a good roll in the hay. What a tragic future that would be!

Reluctantly, she climbed out of bed, immediately regretting the loss of the welcome warmth of the animal skins.

“I think I’ll make the trip to the pens this morning,” Nathan commented too casually. He seemed healthier, more color to his face, his shoulder was healing nicely and he was able to walk greater distances without tiring overmuch.

“Not yet,” Riley objected. “Give it a few more days and then we’ll see.”

“If I’m able to service you, then I’m perfectly capable of walking down to the pens and checking the animals. I’m going stir-crazy as it is sitting around all day.” Pulling on his leggings, he made to stand up, determined to taking charge.

“Servicing me? Is that what you call it?” She grinned over her shoulder. “If you don’t relax for another day, I’ll tie you up and have my way with you.”

“You and who else? It would take more than a girl to take me.” He might argue that he was feeling better, but Riley was convinced that one more day wouldn’t hurt.

“I think my chances are pretty good right now,” she quipped. “And Demon would protect me, wouldn’t you, boy?” The dog wagged his tail in response, clearly agreeing with her.

Nathan scowled at the dog. “Traitor! You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“He is on your side, that’s why you are staying here. He knows an invalid when he sees one.”

“Invalid! Who are you calling an invalid? I’m just slightly incapacitated right now. I’m sure there are a thousand other women around here who would appreciate my physical capabilities,” he boasted.

“Oh, yeah? Show me two—or even one for that matter.” Laughing, Riley dressed quickly, knowing that if she didn’t act fast, he would be out the door before she could stop him. “Be a good boy and have breakfast ready when I get back.” Waving, she hurried out the entrance before he had time to object.

* * *

Uneasiness trickled through every facet of her being, dark foreboding rendering her breathless and overanxious. With each step, her anxiety increased. The tree line loomed dark and sinister and every sound caused her no small amount of trepidation. What she wouldn’t give for a nicely balanced .357 or, better yet, an elephant gun! Most of the animals in this reality would easily warrant such a gun and it would certainly alleviate some of her fears. The weapons she carried were, from her viewpoint, barely sufficient and not nearly threatening enough. The only distance weapon was the bow and her accuracy with that was chancy at best. The rest were designed for close encounters, and since her only companion right now was Demon, she preferred not to think about such a happening unless and until one actually presented itself. Those types of imaginings only increased her apprehension. Again, visions of elephant guns whispered through her brain. Regrettably, it would be thousands of years before the advent of such a weapon. The darn thing would probably weigh a ton and she wouldn’t be able to shoot it anyway. Sighing in resignation, she forced herself forward, one foot in front of the other, her eyes roaming the scenery, seeking that which she most feared.

Demon trotted alongside. He seemed uneasy as well and repeatedly sniffed the air, his ears twitching as every new sound drew his attention, hackles springing up along his spine in response. Thankfully, the trip to the animal cave was only a short distance, and no threats were encountered along the way. Riley paused before entering, her eyes making a clean sweep of the outlying area, mindful of Nathan’s warnings.

Clouds were rolling in, harbingers of bad weather, pressing Riley to renew her haste to return to the protection of the shelter. There was no real reason for her uneasiness, but something just wasn’t quite right. Demon refused to stay in one place, alternately showing interest in her endeavors, and pacing near the entrance to the animal pen, his agitation openly apparent. The animals were quickly fed and new grass strewn about and, with nothing further to do, she made the decision to head back to the main shelter, briefly hesitating before leaving the deeper recesses of the cave and stepping into the open. It was that one moment of hesitation which was their salvation. Demon growled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest, his hackles springing stiff and menacing. Her heart thudding rapidly, Riley quickly scanned the perimeter. To the north, outlined against the skyline, several figures moved south in a steady line along the ridge, seemingly unaware of her presence.

Dropping immediately to the ground and scuttling crablike behind some large rocks positioned near the entrance to the cave, she motioned Demon to follow. Cautiously, she rose up, just enough to peer around a smaller rock, hoping for a clearer view. She counted five individuals. They were rambling unhurriedly along, periodically gesturing towards the direction of the main shelter, stopping often to talk and even argue. It was obvious they weren’t expecting company and Riley was not going to do anything to change that presumption. Her stomach in knots, Riley held her breath in anticipation of the moment when they would enter the tree line and out of view for a short span of time. If she was lucky, they wouldn’t be able to spot her either and she could make her way back to the main cave. They were still too far to the east to be a danger, but if they kept going, they would be within shouting distance of the main cave.

Praying softly to quell the panic threatening to overwhelm her, Riley inhaled deeply, counting the seconds and planning her next move. When the last of the five entered the covering trees, Riley sprinted towards the brush along the path to the shelter, keeping low, one hand on Demon’s neck, for comfort and reassurance that he followed. No answering shouts accompanied their flight, gaining the blanket of trees and bushes within seconds, where she crouched, her pulse racing in response to the adrenalin rush, breaths coming in gasps.

Staying low, she watched the horizon, nervously awaiting their next appearance, which came almost immediately. Closer now, she was able to make out some details. They were definitely from the newcomers’ group, fierce-looking and totally primitive, an abundance of weapons displayed by each individual. Their appearance alone scared the crap out of her and it took little imagination to figure out what they would do if she were captured. Fearful that Demon would go on the attack, Riley tightened her hold, admonishing him softly to stay. The newcomers’ halted for awhile, their attention drawn to the north, and overlooking the river below. Riley took that opportunity to retreat further, careful to cover her tracks in case the newcomers chanced upon them. Crouching low, she ran through the brush abutting the path, Demon silently striding by her side, circling around in an attempt to reach the rear tunnel into the cave.

Sprinting through the dense foliage, Riley covered ground as fast as possible without leaving undue signs of passage. Not wanting to chance inadvertently revealing herself and fearful that one of the newcomers might have tracked her back to the main shelter, Riley paused, hunkering down to scan the area before approaching the back entrance. Demon remained at her side, exhibiting no signs that anyone or thing skulked nearby. After a few minutes, satisfied that they had arrived undetected, she warily approached the cave entrance. Nathan would be waiting at the main doorway, and she debated on how to alert him that she was outside the rear tunnel. Picking up a large stone, she made one rap on the rock wall, hoping it would not draw unwanted attention. Within seconds, the door slid open and Nathan cautiously edged out.

Throwing herself into his arms, her limbs shaking from exertion and tension, Riley chattered breathlessly, “They’re looking for us, I know they are!”

“Shhhhhh,” he soothed, caressing her back comfortingly and drawing her into the tunnel. “I know. I was outside the front entrance and I spotted them. I’ve been waiting for you, hoping you would return by the rear doorway. Do you think they saw you?”

She hesitated, her mind reviewing the earlier encounter. “I don’t think so, but I can’t be sure. When I first saw them, they were quite far out and not really looking in my direction. I stayed hidden until they entered the tree line and then rushed back here. I stayed off the path, too, so I wouldn’t leave as many tracks.”

Moving the rock wall back into place, he nodded approvingly. “You did good!” They followed the meandering path back to the pool room of the cave. “I think it’s time we move all the supplies by the rear entrance. We need to bring the horse up as well, but I’ll do that after nightfall. Less chance I’ll run into any of them.”

“You should bring the sheep back, too.”

“No, we can pick them up if we have to leave. We’ll leave by the southern route anyway, and they’ll be happier in their normal surroundings. The horse has been in here numerous times. I figured he’d better get used to the smell and feel of it just in case.”

Her eyes were huge, reflecting her fear. “How will we survive out there? It’s hard enough in here. This is our home.”

Gathering her close, Nathan offered what small consolation he could. “We’ll be okay. I won’t let anything hurt you. I’ve been in trouble before and lived to tell about it and I’m not about to change now.”

Comforted by his nearness, Riley forced down her misgivings. Better to face whatever happens than living in terror of what could happen. Determinedly, she stepped back, smoothed her hair, and began the task of moving the packs and supplies.

“I can do that.” Nathan moved to help.

“No…you…can’t! You need to save your strength. I can at least do this if you’re going after the horse, and you need to rest before you go.”

Reluctantly, Nathan conceded. He was feeling better every day, but his strength was still far from 100%. That Riley was allowing him to go after the horse was in itself amazing. She’d babied him constantly and did everything so that he had a chance to heal.

Proudly, and with love flooding his being, he covertly watched Riley as she labored. She was a woman made for a man such as he and he treasured her. A small feeling of guilt nagged his conscious. He had never felt this way about Emily. Theirs was a first love, pure and unsullied by life’s problems. Riley was his soul-mate, if such a thing existed, a forever-type love. Silently, he apologized to Emily, finally letting her memory go. She would understand, he thought, life was for the living.

Riley turned to him. “Lay your butt down and get some rest or I’ll go after the horse myself.” Her threat held little weight, but to appease her, he settled down to rest until night.

Riley had no intention of telling Nathan until the last moment that she was accompanying him. He’d fight her tooth and nail on this one but, if something happened and she wasn’t there to help, she’d never forgive herself. Better to be with him than to die alone—not that dying in any context was appealing, but certainly not alone.

Moving the packs and supplies took some time and the normalcy of those chores helped to ease some of Riley’s anxiety. Once she had all the equipment moved, she fixed some dinner and then sat down to wait. Nathan came into the kitchen area, looking rested, his face still somewhat pale, but better.

“I’m going to leave just after dark. I suspect they will either go back to the main camp or shelter down soon. I don’t think there’s much chance they’ll camp near here, and I should be able to get to the animal pen and back without any problems.” He sat down and began eating. Riley watched for a few minutes before dropping the bombshell.

Firmly, and without reservation, she stated, “I’m coming with you.”

Startled, he glanced up scowling. “Not on your life. I can make better time alone.”

“Probably. But I’m still coming with you.” Refusing to back down, she pressed on. “If something happens, it happens to both of us, and I’m going.”

“But I’m more used to this environment and I don’t need the extra hassle of protecting you, too.”

“I won’t be a hassle!” She cried, affronted by his unwarranted attack. “I’m going, either with you or, if you leave me, the minute you’re gone, I’ll follow.”

Frustrated, Nathan raked his fingers through his hair. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I won’t be left behind! If something happened to you, I wouldn’t survive anyway and I’d rather be with you.” Her face reflected her anguish.

Gravely, Nathan considered her demand and, finally, accepting defeat, he nodded his acceptance. “I can understand. I hate it every time you go out alone, and I almost get sick with worry each time.”

“Why would you think I would feel any different,” she questioned. “Because I’m a woman?”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” he defended himself. “I guess I’m just old school—women need protecting.”

“Well, guess what, Cave Man! Where I come from, it’s the 21st Century and women don’t look to men for protection. We take care of ourselves!”

“I know, I know,” he muttered, searching for the right words. “But cut me some slack. It’s not the 21st Century! What century is it, by the way?”

“Don’t try to change the subject. Just accept the fact that I’m your partner and partners help each other,” she almost growled in exasperation.

“Uh, sorry. I wasn’t trying to be difficult, just trying to resign myself.”

Somewhat mollified, she sniffed. “Well, okay, but don’t forget next time, because I’m sure there will be a next time, and next time I might not be so easy on you.”

“If you’re going, get ready! Cover up as much as possible, the mosquitoes will be out in hordes. Stay behind me all the time and if I tell you to do something, do it fast, with no arguments. I won’t tell you twice. Do you understand?”

Swallowing hard, Riley nodded, relieved that she had won the fight so easily. “Whatever you say. I won’t argue.” She hurried to make the necessary preparations, keeping a close eye on Nathan just in case it was a ruse on his part to get past her defenses. Soon, dressed and ready, she waited expectantly by the rear tunnel as Nathan gathered his weapons.

“Here,” he tossed a knife and short, lethal looking club to her. “Take these with you and use them if you have to.”

Riley stashed the knife in her boot strap and hefted the club, testing its weight and balance. A slight grin creased Nathan’s stern mouth. She looked like a warrior woman of old, but still soft and womanly. He knew from experience that she could hold her own, but whether she would in a fight to the death was still a concern.

Satisfied that the club could deal some punishment, Riley started down the tunnel, her heart in her mouth. Even though she professed to be ready, her skin crawled at actually leaving the shelter. Stopping, she turned and perused the small cavern, wondering if they would ever return.

“Don’t worry,” Nathan reassured her, seeing her indecision. “Tonight will be just a quick stroll in the old primordial garden. We’ll be back in time to watch ‘Saturday Night Live’.”

Chuckling softly, though a lump formed in her throat, Riley joined in the light banter. “Are you sure it’s Saturday night—and we have a TV where?”

“Well, I might be wrong on the day of the week, but I’m sure there’s a TV somewhere around here. I seem to remember watching one.” Nathan stepped into the tunnel, Demon at his heels. “Let’s get this showboat on the river.”

Total darkness blanketed the land as they stepped out into the vast expanse. Stars lit the sky in a jubilant display and night sounds wafted on a strong breeze blowing from the north. Predators distantly screamed their challenge and bats flew erratically through the trees, squeaking as they careened around obstacles. Brushes rustled as a small animal scurried away, seeking refuge in the denser scrub. Demon sniffed curiously, but took the lead, unconcerned by the creature’s movements. Nathan fell in behind Demon and Riley followed, growing more apprehensive with each step away from the shelter. Nervous, she reached out, holding onto Nathan’s tunic, taking comfort in that small gesture. Heightened senses kept her on the alert as they ventured forth. Demon trotted ahead, easily maneuvering through the brush, the trail to the animal pen stamped indelibly in his brain. Nathan stopped abruptly and Riley slammed into him, holding her breath in anticipation of some unknown threat.

“Just checking,” Nathan whispered. “Don’t want any surprises. Stay close.”

Like she would do anything else! Given half a chance, she would wrap herself around him and hold on for dear life. The distance to the animal shelter seemed to stretch further than normal tonight. What seemed like a ten minute jog earlier now seemed like forever, the darkness concealing untold hazards and obscuring visuals for more than a few yards. Riley breathed a silent prayer, asking that the journey end quickly and happily. Hours passed, or so it seemed, until they finally entered the animals’ enclosure. In all total, it was probably less than fifteen minutes. Softly nickering, the horse nuzzled Nathan for a treat, the sheep bleating in unison. Riley hurriedly tossed down some dry grass for the sheep and without any wasted time, Nathan led the horse out, stopping at the last moment to pen the sheep in. The horse pranced in unease but otherwise cooperated. They began the journey back, led by Demon’s unerring sense of direction. Demon growled as some large animal crashed through the brush, running away from their position.

“Probably just a deer or elk,” Nathan’s soft voice broke the silence. “If it was anything else, Demon would let us know.”

Riley’s knees shook, the strain of the last while taking its toll. The only thing on her mind was the safety of the shelter and their soon hoped for arrival. She was practically at meltdown status when Nathan stopped at the entrance to the rear tunnel. He’d left it slightly open pending their return, and he cautiously nudged Demon forward through the opening. Satisfied that nothing lurked in the dark recesses, Nathan gave the lead rope to Riley while he secured the cave entrance. The horse balked at being led into the dark tunnel, made skittish by her contact and the strong scent of the dog in the confined space. Riley held on tightly as he jerked on the lead rope, backing up and trying to break free, his eyes bulging as he tried to snap at her.

“Nathan! Do something!” she yelped, as the horse stomped down, barely missing a big toe in the process.

“Relax! He can’t do much in here anyway. Grab his ears and hold on.”

“Hold his ears?”

“Yeah, that’ll calm him down somewhat.” Sure enough, when she gathered enough courage to do the deed, the horse settled down. Nathan crooned to him from the dark, his voice soothing and soft.

“He’s better. Sheesh! I thought he was going to bite me,” she complained, scratching behind the horse’s ears.

“He’s not really too used to you yet and this is all pretty unnerving. I’m sure he senses our tension and that makes him more nervous, too.” Nathan took the lead from her, pulling the now docile animal down the tunnel.

“Where are you going to put him?” Hopefully not in the sleeping area, she thought.

“In the outer cave room. I doubt very much they’ll attack tonight, and he’ll be fine in there until we have to leave.”

“Do you really believe they’ll attack?” Her voice echoed depressingly.

They entered the pool room, the horse taking the opportunity to drink. “Yes, I do. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but they wouldn’t be here if they weren’t looking for us. There’s really nothing up here to interest them. All the really good fishing and hunting areas are below and that’s why I opted to live up here, it’s harder to access.”

Nathan busied himself stabling the horse in the outer chamber, and by the time that small chore was completed, he was ashen-faced, staggering slightly as he re-entered the sleeping area. Alarmed, Riley forced him to lie down, worrying that he had over-taxed himself and reopened the wound.

“I could’ve taken care of the horse.” Scolding wouldn’t help, but it made her feel better. A quick check on his shoulder reassured her that the injury was still closed.

“You’re already chief cook, bottle washer and manual laborer. Didn’t think I should make you stable boy as well.” Nathan eased himself back on the bed, grimacing as he made contact with the pillows.

“Yeah, well, the more appropriate term in my case would be ‘stable girl’!” Busying herself pulling off his boots and helping him undress, she ground her teeth in frustration at his stubborn insistence on doing things himself.

Reaching for the long braid that draped across her shoulder, he tugged gently. “I wouldn’t mind a little roll in the hay, stable girl.”

Irritated, she slapped his hand away, but couldn’t prevent a small grin from escaping. “I bet you wouldn’t! Anyone in particular or will any warm body do?”

“Ouch!” he grumbled, “wounded again!”

“Why is it when a man is sick or he gets hurt, all he can think about is sex?” She turned away, intending to end the conversation so he would rest.

“It’s our own special way of ensuring propagation of the species.” He sounded so reasonable and a quick look confirmed he was using his most convincing “innocent” expression.

“Get some rest before I do something to make sure you can’t propagate.”

Flouncing away, she smiled in spite of herself. Realization hit with smashing force as she entered the kitchen area. This could quite possibly be the last night they shared the protection and warmth of the cave, and the loss of that middling level of security was bleak and disheartening. Seeking protection among friends and family was not in the cards and all they really had was each other. Nathan would fight to the death to protect her, but if he didn’t survive, there would be nothing left worth living for. The future seemed cosmically uncertain and worry sat heavily on her shoulders. As if sensing her troubled thoughts, Demon nudged her hand, his dark eyes questioning and concerned.

“We’ll take care of him, won’t we, boy? They aren’t going to get us without a fight.” Scratching his ears, she longed to bury her face in his fur and cry. Demon whined, licking her hand, offering what little comfort he could.

Riley continued petting and scratching the huge dog, his fortitude and courage reflected in his animal eyes. “You aren’t worried, are you? As long as you can be with Nathan, all’s right with your world.” The dog really was a big comfort. Shaking off her morbid thoughts, Riley determinedly put on hold any feelings of uncertainty and loss. Tomorrow would bring what tomorrow would bring and nothing she did tonight would change that. Her stomach growled in protest, attesting to the fact that dinner time had come and gone. Deciding to enjoy what time she had left in their home, Riley took the opportunity to prepare a special dinner, waiting until the last moment to wake Nathan.

Even with her determined efforts, dinner was a subdued affair. Conversation was scarce and, other than the obvious, it was hard to find something to talk about. Who really cared how the weather looked or what needed to be done. Those items were better left to another time and place. Riley was finding it hard to eat in any event. A huge lump formed in her throat, permitting her to swallow only with difficulty, opting instead to spend the time watching Nathan eat, treasuring those mundane movements. She couldn’t fathom losing him now, he was such an integral part of life and envisioning life without him just wasn’t possible. Tears blurred her eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. Nathan glanced up, his actions stilled by the look on her face. He reached out, grasping her hand and pulling it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the palm.

“We’ll be okay. Just believe that.”

A small sob escaped. “I want to, but I’m so afraid.”

“I’m always prepared and I’ve stocked the lower caves with provisions over the years for just such a contingency. We can survive down there for months and maybe, just maybe, they’ll move on and we can return.”

“Do you really think so?” Her lips trembled and one small tear slid down her cheek.

“Yes, I do. From what I observed, there aren’t any women or children with the newcomers and I didn’t see anything to indicate family groups would be joining them later on. I think this is just a raiding party and when they get tired of hanging around here, they’ll find someplace else to go.”

Heatedly, anger replaced the fear. “Then why don’t they just go now and leave us alone?”

Gently caressing her hand, rubbing circles with his thumb, Nathan stated the undeniable, “Because they like the hunt and right now, they’re hunting us.”

Slumping in despair, Riley cried, “I hate that! Hunting us! Why are they hunting us? We don’t have anything!”

“We exist, and in what they now consider as their territory. Ancients were pretty specific on what they considered the borders of their hunting grounds. Think about the American Indians, for example.”

Mulling that concept over for a few seconds, Riley reluctantly agreed with the comparison. Boundaries were formed by those who took what they wanted, leaving little for those unwilling or unable to fight for supremacy.

Nathan broke her reverie. “Tomorrow, we’ll load up the horse and move to the lower caves. I doubt they will track us just for pleasure and it’s pretty much out of their way to go down there. Hopefully, they’ll get the idea that we don’t want to fight and are just vacating the area. We can hold out until they leave.”

“I hope so,” she whispered. “I really do, but I have this awful feeling something really bad is going to happen.”

Pushing a loose curl back from her face, Nathan cupped her chin, gazing into her eyes. “I won’t let anything happen to you! Do you understand what I am saying?”

Tearfully, Riley nodded her head, total trust reflected in her watery eyes. “Just don’t let anything happen to you, either.”

“Or the dog,” he grinned.

“Or the dog,” she agreed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Tuesday had finally arrived and the team anxiously passed the time until departure, impatiently pacing and fidgeting, excited but nervous. Bags and supplies had been packed for days and everything was in readiness to go. Bethany had calculated and recalculated and was 99.99% positive her figures were correct. That one little percentile still left her with uneasy feelings, but it was either today or never.

Following Bethany’s discovery of Miles’ treachery, Jonas pulled in his computer-expert cousin to aid Dr. Collins. Miles sat at his usual station, sullen and resentful, frequently clearing his throat and glancing nervously around. Bethany hurriedly educated the new recruit as to Miles’ function regarding the specifics of the computer program functions, positioning him behind Miles with instructions to watch his every move. One small error or last minute change could drastically alter her hard won results.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Bethany called as she dashed out the lab door. “I’ve got one last minute thing to do.”

Jonas sauntered casually away from the main group, motioning his cousin to join him, wanting to reiterate the course to be followed after the team departed. “You know what to do,” he breathed.

Nodding, his eyes focused on Miles, his cousin replied softly so as to prevent curious ears from overhearing. “After everything is shut down, we take fat boy there for a long ride.”

Jonas smirked. “Don’t hurt him too much, just take him as far away as you can into the back country and leave him. If he makes it back, fine. Bethany sent all the incriminating records to her attorney and the feds can deal with him. If he doesn’t…well, shit happens. Just make sure he doesn’t know who the kidnappers are.”

His cousin chuckled. “I called in a few favors from some friends who just happen to have some experience, and they were happy to oblige.”

Satisfied that everything would be taken care of, Jonas hugged his cousin and returned to the main group.

“Are we ever going to get this boat on the river,” Micah fumed. “I can’t stand this waiting.”

“Quit your whining!” Geena punched him sharply. “I’d rather they took their time and did it right. Otherwise, we might end up either dead or in limbo somewhere.”

Several team members voiced their agreement with Geena’s observation, adding their own comments and opinions. Most, if not all, were more than willing to wait however long to assure themselves that everything was copasetic.

Micah huffed rudely and turned away. Jonas decided to keep an eye on him—not because he didn’t have total confidence in Micah’s abilities, but because he was showing signs of overstressing. Once they were underway, he’d better settle down or Jonas would make sure he did.

“Do I have time to make one last phone call?”

Jonas turned, seeking the voice. Standing there, dressed in leathers and covered with antique-appearing weaponry and gear, Allie looked even shorter than normal. No longer did she sport the intelligence-making glasses, her small face overshadowed by her huge eyes. She looked somewhat like a lost child.

“I told you to have everything completed by the time you entered the lab,” he informed her harshly. “I don’t make those demands lightly.”

“I didn’t think you did,” she retorted, “but I forgot to call the lady who adopted my cat to let her know what his favorite food is.”

Throwing up his hands in disgust, Jonas stalked away, muttering, “If the damn cat wants to eat, he’ll eat what’s there. Sheesh! What was the Council thinking of when they sent this one.” He almost made it to the door of the lab, but hesitated. “Go make your damn call, but you’d better be quick, we’re leaving shortly.” She scampered out, relief etched on her small features. All this for one stupid cat, he mentally grumbled. She did seem pleased by his concession though.

Bethany scurried in, dressed in leathers and carrying a pack of unknown contents.

“What’s going on,” Jonas demanded angrily.

She paused, catching her breath and readying for the storm she knew would brew. “I’m going with you.”

“Not on your life—no, you aren’t.” He objected heatedly.

“If I don’t go, none of you go,” she answered complacently. “It’s like that game show, deal or no deal.”

“This isn’t a game show and you aren’t the host. You…can’t…go! You aren’t prepared and you haven’t had the rigorous training necessary to survive.”

“I have you! And I’ve had all my shots and my health examination was excellent. That’s all the training and preparation I need. You might as well give up, I’m going or no one goes.” Smiling smugly, she decided the discussion was at an end.

“What brought this on?” he growled.

“There’s nothing left for me here. If this gets out, my career will be over anyway. Nathan is the only family I have and I might just find what I am looking for back there.”

“The only thing you will find is hardship and perhaps an early death.”

“So be it! That is what everyone in this team faces. I’m as fully capable of accepting those conditions as anyone here.” Resolve sharpened her features. She meant every word and nothing he said was going to change that.

“What about your calculations? Weren’t they made for only the team members?”

“I knew when I started that I would be joining you. I factored that in during the early stages.” She had covered everything, even to those items stored in her pack. More than one late night excursion into the storage area had facilitated her knowledge of the articles necessary for each individual and she had packed accordingly. Though not physically as able to withstand the hardships as the others, her determination would be her salvation.

“Why did you wait until the last moment to spring this on me?”

Shrugging, she replied. “Because I knew that if you had more time, I might not be able to convince you. This way, you really have no choice. You might as well accept it, if I don’t go, none of you go. It’s very simple.”

Allie took that moment to stumble in, knocking over a glass bottle during the process. Jonas whirled on her. “Learn to move quietly or stay away from me.” She cowered, nervously picking up the broken pieces, her face flaming red.

“Okay, everyone,” Bethany clapped her hands for attention, “time to go. If any of you have anything inappropriate for the time period we’ll be entering, now’s the time to get rid of it. We don’t want to take the chance of changing history, even a little bit.” She looked expectantly around the room, tapping her foot restlessly as various items were pulled from backpacks and pockets and tossed out.

Micah groaned as Jonas pulled a grenade from his side pack. “I don’t think they were using many of these things way back when.” Jonas tossed the grenade on the growing pile of discarded items. Motioning to one of the guards, he directed, “Make sure that thing’s secured after we leave.” The guard nodded, keeping his eyes on the ever-increasing stockpile. Jonas grinned, even with all the instructions they had been given over the last weeks, every one of the team members had some sort of contraband they thought to sneak along. He almost burst out laughing when Jeremy, one of the younger team members, dropped a small acetylene torch on the pile. “What did you expect to do with that?”

Embarrassed, his face red, Jeremy replied, “I was going to use it for metalworking.”

“Have you read up on the history of the times we are stepping into?” His lip curling in amusement, Jonas continued. “Metallurgy wasn’t even invented by the ancients until approximately 6,000 to 7,000 years ago. That’s quite a bit more than a few thousand years after the time period we expect to infiltrate.”

Unrepentant, Jeremy grinned, “I thought I’d get a jump on the rush.”

Shaking his head, Jonas waved him away, wondering how many more undetected items would be hidden until departure. Unless he did a strip search on every team member, there was no way to be certain. He had a few undisclosed items himself, but he wasn’t about to admit it to anyone.

Spinning unexpectedly, he caught a sly grin on Geena’s face. “Give it up, Girl! I know you’ve got something.”

Eye to eye, she snickered, casually denying the charge. “Nope, nothing.” Unless she read him wrong, Geena was pretty certain he wouldn’t take the time to find out that she was wearing six pairs of underwear. A girl had to have some comforts.

Satisfied that most of the undeclared items had been given up, Jonas nodded to Bethany, everything was in readiness.

Jonas’ eyes narrowed threateningly as he glared at Miles. “Just make sure he does exactly what he’s supposed to.” Jonas’ cousin nodded, a shotgun lazily held against his hip, a not-so-subtle reminder to Miles that one false move might well be his last. Miles shuddered slightly, his lips trembling with fury.

Bethany’s hands flew over the computer keyboard and, finally satisfied, she stepped back as the huge door opened. One by one, the team members walked through. Jonas motioned Bethany ahead of him and stepped through last. Dizziness, a few moments of weightlessness and then the feel of solid ground once again beneath his feet was the sum total of his disorientation.

He inhaled deeply, the cool, clean air filling him with untold delight. Quickly perusing the landscape and centering himself to focus on their instant needs, he was overwhelmed by his first sight of primitive Earth. His eyes sparkled as he beheld the grandeur and purity of long ago. The deep blue of the sky was devoid of the dirty air so common in modern times. In the distance, mountains loomed in stark contrast to the deep green almost black stands of forested hillsides and valleys. The world at the dawn of time, untouched by the destruction of future races.

Bethany knelt in the grass ahead of him, emptying her stomach and gasping. A few of the other members were in the same condition, but for the most part, the rest were up and checking out the surroundings, seemingly in awe and humbled by the magnificence of these first moments in their new reality.

Jonas reached down and helped Bethany to her feet. In the bright sunlight, she was slightly green and perspiring, her hands shaking and clammy to the touch. “Are you okay?”

“Perfect! Just give me a second to acclimate myself.” Shaking off his hand, she hefted up the heavy pack and slipped it on, determinedly ignoring his attempts to help.

Knowing from past experience not to crowd her overmuch, Jonas instead addressed the group. “Geena! Micah! Both of you! Do a quick recon and see if you can pick up any sign.” Motioning to Jeremy, he pointed north. “Head over to that rise there and take position. I want to know everything there is to know about this area a.s.a.p.”

The three fanned out quickly, seasoned soldiers intent on doing his bidding.

“The rest of you! Gather up all this equipment and move it into the tree line. We’re sitting ducks out here and I don’t like it.” Loading up most of the large packs, the remaining team members along with Bethany hurried to the tree line, while Jonas stood watch. Nothing moved, but Jonas had been a warrior too long to dismiss what he couldn’t see. When all the supplies and equipment had been moved to the safety of the tree line and a security perimeter deployed, he allowed himself a few moments to adjust to the new surroundings. The team hunkered down, watchful and waiting for the reconnaissance team to return.

An agonized scream rent the air. Jonas whirled, seeking the source. A figure stumbled into the open concourse. Blood gushing from a torn shoulder, Jeremy alternately crawled and staggered towards them, his face contorted with fear. A giant saber toothed cat pounded behind him, stalking the injured prey.

The team jumped to attention, weapons drawn and ready. “Get out there and get him,” Jonas screamed, hurtling forward. The distance to Jeremy seemed overwhelming but, in reality, was only about 50 feet. Catching their movement and unfamiliar scent, the huge cat paused, screeching in anger at the intrusion on his kill. That one small hesitation was just enough time for Jonas to reach Jeremy. The younger man’s face was devoid of color, his eyes wide with fright, the slash marks to his shoulder bleeding profusely. Hot on Jonas’ tail, more of the Black Ops members arrived, spears and long knives drawn, paltry defenses against the fury of the enraged cat. The cat spun and crouched, his tail twitching, yellow eyes fixed and glowering as he appraised the opposition.

Nothing had even vaguely prepared Jonas for his first encounter with such a creature. It was huge, bigger than any modern day tiger, corded muscles bunching and rippling along well-developed flanks, the elongated canines gleamed wickedly as he roared his challenge. Behind him, Geena and Micah entered the clearing to the north, cautiously inching towards them, drawn by the commotion. The cat’s head spun in their direction and, without warning, charged, slashing and raking with giant claws.

The window of opportunity opened and as one, the team attacked, spears jabbing the beast from all sides, as small wounds erupted in the huge cat’s fur. Growling and hissing, the cat retreated, saliva dripping from his wicked jaws, bounding away into the safety of the trees. Amazed and thankful, Jonas breathed a deep sigh of relief. Perhaps the cat, like many predators, was a coward when faced with what he viewed as an unknown, and greater, force. Whatever the reason, it was too close by far. Abe, the healer, rushed to Jeremy’s side, staunching the flow of blood and ministering to the young man. The wounds looked bad and the kid had lost a lot of blood. Not a good start for the new beginning.

Jonas addressed the tense group. “It’s a hard lesson, but one that won’t be forgotten. Never, and I reiterate, never let down your guard. We can’t afford to lose even one member of this team. Watch your backs and watch each other’s.” That being said, Jonas knelt down beside the healer. “How’s it look?”

Abe frowned, his concentration focused on the matter at hand. “It could be better, but it looks worse than it is. He’s lost a lot of blood, but it doesn’t appear like any major arteries were affected. The biggest problem right now is the probability of infection. I’ll know more when I’ve had a better chance to examine him.”

“Get him up and back to the perimeter. You and you,” Jonas waved to the men, “carry him.” The bigger of the two easily hoisted the injured man up, hauling him across his back, undaunted by the added weight, and strode back to the camp. Those who had remained at the camp watched their approach with trepidation. Allie raced forward, medical supplies and bandages clasped tightly in her hands.

“I have some medical training along with midwifery,” she explained. “I was going to be a paramedic at one time.”

Jonas nodded, relieved to place the burden of Jeremy’s survival in the hands of others. He wasn’t good at watching his people in pain.

The stark reality of their new existence was evident on each member’s countenance. What had previously seemed like an exciting adventure now became a test of endurance and ability to face the unknown and survive. Subdued, the earlier upbeat attitude flew in the face of the events of a few moments ago.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The first rays of daylight had barely kissed the treetops as Nathan and Riley made ready to leave the shelter. Packs and equipment were loaded on the small horse which now waited patiently at the exit to the back entrance. Burdened as well, Riley carried the remainder of the supplies, hopeful that Nathan, if less encumbered, would better withstand the rigors of the trek to the lower caves. Although protesting his complete recovery and stoutly reiterating his capability to cope during the long march, he was still too weak by far. His own load consisted of the larger portion of the weaponry—bows and arrows, small throwing spears, and numerous knives of varying lengths which hung from his belt.

Clutching the sinister war club in her hands, several knives secured in her boot straps for easy access, Riley was grimly conscious of the perils facing her newfound family in the days to come. Like a draught of impending doom, a sharp breeze blew into the tunnel as the rock wall rolled back, whistling loudly in the silence of the cave. Nathan exited first, cautiously scanning the countryside, careful to note anything out of the ordinary. Satisfied, he nodded for Riley to follow. Stepping from the tunnel, stomach in knots and hands clammy with sweat, Riley strode into the prehistoric landscape, fighting desperately to retain control over her timorous emotions. The goddess of dawn peaked through clouds made red from the sun’s first rays, suffusing the panorama with striking color. Trees bowed to the wind’s demands, gracefully waving their long limbs in greeting. It would have been a beautiful morning but for the fear choking her.

Nathan rolled the rock wall back into place. “No reason to make it easy for them,” he grinned. “Not like they’re houseguests or anything.”

Riley’s lips trembled in response, reaching for the lighthearted display Nathan was acting on. She did not doubt for a moment that it was for her benefit.

“I don’t suppose we can plan on being home by nightfall?” she murmured.

Shaking his head, Nathan destroyed her one small glimmer of hope. “Not a chance, babe, but if we’re lucky, we can reach the first cave by sundown.”

“And if we’re not lucky?” Visions of a night in the open terrorized her already traumatized mind.

“Then we’ll make camp and toast marshmallows and make S’mores.” Nathan started down the path to the animal pen with Demon running ahead, nose to the ground, checking for any interesting passersby. Riley fell in behind. Nothing changes, she thought dryly.

“I’m holding you to that one—and don’t call me ‘babe’!” She would kill for a bite of chocolate. It was such a warm and fuzzy memory.

A small chuckle escaped Nathan. “Why not? You are a babe!”

“You’re only saying that because I’m the only available woman!” Disgustingly pleased by that small compliment, Riley’s mood lifted. Heck, it was almost as good as a piece of chocolate—almost.

The trip to the animal pen was accomplished without incident, and the three sheep were soon tied to the lead rope and attached to the horse. Nathan left the entrance unblocked, allowing the remaining sheep their freedom. Riley couldn’t suppress a small tear from sliding down her cheek. They were so defenseless by themselves! They didn’t know what it meant to live in the wilds. It was with heavy heart that she stepped away, refusing to dwell on the outcome any longer. Too soon, she realized her error. Confused and alarmed, the sheep trailed after, bleating and jockeying for position, determinedly grouping around the ram. The whole darn flock followed!

“Nathan!” Riley called. “They’re all coming with us!”

Swiveling in response to the commotion, a look of consternation stamped on his features, Nathan’s eyes widened in surprise. “I wasn’t thinking! Should have realized before! They’re used to flocking, and we have part of the flock, so if these go, they all go! Only way to stop them would be to put them down!”

“Well, I certainly hope you aren’t going to do that?” Riley cried aghast.

Briefly hesitating, as though giving the gruesome option some consideration, he replied. “Actually, no! This might be a Godsend. If any of the newcomers are tracking us, they might just surmise we’re part of a wild flock and ignore us. In any event, the sheep’s tracks will cover any you and I might leave.”

“Oh, great! So now besides being a pack animal, I get to be sheepherder as well!”

Laughing, Nathan moved ahead while she trudged along, tripping over sheep as they jostled and bounced against her.

“Why do they all try to group around the ram?”

Nathan’s voice floated back. “I think it has something to do with the stronger moving to the middle of the flock for protection, something like that.”

“Well, that’s hardly fair! Seems like the little ones should be in the middle with that big guy fighting for them!” She almost felt like giving the big ram a swift kick in his fat behind.

“Better keep the conversation down as much as possible from now on,” Nathan quietly warned. “Sound carries way too far out here.”

Instantly contrite, Riley’s lips snapped shut. “What about the sheep?” she whispered.

“They’re just making sheep sounds. Animals make sounds in the wild. It’s a natural occurrence. They’ll calm down once they get into the swing of things.”

Demon kept up a dogged pace, alternating between running ahead and swinging around to nip a few lagging sheep on the butt, urging them faster. Must’ve been a sheep dog in a former life, Riley thought. He was doing a pretty good job, too, keeping the strays moving. Nathan stopped periodically, taking short rest stops, for which Riley was exceedingly grateful.

The load grew substantially heavier as the day progressed, the straps rubbing uncomfortably against her shoulder blades. The terrain was rough and hard to navigate, and along with the awkward load and addition of the wayward sheep, she fell more than once, bruising her knees repeatedly. By noon, hungry, tired and thirsty, she was ready for a long rest, dropping the load to the ground with a resounding thump as Nathan called a halt. The horse bent down, cropping lush grasses growing in profusion while the sheep scattered to graze. The nearest large rock became the dreamed-of resting place. Easing carefully down, her legs aching from the stress of carrying the extra weight, Riley sighed in relief.

Concern etching his ruggedly handsome face, Nathan squatted down, watching her every move. Small lines of strain chiseled her soft features, but otherwise she appeared healthy. Tearing off a hunk of jerked meat and offering it to her, Nathan pointedly inquired. “Are you going to be able to keep going?”

“Do I have a choice?” Riley groaned, laying back on the rock and hungrily wolfing the meat down. “Maybe I’ve died and gone to heaven or, more appropriately, maybe I’ve died and gone to hell and the sheep are demons in disguise.” Demon’s ears perked up at his name. “Sorry, boy; didn’t mean to malign you.”

“Far as I can tell,” Nathan replied, “you’re still right here with me.”

“Dang it! I was afraid of that!” Riley thankfully took the water skin he offered, thirstily gulping the tepid contents.

“Save some for later,” he advised. “It’s still quite a trek to the first watering hole.”

Their resting place was high on the slope of a craggy, barren hillside. In the valley far below, a river raged rampant through the untouched beauty of the primeval landscape. In the distance, several large animals could be seen moving slowly in a ragged line.

“Mastodons,” Riley breathed, awed by the sight. “They’re really Mastodons.”

“To be correct, they’re Woolly Mammoths. I think Mastodons only roamed the Americas.”

“Oh, so now you’re an anthropologist or whatever, as well as everything else!” Feeling bitchy and tired, it was easy to grouch at him.

“I believe the term would be ‘paleontologist’. I never studied human development except when it pertained to the female of the species.”

Riley groaned half-heartedly. “You are so not funny.”

Assured that she was okay, Nathan stood up. “I’m going to backtrack for just a bit and see if we have any company.”

“Shouldn’t you be resting too?”

Grimacing, Nathan stripped off all but the barest essentials. “I should, but I can’t. We need to know if anyone’s behind us and, if they are, how far.”

“Can’t I do it?” Not that she really wanted to, but better her than him.

Chuckling, Nathan shook his head. “I’m only going back a short distance—where I can get a good view and watch for awhile. I won’t be gone long. Stay here and rest—you need it. I can barely carry myself and a few things more. I can’t carry you, too!” Motioning the dog to stay, he started back.

Riley watched his progress along the pathway they’d just descended. Slowly and carefully, he moved back up the incline, pausing every few minutes to rest. Losing sight of him as he crested the ridge, and nervous at being alone in the open, Riley heaved herself up, moving to squat beside the watchful canine, and resting against him for comfort. Barely acknowledging her presence, Demon’s eyes glistened as he focused towards the direction Nathan had taken, his ears twitching, nose sporadically testing the air for scent. The horse and the sheep continued to graze, content to meander aimlessly around the small grassy basin.

Riley reached for the water skin again, sipping slowly, warily eyeing the open hillside. Nothing stirred, but her nerve endings were tingling. Something didn’t feel right. The minutes dragged by slowly, and it seemed like forever before she finally spotted Nathan making his way back down. Though moving at a respectable clip, he was taking time to brush the ground with a tree limb. His face betrayed his agitation as he drew nearer.

“Get up!” he urgently whispered. “We need to get into cover fast! They’re tracking us and I don’t want to be caught out in the open. I think we’re about an hour, maybe two ahead of them, but I can’t be sure.”

Her heart pounding, Riley raced around, gathering up packs and strapping them on. Adrenalin raced through her system, the aches and discomfort of the morning’s trek forgotten in an instant. Nathan haphazardly brushed away their footprints and then started out, pulling on the horse’s lead rope, the sheep milling behind and bleating in confusion. “Leave the sheep behind!” he mouthed. “They’re only going to cause us to lose time.”

Riley tried shooing them away, but they only looked at her helplessly, bewildered by her actions. “Unless we leave the ram, none of them will stay.”

“Forget about them! If they follow—fine! If not, we can’t worry about it. Drag the limb and erase what you can!” The sheep seemed content to follow their lead, keeping up with the faster pace, unwilling it seemed to be left behind. Footholds were challenging, the steepness of the hillside increasing dramatically as they journeyed down. Below them, practically at a vertical drop, the river violently churned. Waves bounced and roiled over huge rocks and mist dampened the air. Fancifully, Riley imagined the waves reaching up and pulling them in to the deep, uncompromising waters. Fear of heights had always been Riley’s personal phobia and this was no exception. Vertigo hit with blinding force. Stumbling slightly and grabbing wildly for fistfuls of the tall grass, she hung on with desperate intensity, unwilling to let go, her eyes squeezed tightly shut.

“Grab the horse’s tail,” Nathan yelled over the noise of the river. “If you slip, he’ll keep you from falling.”

Refusing to release her tenuous hold, sweat dripping down her brow, Riley frantically clutched the slippery fronds, praying they would support her weight.

“Let go, Riley!” Nathan bellowed. “You have to let go! I can’t get back up there to help you!”

Though fraught with fear, she forced her eyes open, one at a time. Gingerly loosening her fanatical hold on the grasses, she managed to grab a handful of tail, seriously nervous about the horse’s predisposition to kick, but even more nervous about falling into the raging precipice below. Impervious to the dangers of their convoluted route, the horse pulled her along, his steadiness a soothing balm. The chasm loomed starkly beside them, rocks continually dislodging and dropping along their makeshift pathway and crashing down into the abyss. Focusing on the horse’s broad butt with forced concentration, she shuffled slowly forward; even a slight misstep right now would be hazardous in the extreme.

Nathan kept them moving, one eye focused on the hillside above. The tree line drew closer, the footing easier as they neared the safety of the denser vegetation. Breathlessly, Riley sprinted the remaining few feet into the trees, thankful to be away from the river’s edge. The sheep stayed the course, bumping and knocking her about in their haste to follow. Deeper into the darkness of the forest they burrowed until Nathan was satisfied they were safe from prying eyes. Tethering the horse under cover of a huge spreading conifer and motioning Riley to wait nearby, Nathan raced back to the edge of the tree line, searching for signs of the newcomers’ advance, Demon at his side.

The huge pines shadowed the earth below, the murky gloom sinister and menacing. Other than birds flitting through the trees, nothing moved, but Riley could feel the presence of watchers in the woods. The sheep huddled together, barely moving and for once silent, as though they too sensed the dangers lurking nearby. Slipping off the packs, Riley took a fresh grip on the war club, readying herself to fight should the need arise. What she wouldn’t do for a machine gun right now! Limbs moved and Nathan and the dog dropped down beside her.

“They’re above us on the ridge,” he breathed, “and they don’t seem to be in a big hurry to climb down the way we came. That might buy us some time.”

Without warning, Riley leaned forward, pressing her lips firmly to his. Startled, he briefly hesitated, then, cupping her face in his large rough hands, Nathan joined in enthusiastically, his lips and tongue plundering the silken warmth of her fiery mouth. When, after several minutes the kiss ended, Nathan drew back quizzically. “I liked it, but what was that for?”

Deep in her eyes, sadness glimmered. “Because I might not get a chance later.”

“We’ll get through this,” he soothed, “you just have to believe.”

As though unhearing, she continued, “And I love you so much it hurts. I don’t want to lose you!”

“You won’t lose me. I’m not going anywhere.” His eyes twinkled. “Besides, you’re the only good looking female for miles. I haven’t forgotten that.”

A tentative grin warmed her strained features. “I’m the only female for miles, good looking or not.”

Pressing a soft kiss to her trembling lips, Nathan offered what little comfort he could. “You’re beautiful, and I love you so much it hurts, too! That has to count for something! Surely that great entity in the sky that protects all us idiots has a good reason for bringing you and me together. I can’t believe it’s just to die so soon.”

“Not dying is a good thing,” she agreed.

“Believe it! I do! And I’m not about to give up yet. The game has barely started.” He planted a smacking kiss on her willing lips.

“I’d feel a lot better if our side had a few more players,” she reasoned. “I doubt the sheep will make a good showing in a standup fight. Best they can do is to be annoying.” Her lame attempt at humor did not go unnoticed.

Flashing a quick smile, Nathan continued. “We should make it to the first cave tonight if we keep up the pace. Who knows? They might just get tired of chasing us and go back. At this point, they don’t really know who or what they’re tracking so we have the element of surprise here.”

“What element is that? That there’s only two of us?” Riley didn’t believe for a minute that they had any chance of surviving if the newcomers attacked.

“I have a few surprises up my sleeve,” Nathan replied smugly. “I didn’t come here totally unprepared.”

“I did find some interesting artifacts among your things, and I’m pretty sure they aren’t historically correct for this time period.”

Grinning hugely, Nathan lightly acknowledged. “And a few more that you’ve never seen either.” Opening his pack, he displayed several grenades.

“Oh, you devil!” Clapping her hands, Riley felt like dancing in glee. “What about the historical significance. Is this going to change time?”

Tilting his head, Nathan looked at her questioningly. “What do we really know about the Pleistocene period other than it was cold and a lot of animals died out?”

“Uhmmm, if you’re asking me specifically—not much.” She was a botanist, for goodness sakes, she wasn’t a historian.

Casually tossing a grenade from hand to hand, Nathan explained. “What I’m saying is, not much survived that period and if we use these babies, there won’t be enough left to identify, even if some of it’s found thousands of years from now.”

“Too true! But how did you get these by Bethany? She was pretty specific about what I could and couldn’t bring.”

“She didn’t ask and I didn’t mention them. Besides, Bethany loves me. I could have brought a cannon and she wouldn’t have said anything. It was the other people working on the project that I had to worry about.”

“Maybe you should have brought a cannon, or at least a really big gun! We wouldn’t be in such a mess if you had.” Glumly, she mentally reviewed their weapons and found them wanting.

“If we get to use these, all it’ll take is one. The effective radius of the kill zone alone should take care of most of them and I suspect the others will run.” Nathan wrapped the grenade and placed it back in the pack. The rest stop over, they gathered up the packs and equipment. “We need to keep moving if we’re going to make the cave by nightfall.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

“So—are you sure we’re tracking the right ones?” Jonas barked.

Startled, Geena glanced up from her careful scrutiny of the ground, surprised at his tone, and even more so at his audacity in asking her, of all people, such a ridiculous question.

“I don’t see how it could be anyone else. Look here,” she pointed to some muddled prints. “We have a larger individual and a smaller one, a man and perhaps a woman or a boy. The markings left by their moccasins are totally different than the ones made by the larger group following them. Most of the larger group are either barefoot or their soles bear the same stitching patterns, that sort of thing. These here,” pointing to the first set, “are of much finer quality—smaller, more even stitching—like ours!” Focusing on the prints, she continued. “The first two are traveling pretty fast; the strides are longer and less delineated. If I were to guess, I would say they’re running from something, probably the second group. But it’s kind of hard to decipher. As you can see, the first tracks have been trampled over by some sort of small animal herd, but you can see them there,” pointing again, “and there.”

Frowning, Jonas argued the point. “And if you’re wrong, then we could be following God only knows who!”

Geena stopped, straightening up slowly, her eyes narrowing as she spun around to face him. “How often have I been wrong?” she growled menacingly, her lip curling in anger. “And unless you’re looking for a new outlook on life, you do your job, and let me do mine.”

Jonas backed off, knowing her too well to push further. More than one unlucky male had overstepped her good nature and ended up singing soprano. Satisfied, Geena resumed tracking, choosing to ignore any further comments he might make.

They had been tracking the two groups since early morning when Geena discovered the first prints. Convinced they belonged to Nathan and Riley, she was off and running, like a hound dog after a raccoon. Later, a second, larger group of tracks converged along the same path as the two runners. The tracks were relatively fresh and ominous to the beholders. It was pretty easy to guess that if Nathan and Riley were running, the situation was out of control.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

The terrain they now traveled, though less treacherous, was nonetheless strenuous. Unwaveringly, Nathan pushed himself and the small group along, the pace demanding and relentless. Night was swiftly falling when the entrance to the cave came into view. Demon whined as he sniffed the evening air, nervously pacing alongside Nathan. The night hunters would soon be on the move and it was with great relief that they finally reached their intended destination. Holding her breath in anticipation, Riley waited impatiently as Nathan moved aside a number of large rocks and disappeared into the cave opening. Within minutes, he stepped back out, motioning her to follow. The sheep, following her lead, jostled for position, trampling hurriedly behind. Nathan rolled the covering rocks back into place and then rummaged through a pile of wood along the far wall, pulling out a number of torches, lighting one from an ember transported in a small clay pot.

The glow from the torch lit the small chamber, and glancing around curiously, Riley noted with interest the supplies and water skins stacked around the cavern. The sheep milled around anxiously, looking for food and water, tired and hungry from the long, arduous trip.

Eyeing them in aggravation, Nathan commented dryly. “I’m going to have to go back out there and drag in some grass or they’ll never settle down.”

Riley nodded. “I’ll get them some water. Seems to be enough for tonight at least.”

“I think we could probably go for a week if we need to. Cover the opening with that skin while I slip out. No need to advertise our location.” Nathan rolled the rock back just far enough to ease out. A short time later, he was back, forcing large bundles of grass through the small opening. When the sheep and the horse were munching contentedly, Riley retrieved a food pack and began preparing a meal. Nathan collapsed on a hastily contrived bed, the rigors of the day showing on his pale, strained face.

Heating water took only a few minutes and a small pot of tea was soon brewing. Nathan thankfully accepted a small cup while Riley hurried to get the meal prepared. Though lacking the comforts of their previous shelter, the current cave was nonetheless warm and protective. The animals settled down and peace permeated the chamber. Nathan managed a few bites of dinner before drifting off to sleep, trusting Riley to keep watch for now. Demon crouched down facing the cave entrance, ever watchful, his fierce countenance reminiscent of his savage ancestors. As Riley placed a large food bowl down in front of his muzzle, he favored her with a quick lick, just enough to show his lofty appreciation, but not enough to distract him from the task at hand.

“Good boy,” Riley crooned. “You are such a good boy.”

A slight wag of his tail was Demon’s only response.

Satisfied that all was well for the time being, Riley settled down and prepared to keep the first watch, knowing that Nathan would never be able to go any further unless he got the rest he needed. Strangely, Riley was content. Her little family had survived thus far and if God was good, they would make it through tomorrow. Sighing, she drifted off into a light sleep, one ear attuned to danger.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

“Get that perimeter up!” Jonas growled. “And you four,” pointing to the former Black Ops members. “Up in those trees and keep watch! Four hours on, four off. Nothing gets through! Am I clear on this?”

Nodding, they moved off, silently blending into cover. Jonas had chosen a spot easily defensible and camp was hastily erected. No fires would be lit, inadvertently giving away their location, and they would sup this night on jerked meat and hardtack. He had eaten worse in his lifetime.

Several guards soundlessly walked the perimeter as well, their primitive weapons held in readiness. Large animals crashed through the dark underbrush, evoking images of the earlier encounter and every team member was on alert. Jonas whirled, startled, as a small hand came to rest on his forearm.

“What the hell do you want?” he snarled.

Allie’s small face materialized, her squeaky voice apologetic in the night air. “I was afraid and I just feel better being near you.”

The light of the moon shown on her delicate features, eyes large and dark, trembling lips pressed tightly together. Uttering a quick expletive and cursing his inability to deny her solace, Jonas reluctantly relented. “We’re all afraid. You’d have to be an idiot not to be afraid. Just don’t let being afraid cause you to lose focus. I need every one of you alert and ready.”

Reluctantly, Allie turned to leave. “We’ll be okay,” Jonas spoke to her retreating figure. “We just need to stick together and watch our backs.” He watched her until she disappeared into a small tent, concern for her and the other members’ mental status heavy on his mind. The dangers were not unlike many he had encountered before in his line of work, but unlike those previous situations, this one held a wide variety of unknowns. Finding Nathan and the girl would be tantamount to the success of the endeavor. If they were unsuccessful in that regard, he was afraid it would create a downside that would be hard to overcome. So far, the team viewed the experience as an exciting adventure, albeit a risky one, and he hoped they continued in that vein.

Shaking himself, he made a quick tour of the perimeter before turning in. Bats twittered as they pursued night-flying insects, brush rustled as small animals skittered about, but other than that, the night was quiet. White teeth flashing in the darkness, several guards silently acknowledged his presence in passing. Soft whistles from high up in the trees reassured him that everyone was in place.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Sometime in the night, the dog growled, low and menacingly. Immediately, Riley leaped up, heart pounding in alarm. Demon’s eyes glimmered silver in the light of the small campfire, hackles rising as he stalked stiff-legged towards the cave entrance. Breath held in anticipation, Riley waited for his next move. Poking his nose through a small opening between two large rocks, Demon scented the night air, his growl becoming louder and more threatening.

“Wha—” Nathan came awake with a start. “What’s going on?”

Riley shrugged, watching Demon’s every move. “He must have heard something!” she said quietly. “I don’t know. He just suddenly started acting this way!”

Rolling free of the bedding, Nathan grabbed a weapon and rushed to kneel beside the dog. “What’s going on, boy? What is it?”

The dog turned to face him, his ears twitching, attention attuned to the outside.

“Put out the fire!”

Riley hustled to do his bidding, scooping fistfuls of dirt over the small flames, hands shaking in nervous anxiety. Seconds later, the small fire was extinguished, and complete darkness shrouded the small chamber. Alarmed, the animals moved restlessly, sensing their concern.

Breathlessly, they waited as minutes ticked by. Ears straining to hear the slightest sound, Riley’s eyes finally adjusted to the cloak of darkness, barely able to make out the cave entrance and the dark figures of Nathan and the dog crouched nearby. After what seemed like an eternity, Demon’s incessant growling ceased.

“Whatever had him upset, I think it’s gone now.” Nathan whispered. “Better not light any more fires ‘til morning, though. Might have just been a predator after the sheep, but we don’t know.”

“If it wasn’t an animal, do you think they spotted our fire?”

“I don’t think so. The entrance was pretty well blocked and we kept the fire small. I’m betting it was an animal.”

Reaching and finding her in the dark, Nathan folded her tightly against him. Hugging back fiercely, Riley cuddled close, comforted by his nearness. His heart beat solidly and steady, much like him, she mused. Solid and steady. The kind of man she always wanted. Unwittingly, a vision of his nude body swam through her consciousness. Heat rose. Feverishly, she skimmed the tunic up, running her hands over his powerfully sculpted pecs, twining her fingers in the sprinkling of soft hair.

“Great idea!” Nathan commented, amused. “Much better than playing cards or watching TV. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do right now.”

Giggling, Riley continued her unrestrained exploration of his muscular body. “I don’t know...maybe a beach in Hawaii might be a hard one to pass up.”

“If we were doing this on a beach in Hawaii—maybe,” he groaned. “Otherwise, I’m pretty happy right where I am.”

Clothing tossed hurriedly aside, wanting nothing between them, she pushed him back, aggressively taking control and forcing his willing submission. Rubbing against his engorged staff, Riley tasted his lips, tongue working in unison with her frenzied movements. His large hands grasped her bottom, kneading the full cheeks, guiding her to his heated length. Passion rose in a red hot wave, engulfing her in its wake as she sank slowly down, her silken sheath convulsing along his pulsating member. She ached for him, ached to have him deeper and deeper, until nothing separated their joining.

Wildly she rode, arching back as his hips bucked against her most tender place. With one practiced flip, he threw her to the bottom, assuming the dominant position without losing even one moment of rhythm. Forcing her back, ignoring her protestations, Nathan pounded against her, driving deeper with every thrust. Cupping her full breasts, his tongue laved the valley between, latching onto one sensitive nipple, teeth nipping gently as she moaned in mindless response. Hard and fast they exploded, Riley’s high pitched scream of release echoing in the stillness of the darkened cavern, his growling rejoinder seconds behind. Panting in exertion, Nathan supported himself on his elbows, trailing soft kisses down her face, finishing with a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.

“Yup,” he commented, “a beach in Hawaii has nothing on this.”

“You’re just saying that because there’s no other choice.” Amused, her voice rippled with laughter. Nathan conjured her image, his mind picturing her deep green eyes twinkling with humor, a smile curving her luscious, full lips.

“There’s always a choice. For instance, we could be at the North Pole with no blanket and only snow for a bed and polar bears waiting in the wings, or we could be on a rock wall hanging over some great void and only a rope bed between us and the canyon below.” Lurid images sprang from Nathan’s descriptive recitation.

“Okay, okay!” Riley’s voice halted his commentary. “You’ve made your point. I have to admit, this isn’t too bad, although if I had to pick the perfect spot, I would still have to vote for the beach in Hawaii, or perhaps a cabana on the beach in Hawaii. We wouldn’t want to scare the tourists,” she added reasonably.

“They wouldn’t be scared! They’d be jealous! Heck, I’m jealous just thinking about it.” His shaft moved against her, burgeoning up as his hands roved over her willing form.

“Jealous? Is this your definition of jealous? Does jealousy cause a hard-on?” Grinning in the dark, Riley stretched seductively, permitting him access to every inch of her being. This might be their last night together and she wasn’t going to pass up on one minute of it.

Nathan worked his way down her body, his tongue licking and seeking each delicate spot, his beard scratching an intriguing trail on the softness of her belly, until his mouth found and nuzzled the soft hair covering her feminine mound. Riley squeaked in surprise as he tasted her sensitive bud, his tongue swirling and enticing, overpowering her belated embarrassment, delighting as she rose up against him. Inserting two fingers, he continued his assault on her senses, taking his time and savoring every second. The earlier, heated joining was for him, this slower, more intense joining was for her. Riley’s hips thrashed convulsively, moving in unison with his clever tongue. Cupping her cheeks, he delved deeper into her feminine heat, his mouth unrelenting and lifting her to heights heretofore unknown. Unconsciously, her hands grasped fistfuls of his shaggy, unbound hair, tightening almost painfully as she writhed uncontrollably against him.

“Nathan! Take me now,” she wailed, whimpering with sexual need.

Acute gratification at her unreserved responses wafted through Nathan’s core. Never had a woman responded so fully to his demands. Mounting, he rode the waves of untamed desire, her sheath rippling with the onslaught of orgasm.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

The nightmare began in earnest at midnight. Screams echoed through the campsite. Confused team members ran wildly in every direction, attempting to locate the source of the attack. Firelight flickered across faces distorted by fear. Only the Black Ops members retained their composure, hurriedly forming a semi-circle near Jonas and bracing for battle. Another scream rent the air!

Frozen for a moment, the team gaped in horror as an unidentified woman staggered into view, blood dripping from a scalp torn halfway off and partially obscuring her ravaged face.

“There! Over there!” Jonas whirled in response, his bowels contracting at the sheer size of the massive bear stalking the mutilated woman, his hate-filled yellow eyes gleaming wickedly in the light of the campfire.

“Jesus H. Christ!” Geena gasped, backpedaling in an effort to gain some maneuverability.

The woman, weak from loss of blood, stumbled and fell as the great beast raked her with a giant claw. Steel jaws seized the woman’s nape, bones cracking audibly as the behemoth ground the neck bones to mush, mercifully ending her suffering. Roaring in rage, the bear began pulling the decimated woman from the campsite, aggressively defending his kill as the team rushed in. Spears shoved deep into the animal’s sides only served to further enrage the beast. Dropping his prize, the bear advanced on his attackers, his elongated canines dripping blood from jaws forged in the fires of hell. Bellowing his defiance, the rotten-flesh stench of his hot breath permeating the pristine air, vicious claws raking and lashing out, he was a creature from some demented fantasy.

Micah wrenched a burning brand from the fire pit, shoving it hard into the monster’s face, singeing fur and charring the fiend’s tender snout. Howling in pain and fury, the bear gave ground, backing off and retreating to the edge of the clearing.

“Behind us! There’s another one!” Allie’s shrill voice pierced the turmoil. From the corner of his eye, Jonas perceived movement. Another bear lumbered into view, fully as huge and terrifying as the first!

“And another one!” The team now faced not one, but three of the ferocious carnivores! Unless they did something quick, there would be no escape!

“Into the trees!” Jonas screamed. “Into the trees!”

Scrambling wildly, the team broke formation, running for the protection of the giant firs surrounding the camp. A man’s voice screamed in agony and then was abruptly silenced. Hesitating slightly, Jonas took a quick look. Two of the creatures were fighting over the fallen man’s body, blood spewing in rivulets as they ripped the body apart. Jonas backed off. Nothing could be done for the unfortunate victim. The animals’ total concentration on the kill gave the team the time needed to retreat to the safety of the trees.

Jonas leapt to a low hanging branch of a centuries-old conifer, clambering up and grabbing for handholds, almost losing his grip as one of the creatures rammed the tree. The bear continued his attack until, discouraged, he left for easier pickings. Breathing heavily, Jonas watched the carnage below, stunned by the utter viciousness of the concerted attack—horrified by the loss of the two team members. Smaller predators gathered, scavengers drawn by the scent of blood, congregating in anticipation of some tidbit left behind.

Above him, Geena spoke softly, “They were hunting as a pack! Can you believe it? They were hunting as a pack!”

“I know,” he agreed. “They came from different directions, like they knew exactly what they were doing!”

“But bears don’t hunt as a pack—do they?”

“Not that I know of, but we’re in a different lifetime. Who knows what they do here.”

Throughout the remainder of the night, the bears continued their destruction of the campsite, ripping apart tents and equipment, eating their supplies and only departing when the first rays of dawn broke through.

Warily, Jonas descended from his lofty perch, followed closely by the rest of the team. Besides the loss of the two individuals, several others suffered injuries, most were relatively minor but a few more severe. A quick search revealed a small packet of medical supplies, untouched in the disaster. Allie rounded up the injured and busied herself tending to their wounds.

Dismally, they surveyed the devastation left by the marauding bears. Pools of blood darkened the earth, grim reminders of the earlier violence.

His voice harsh and demanding, Jonas focused on the watch. “What happened last night? How did they get through our defenses?”

Micah stepped up. “I never saw a thing until the woman screamed. It was like they materialized out of thin air. They weren’t there and then they were.”

“You mean to tell me something that big just walked in and none of you saw it?” Disbelief and anger warred on Jonas’ face.

“It was like Micah said,” another added, “they just came out of nowhere. I never saw or heard a thing until a second or so before the woman was attacked, and by then, it was too late.”

Chosen for their experience and expertise, Jonas saw no reason to believe it was otherwise than what they stated. “Well, we know what we’re up against. From now on, we sleep in the trees. This isn’t going to happen again!”

Jonas kicked a partially destroyed pack. “Gather up what you can and let’s move. We’re just sitting ducks here. They know we’re here and they’ll be back. We’re the dinner buffet if we stay!”

Staring dumbly at the chaos surrounding them, Bethany sobbed quietly. “Which ones died?”

“Mason and Lila—she was the potter and he was one of our best tanners. Her tent was on the far side of the camp and I’m guessing the first one hit. She probably didn’t even have time to know what happened.”

“She wasn’t dead when she staggered in,” Bethany cried angrily. “She knew she was dying!”

Moaning, she sank to the ground. “What have I done? How could Nathan have survived in this terrible place?” Sobbing uncontrollably, she rocked back and forth, anguish and despair marking her every move.

“He’s alive! We know that! Geena is the best tracker I’ve ever dealt with and she believes these are Nathan and the girl’s marks. If she’s correct, we’re only a day or so behind them.”

“All those years alone in this place! How did he live?”

A glint of respect gleamed in Jonas’ eyes. “Nathan is a survivor and, in an earlier lifetime, I suspect he was a mountain man. I’ve never known anyone who could live off the land like Nathan. He’s a natural and his instincts are amazing.”

Only a small portion of their supplies and equipment survived the attack. The food was largely gone and most of the tents and bedding were beyond repair. Thankfully, most of the team’s weapons had outlasted the attack and were in good condition, but if events continued in the same vein, more would be needed very soon. Hastily loading up what was salvageable, the tired and dispirited team moved out, Geena once again taking point, searching for signs of Nathan and the girl’s passing.

CHAPTER FORTY

The newcomers had not made any attempt to cover their tracks, believing, no doubt, that they had nothing to fear from attack. Their arrogance only proved their contempt for what they considered as lesser beings. Since the newcomers had never actually seen Nathan or Riley near at hand, they were probably proceeding on the assumption that they followed a group of escaping Neanderthals. That they had not left a guard behind to keep watch over the cave gave credence to Nathan’s theory that they believed Nathan and Riley could be easily overtaken. Nathan backtracked and found the newcomers’ encampment a few short clicks away.

The encampment was largely quiet, most of the newcomers were still sleeping and only a few bored souls kept a halfhearted watch. They were not expecting company and had made no particular efforts with regard to security. Throat constricting in alarm, Nathan hustled back to the cave, careful not to draw any unwanted attention. Riley waited at the mouth of the cave, the horse already laden with equipment and supplies, and the dog standing watch at her side. Wasting no time on explanation, Riley handed him the smaller pack, grabbed the horse’s halter and started away from the clearing.

“I could tell they had been near here, too,” she explained as they hurried away. “Pretty easy to read and I sort of figured they were what Demon sensed last night.” Her voice echoing with regret, she continued. “I left the sheep.”

Agreeing with her solid assessment, Nathan rushed them along as fast as possible, trying to put as much ground behind them as he could before the newcomers advanced again. Almost running, they kept up the pace well into the afternoon, only stopping briefly for short rests. Their headlong flight took them further down into the valley below, away from everything they knew, into new vistas of uncharted ground. In the distance, herds of bison roamed the open grasslands along with huge elk and deer, testaments to panoramas untouched by human hands. The pristine beauty of the landscape saddened Riley, few such places remained in the far distant future.

By late afternoon, Nathan was convinced that they had made good their escape, at least satisfied that the newcomers were some distance behind. They had opted to bypass the second cavern, deciding instead to keep moving and perhaps frustrate the newcomers to the point they gave up the hunt. Not wanting to spend the night in the open, they chanced upon a small cave, easily large enough for the little party to fit in, and providing good protection from the elements. Though still light out, dusk was not long in coming.

Demon paced nervously around the small clearing, whining in agitation, his attention focused on the direction from which they just came.

“What’s wrong with him?”

Nathan eyed the dog, concern evident in his demeanor. “I’m not sure, but something has him spooked.”

“Do you think they followed us?”

Not wanting to alarm her unnecessarily, but deciding the truth was best, he responded as gently as he could. “I’m pretty sure of it. I just have this itchy feeling between my shoulder blades that they kept pace with us—at least some of them did.”

Eyes widening as she searched the horizon, Riley’s face dropped. “Do you think they’ll attack tonight?”

“Maybe not tonight. If I’m right, they’ll probably wait for the rest to catch up before they do.”

“Then we need to keep moving.” Riley began packing.

“We need to rest. We can’t go any further until we do.”

Tears welled up in Riley’s soulful eyes. “Then there’s nothing we can do, is there? We just have to sit here and wait for the end.”

Nathan began unpacking his weapons, readying them for use. “I’m not going to just sit here. I’m going to prepare a few surprises for our visitors, some that just might give us an edge.”

“Like what?” Hope leapt into her tear-drenched eyes.

“Besides the grenades, I have a few other tricks up my sleeve. If the grenades don’t scare the be-jesus out of them, these might.” His eyes glinting mysteriously, Nathan opened a skin-wrapped parcel, extracting numerous small clay pots, each with a piece of felt hanging out the mouth. “Ever used a Molotov cocktail?”

Amazed at his ingenuity, a small grin split Riley’s lips. “Not recently, but I’m willing to give it a try! How did you make these?”

“Besides my other talents, I am, to my knowledge, this continent’s only known moon shiner.”

“Moonshine? You made moonshine?”

“I did indeed! I had at one time decided to drink myself into oblivion or become an alcoholic or something like that. But, unfortunately, this stuff tastes like cleaning fluid so I decided to keep it for other purposes.”

“And making Molotov cocktails just happened to be one of them?” Riley hefted one of the pots, testing its weight.

“Do you think you could throw one of them with any accuracy?”

Pondering his question, she saucily replied. “Did I ever tell you that I was the best fielder on the Duluth First Christian Church softball team?”

“No, I don’t think that piece of information ever came up in any of our conversations. So what you’re saying is you can catch.”

“Not only catch, but I can throw a softball from outfield to the pitcher and pretty much on target each time.”

“I am impressed,” Nathan approved. “One of these days we’ll have to discuss all your various talents—those that I haven’t yet had the pleasure to experience.” His waggling eyebrows left little doubt as to his meaning.

They passed an uneasy night, every sound magnified, sleep impossible. As with the previous night, they were traveling fast before first light.

Although their headlong flight followed a downhill route, the relentless pace was grueling and, unless they stopped soon for a short rest break, Riley was fairly certain she wouldn’t be able to keep up much longer. The weight and unwieldy distribution of the packs made traveling almost unmanageable. Sweat dripped from her brow in a constant stream, partially obscuring vision, pain radiated outward from a stitch in her side, her legs were unbearably weak and trembling from exertion.

Geez, she groaned inwardly, maybe dying isn’t so bad. On the bright side, if they kept this up, she would die of exhaustion anyway. Casting a quick glance around, she guiltily chastised herself for such thoughts. No reason to tempt fate.

Nathan forced them on, one eye ahead and the other watching the trail behind, showing little of the strain that threatened to overwhelm Riley—but then his load was less weighty, leaving his hands free for defense. Grumbling again silently, Riley focused her bad attitude on the horse’s frustrating antics. He had stubbornly balked at being led by her from the start, complicated by her overt inexperience with horses. Her arm ached from dragging him along and, on more than one occasion, she considered “accidentally” letting him loose. Only the realization that most of their food supplies were carried by the ill-tempered beast kept her from letting go. If he tried to bite her one more time though, she decided, he was on his own. He would make a great lunch for one of those hideous creatures that roamed the countryside.

How would you like being served up as the dinner buffet, she mentally threatened the mulish pony. As if reading her mind, he snapped again, ears laid back and feet planted firmly.

“Okay! Okay! I get the message!” Demon ran up behind the horse, nipping at the horse’s hindquarters, jumping to avoid a swiftly executed kick.

“You have to keep him moving.” Nathan ran back, delivering a hard slap to the horse’s butt. “Just be firm with him and let him know you’re the boss.”

Yeah, right, she thought, like the stupid animal is going to believe that!

Nathan took the horse’s reins from Riley, and amazingly, he trotted complacently after Nathan.

“Horse! You are sooo bear bait,” Riley muttered, hurrying to catch up.

By now, it was early afternoon and, as yet, no telltale sign of the newcomers’ expected pursuit surfaced. Nathan slowed the pace somewhat, for which Riley was exceedingly grateful, but kept the group moving. As they descended the range of hills surrounding the valley below, the air grew increasingly warmer, stirred by a slight breeze wafting up from the south. Vegetation thinned, causing Nathan further concern by their inability to stay within the covering tree line as they journeyed down. Once again, Riley was in control, or un-control, of the fractious pony, who continued his outward show of dissatisfaction with Riley’s leadership.

Nathan assumed position at the rear of the small troupe, guarding their backs, increasingly uneasy without the cover of the tree line. He knew the pursuers were close behind, nerve endings twitching in response. Demon stalked beside, watchful and alert, showing signs that he, too, sensed their presence. Nathan palmed a grenade thoughtfully. Observing his action, Riley’s clear green eyes widened in alarm.

Nervously, she licked lips chapped by long hours in the sun. “Did you see something?” she whispered.

“Not yet—but I know they’re close.” Years of combat experience and five years of surviving alone had molded him to this level of awareness. Every fiber pulsed with the realization that something would happen, and very soon! Watching Riley striding determinedly ahead, his heart constricted painfully, knowing without pretense what her unhappy fate would be if he didn’t survive. She was a beautiful woman, but the newcomers didn’t appear to hold women in very high regard, at least from what he observed during their raid on the others’ camp. Perhaps the fact that she was not a Neanderthal would give her some standing in their eyes.

“Don’t leave me alone!” Riley threw the words over her shoulder as if reading his mind. “If it looks like you won’t make it—end it for me, too!”

No response would make it past the huge lump that had mysteriously formed in this throat. Nathan nodded solemnly, not questioning her decision. It was different for him, he was a man. They would simply kill him, maybe some form of torture before, but ultimately he would die. She, however, would not fare so easily. History had not dealt gently with the fate of female captives.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Resolutely forging ahead, Riley’s attention strayed for one small moment, and in that one small moment, all hell broke loose. A single savage form magically appeared, blocking the path before her. Blatantly, he posed, spear held in readiness, seemingly unconcerned with the present odds. Deadly intent emanated from his too-small eyes, sneering lips twisted in triumph exposing rotten, blackened teeth. Clothed in dirty, ill-prepared hides, legs and feet bare, he was primitive beyond belief and reeking of cruelty. Stunned and disbelieving, Riley froze, her mind refusing to assimilate the irrefutable existence of the combatant’s presence.

Behind her, Nathan yelled a warning as the dog rushed forward, aggressively attacking the intruder. Startled by the dog’s behavior and the unexpected appearance of the heretofore unknown creature, the panicked horse reared up, pawing the air frantically, and then bolted, dragging Riley behind.

Falling in the aftermath and skidding face down, she rolled, barely avoiding the horse’s thrashing hooves. Dirt and debris clogged her eyes as she blindly groped for anything to use as a weapon. The dog continued his vicious attack, ripping bloody gashes in the newcomer’s arms and legs, each movement calculated to do the most damage, and by the hideous screams of pain and wild barking, the man was not faring well against Demon.

Rubbing clods of dirt from her streaming eyes, Riley screamed a warning as her peripheral vision picked up more movement. Several more newcomers entered the picture, joining their now incapacitated companion. Nathan bellowed a war cry and jumped into the fray, slashing and whirling in a lethal dance of death. More than one newcomer instantly fell beneath his onslaught, but more entered the battle. Riley’s hand fastened on her war club and, gripping it tightly, she moved into position behind Nathan, protecting his back as he dealt blow after blow on the now surprised and defensive warriors.

Moving in time with Nathan, Riley matched his ferocity, enraged by the unwarranted attack and fighting as though demons snapped at her heels. They fought as one, joined by their will to survive amidst overwhelming odds.

Had Nathan had the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle, he would have applauded the intensity and determination with which she landed every blow. She was an Amazon woman of myth, a Valkyrie of the Asgaard, or a Warrior Queen. The months of combat training and warfare techniques drilled into her on a daily basis came into fruition, culminating in this single moment. She defended her position well, holding out against the rampaging aggressors, meting out vicious blows to those who ventured too close.

As the first wave of attackers retreated from the fierceness of the two who fought back to back, Riley dropped her defensive stance, watching with amazement their undignified retreat. Realizing she had been holding her breath, she relaxed somewhat, taking deep, cleansing breaths of air and then expelling them. Dumfounded by their unexpected victory, her mind went on hold.

Grabbing Riley by the arm, Nate hurtled forward, leaving behind everything but the weapons. Adrenalin providing the impetus, Riley flew behind him, hot on his tail. In the intervening time, the newcomers regrouped, stampeding en masse in their wake.

“Time to hand out a few surprises.” Pulling the pin and counting slowly, Nathan whirled and tossed a grenade, at the same time yanking Riley down and dropping full length across her, providing what protection he could from the impact. Momentarily hesitating as the grenade landed in their midst, the pursuers halted, jeering and laughing derisively at the seemingly harmless object, but just long enough for the grenade to detonate, spewing rocks and body parts with satisfying force. Springing up, Nathan hustled Riley along, racing towards an outcropping of boulders, as death screams echoed in the aftermath of the explosion.

Whistling shrilly, Nathan summoned Demon, who dashed after them, limping slightly from a small leg wound.

“They hurt him!” Riley cried angrily as she charged to the dog’s side. “He’s hurt!”

Grimacing at the hold up, Nathan growled. “We don’t have time for this! Let’s just keep moving. We can doctor him later.”

Rubbing her hands lightly across the dog’s back and withers, she quickly checked for injuries. Demon stood quietly, rewarding her ministrations with one delicate lick of his raspy tongue. Satisfied that he sported no other wounds, Riley sped after Nathan, running as if her life depended on it—which it did!

Unscathed, they reached the rock outcropping and jumped for cover, huddling down while Nathan assessed the strength of the remaining force. Uneasy, the newcomers milled about uncertainly, all the while casually ending the suffering of the mortally wounded, but periodically glancing nervously in their direction. Nathan and Riley crouched, closely watching the newcomers’ actions, praying the newcomers would be panicked enough by the strange explosive death dealer to just depart. Unfortunately, by the look of things, the newcomers were recovering their bravado with alarming speed. Of the group left standing, Nathan counted nine uninjured, or slightly injured combatants. The odds were getting better, but overall, not good.

“Why can’t they just go away and leave us alone?” Riley whispered.

“I think we injured their pride or something.” Who knew what motivated the ancients—couldn’t be anything he or Riley possessed, they didn’t have that much worth having.

Disgusted, she nonetheless agreed. “Sounds like a man thing to me!”

Speaking low, Nathan’s low voice rumbled jokingly. “If I were them and I knew this lone guy had a babe who looked like you, and I knew what was waiting at home, I wouldn’t give up either.”

Dealing a swift punch to his uninjured arm, Riley couldn’t help chuckling, despite their current predicament. “So I’m the prized possession! I don’t think so! Just remember, if push comes to shove, I chose you. I don’t care what they want!”

Serious again, Nathan pulled her close. “It won’t come to that! We’re getting out of this together, one way or the other.”

Taking a deep breath, Riley reiterated, “Just don’t leave me alone.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Even with Geena’s remarkable skills, tracking on the rough, rocky terrain had taken time. Still convinced that they were following Nathan and the girl, Geena chanced upon the cave sheltering the abandoned sheep. Clearing the cave opening, they stepped in only to scramble wildly out as a rather large, bad-tempered ram charged, his head braced for contact. Dodging the sharp pointed horns and wrestling the testy animal down, Jonas fingered the animal’s halter, noting each intricate and carefully contrived knot, elated at the discovery. Nathan liked to brag about his Boy Scout skills and knot tying was on the top of his somewhat dubious list. Here was the first real indication that they were on the right track. Water and food had been left with the animals and the entrance had been well-covered, leaving Jonas to believe they planned to return at some point and retrieve the sheep.

The pace of the forced march was taking its toll on everyone. Exhaustion lined their faces and several of the women and men would not be able to continue unless they rested for a longer period. Worried that they were falling farther behind with each passing moment, and frustrated by what he felt were unnecessary delays, Jonas made a tactical decision. Too much time had been lost and the only possible way that they would make it up would be to leave the weaker individuals behind. Fortunately, the cave provided good cover, and the stronger members could move on at a faster clip. A short discussion ensued and it was decided that Jonas, Geena, Micah and two of the other Black Ops team members were the most physically capable of continuing. Surprisingly, Allie stepped forward, laying a small hand on Jonas’ arm.

“I’m coming with you,” she began.

“Not on your life!” he ground out, jerking his arm away. If Allie thought she was tagging along, she was in for a big disappointment. “You wouldn’t be able to keep up!” Without wasting any more breath on her ridiculous overture, he turned away, ignoring her angry retort.

“I will keep up! And I’m coming with you! Try to stop me!”

Startled by her unexpected outburst, Jonas spun around. “Are you arguing with me? You forget. My word is law and I say you aren’t going!”

“Why? Why not me?”

“You don’t have the stamina to keep up and I’m not going to allow you to jeopardize our chances of success!”

Furiously, she stepped in front of him, the top of her head barely reaching chest high. “If you leave me, I’ll just follow! And then it’ll be your fault if something does happen to me.”

Jonas ground his teeth in frustration. God! The woman irritated the hell out of him. Maybe it would serve the little chit right if he did let her come along. “Fine!” he grumbled, not wanting to waste any more precious time arguing with her. “Come with us—but it’s your funeral if you lag behind—or have you forgotten the size of the animals in the petting zoo out there?”

“I haven’t forgotten and I won’t fall behind.” Backing away, she began separating her gear. Uneasily, Jonas eyed the young woman. She was too small and too delicate to keep up, and if she couldn’t, then what would he do? Leave her behind, that’s what, he vowed, confused by unwanted emotions as she bent over, long dark hair cascading down in a silken waterfall.

The team carried weapons and only enough rations and water for a few days’ time, recognizing that time was of the essence, and any added weight would only slow them down. When all was in readiness, they stepped into the open, concealing the entrance to the cave once again, and moved silently out on Jonas’ command.

They had been traveling fast, taking only a few short rest stops when Geena, at point, uncovered an abundant array of tracks that were, at most, only a few hours old. Confident they were closing in, Jonas pushed the team even faster, hoping to close the gap before nightfall. Sweating from exertion and gasping for air, they had stopped briefly to rest just as an explosion sounded in the distance.

“Did you hear that?” Geena yelped excitedly. “Unless I’m losing it—that was a grenade!”

Nodding, Jonas drolly agreed. “Appears as though we aren’t the only ones who made it here with smuggled goods.” Grinning saucily, eyes downcast, Geena’s face flushed red, guilt evident in her uncharacteristically submissive demeanor.

Got you! Jonas mentally made a note to frisk her later on—might have to frisk the entire group! Not that he really cared, what’s done was done, but he didn’t want to be the one to erroneously change the future of the entire world!

Dismissing everything from his mind but the present situation, Jonas focused on the facts. That Nathan had openly detonated a grenade confirmed his suspicion Nathan and the girl were in serious trouble. He would not have so easily given away their position unless there was no other choice. Picking up the pace even faster, Jonas forced the team on, his mind conjuring the worst possible scenarios when they finally overtook the forward groups.

Loosely following the downward path traveled by the earlier passersby, they edged along the banks of a huge crevasse, anchored together by only one small safety rope. If one of them lost their footing, it would have to be enough, and better than nothing.

Caution thrown to the winds, they picked the most direct route, hampered by ground made slick from mist drifting from the raging torrent below, literally crawling at times over slimy, moss encrusted rocks.

Grim determination hardened every visage as they fought to maintain the grueling pace—one false step now would be one too many! No one spoke, reserving for later even that small amount of energy. Interestingly, so far, Allie had easily kept up.

The canyon finally behind them, traveling was less hazardous and the team was able to move at a much faster clip, keeping to a steady, ground-covering jog.

Little or no effort had been made to cover the earlier groups’ tracks at this point, and since the detonation sounded to the south, some time was gained by not having to search for a warm trail.

Still too slow and way too far behind! Jonas mentally cringed at the unwelcome thought. To have come so far and then fail at the last moment was unacceptable!

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Hooting and catcalling, the newcomers let loose a shower of high-arcing arrows, pinging off the rocks and embedding in the soft dirt. Several more waves flew as the newcomers tested the distance and their accuracy. Bolder individuals ran forward, spear throwers whipping, hurling sharp pointed projectiles which crashed harmlessly before reaching their hiding place behind the rocks. Still too far away to be of any real danger, Nathan had no doubt they would work themselves into a frenzy and attack before long.

Methodically, he laid out their weapons, checking each one carefully, and strategically placing them within easy reach. Riley watched his concentrated labor, focusing on his actions, hoping to distract her mind from the inevitable confrontation. Muscles rippled along his back, and though he was still healing, his movements belied any weakness. As she watched, admiration, love and respect washed through in a tidal wave of emotion. Longing for his touch and comfort, she refrained from actual contact, knowing too well the present circumstances ordered that he not have any interruptions right now, not even friendly ones. She contented herself with simply watching, aiding him whenever possible and waiting for the newcomers’ assault on their tenuous position.

Nathan glanced up, his eyes catching and holding hers, warmth and love emanating from their caramel depths. “How’re you holding up?”

“I’m okay I think—just scared.”

Reaching for her hand, he lifted it to his lips, placing a light kiss in the center. “Its okay to be scared,” he soothed, tenderly caressing the delicate, fine-boned fingers, “keeps you frosty and alert. Only an idiot wouldn’t be—and your intelligence has never been in question.”

Of its own volition, her hand gently cupped his face, relishing the feel of his raspy whiskers scratching against sensitive skin. Rubbing his face against her hand, he savored the moment, inhaling her womanly scent—subtle jasmine combined with her own uniquely personal fragrance. Heady and erotic!

“I was really proud of you today! You fought well—better than most.”

Pleased, Riley’s faced pinked at the compliment. “You didn’t do too badly yourself.”

Nathan’s mouth quirked in amusement. “We make a good team—too good for these losers!”

Riley blithely retorted. “Let’s pack our toys up and go home! They can find somebody else to play with.”

“I wish!”

Demon’s low growl alerted them to the newcomers’ new tactics. Small numbers were branching out, moving stealthily through the underbrush along the high side of the small valley in which they were currently ensconced.

Watching, Nathan grinned in amusement. “Not very good, are they?” Though efforts had been made to disguise their sneak attack, most were easily spotted. “I’m guessing they haven’t run into any real opposition over the years and simply make up for experience in sheer numbers.”

“It’s the ‘sheer numbers’ that has me worried.” Glumly, Riley scrutinized the newcomers’ progress. “How many?” she asked, her lips tightening to a firm line.

“I’m guessing fifteen total. More arrived after the first attack, but that’s only the ones I have seen.”

“Fifteen!” she gasped. “How can we hold out against fifteen?”

“It’s more than I would like, but not more than we can handle.” Hoping to calm her, he continued. “We have a good defensive position. To get to us, they have to cross open spaces on all sides, and I’m betting they won’t be too eager to try that. They already know I’m an expert archer. I never miss,” he stated smugly. “And on top of that, we still have one grenade and all the Molotov cocktails. By the way, we’d better get a fire going so we can light those when the time is right.”

“I don’t suppose you have any matches hidden in your surprise package?”

“No,” he grinned, “but I’ve got the most modern fire starting equipment.” Reaching into his weapons pack, he pulled out two flint rocks and soon had a small fire burning.

Mentally preparing for the fight that would soon commence, Riley inhaled deeply, oxygen energizing her tired system. Her stomach grumbled hungrily. How could anyone be hungry at a time like this? But, then, every prisoner on death row gets one last supper! She should be entitled to the same consideration. Biting off a small piece of jerky, she waited, allowing saliva to soften the hardened chunk, and sharing a portion with Demon.

“You’d better eat some, too.” Handing Nathan a piece, they chewed contentedly, all the while keeping watchful eyes on the surrounding open areas. The newcomers were still testing distance, none willing so far to venture too close. Taking a drink from the water bladder, Riley swallowed hard. “Why haven’t they attacked yet?”

“Don’t be in a hurry,” Nathan warned with some humor. “They will.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” she returned darkly.

“They’re probably just waiting for the right moment. Right now, the sun is to our backs and it gives us the advantage. Nightfall is still several hours away and they won’t be able to see clearly enough if they attack too soon, at least those out front. The ones circling around will probably wait for a signal from this group,” he said, casually waving towards the archers.

“So we’re just stuck here waiting until they make their move?”

Shrugging noncommittally, he muttered. “That’s about the size of it.”

Riley’s attention wandered. The majesty of their surroundings, though craggy and harsh, was overwhelming. Lush vegetation littered the small valley, gouged out by glaciers over the course of thousands of years. Game trails broke the landscape, attesting to the large numbers of herbivores and, no doubt, predators which regularly chanced on the small valley. The air was clean and crisp, the clear sky a dazzling blue—a truly beautiful day!

“You know,” she commented sadly, “my only real regret is that we didn’t have more time together.”

“Forget that!” Nathan blurted. “We’ve only just begun to live—isn’t that what the Carpenter song says?”

“I don’t know! I never listened to them. They were way before my time!” Grinning, Riley waited for his response.

Disgruntled, Nathan rolled his eyes, amused by her subtle insult.

“Was it the Vikings or the Indians who coined the term ‘it’s a good day to die’?” she casually asked.

Nathan groaned. “Would you quit with the dying stuff? It’s depressing me!”

“Oh! Well, excuuuse me! Like this whole thing isn’t depressing!”

“Yeah, well—”

An arrow ziinnnged by, narrowly missing Riley’s ear. Startled, she barely had time to gasp as Nathan shoved her down. A hail of arrows followed. The newcomers were finally attacking! Nathan rolled to the weapons, selecting a long bow and a full quiver, and rose to a crouch, loosing four arrows with lightening speed, then ducking back down.

“Well, that’s four who won’t be bothering us again. The odds are getting better,” he commented smugly.

Riley grasped her handy cudgel, battle-ready, her demeanor outwardly cold and dangerous.

Demon rose up, stiff-legged, hackles springing up along his spine, a low growl rumbling from his chest.

“Down, boy!” Nathan whispered, waving him back. “Not yet.”

Riley placed a restraining hand on the dog’s head, willing him to obey. Tensely, they waited for the newcomers’ next move. From his vantage point, Nathan scanned the perimeter, his eyes narrowed as he strained to catch even the slightest movement. Strewn haphazardly across the open basin, four of the newcomers’ bodies lay in eerie repose, undeniable proof of Nathan’s lethal proficiency with a bow and arrow. Those left standing regrouped, just beyond the sheltering tree line, hidden from sight while they plotted their next move.

“Got them thinking at least,” Nathan grinned. “A few more hits like that and they might decide we aren’t worth the effort.”

Riley scowled at his self-satisfied comment. “I guess you haven’t noticed we’re surrounded!” Granted, they were dug in like a tick on a dog’s butt, but if they came from all sides, it wouldn’t matter.

Taunting howls and shrieks echoed from the tree line, spine-chilling and sinister. Shuddering unexpectedly, Riley grimaced as goose-bumps sprouted on arms suddenly cold. The noise was just too creepy! Praying for it to stop, she gripped the battle ax more firmly, oddly comforted by its weight and lethal purpose.

“They’re trying to intimidate us. Don’t let it get to you.” Unconcerned, Nathan continued with his recheck of the weapons.

“Hate to tell you—but they’re doing a good job.” Maybe Nathan could ignore the noise, but she couldn’t. It boomed through the quietude—on and on until Riley thought she would scream or go crazy. Without warning, the noise abruptly stopped, followed by a more disturbing dead silence—even the birds ceased their friendly chirping.

Nathan’s head came up, his eyes wary and calculating. “They’re attacking now,” he calmly stated.

Terrified, Riley blurted, “What makes you so sure? Maybe they left.”

“Nope! Ever heard of the calm before the storm? Well, the storm is just about to begin.” Maneuvering for better vision, he crouched, waiting.

“Riley,” he said low, gesturing to the rocks directly behind him, “take position there and let me know if anything moves.”

Riley jumped into position, her heart hammering so hard, she was sure she could hear it reverberating against her ribs.

“I don’t see anything yet!”

Nathan’s unruffled voice reached her. “Just remember what I taught you and stay loose. Remember, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.”

Snorting derisively at his ridiculous comment, Riley stomach lurched as she caught movement at the outer reaches of the clearing. “They’re coming,” she whispered, “I count three coming from the south, about 100 yards out.”

“Keep me posted as to what they are doing. I’ve got five working their way down from the north. Still too far to waste any arrows on them.”

Arrows rained down periodically, providing cover for the belly-crawling raiders. Nathan’s lightweight shield deflected most of them, but dodging the rest became a lesson in agility; and with each deadly shower, the attackers crept closer. Nathan had yet to return fire, saving their weapons for closer encounters. The newcomers were reluctant to advance within Nathan’s archery range, having learned their lesson well by the earlier sortie. Their fallen comrades’ bodies lay baking in the sun, buzzards circling and swooping down to gouge bites from the already bloating cadavers. Though Riley was glad the newcomers’ numbers had dropped, the condition of the corpses was absolutely sickening and she was glad her vantage point precluded viewing them too often. Somewhat ridiculously, she almost wished they would finally attack—waiting was the worst part, and her imagination was going wild with vivid images of what they could expect. Though her back was to Nathan, she edged closer, resting against him, comforted by the simple contact. Demon wedged alongside, guarding and seeking their protection as well. Riley gently petted the dog, trying to infuse some reassurance into the animal.

“They’re almost within perfect target range,” Nathan whispered. “Just a few more feet and two more will go bye-bye.”

“I hope you’re as good as you imagine you are,” she whispered back.

“Are you questioning my expertise?” he growled, mildly affronted.

“Don’t get all excited,” she placated reasonably. “You don’t want to mess up your aim.”

“My aim is perfectly fine. You just pay attention to your side of the job.” Riley almost fell backwards as she felt him stiffen up and pull away. Immediately, the bow twanged repeatedly. “Got them!” he yelped gleefully.

Riley twisted to see, “Where? How many?”

“Two—to the right of that big rock!”

Nathan’s brutal proficiency with the bow had hit pay dirt again, or in this instance, the dirt was human. Mortally wounded, one newcomer was desperately trying to crawl back to the tree line, a river of blood staining the ground as he inched away. By the look of things, he wouldn’t make it. Feeling as though she was going to throw up, Riley turned away, forcing down the bile that rose in her throat.

“You are just too good,” she commented when she could talk again, awed and amazed by Nathan’s battle skills and ingenuity.

“I told you I would take care of you. I meant that.” Hugging her swiftly, he resumed his post. Screams and howls rent the air again, more attempts at intimidation, but the voices were fewer this time. Demon grew increasingly restless as the noise grew, his ears twitching nervously, low growls rumbling softly in response to the seemingly endless cacophony.

“Okay, by my count, we’re down to nine! Not bad.” Nathan’s voice resounded cheerfully in the din. “See anything on your side?”

“Not since the movements earlier. There’s not much to hide behind over here. We would see them long before they got close.” Riley hoped her assessment was correct, their very lives depended on it.

They crouched there, waiting for the newcomers’ next move.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

A pack animal broke into the small clearing from the tree line, running wildly, eyes rolling in terror, supplies and equipment bouncing and jostling with every movement. From the shadows, a large, sinister looking creature stalked the panicked horse but, sensing the intruders, quickly retreated to the safety of the trees. As the terrified animal attempted to run by them, Jonas leapt forward and grabbed the animal’s flapping lead rope, almost losing his grip as the startled horse reared in confusion and fear.

Several other individuals jumped in, grabbing the horse’s halter, and forcing the animal down, speaking soothingly as they held on. The sweating and trembling animal slowly quieted, belabored sides heaving as the small horse fought to breathe.

“Easy, boy,” Jonas crooned, rubbing the small horse’s soft nose, “calm down, boy. You’re safe now.”

“Looks like we’re getting close,” Geena commented unnecessarily. “He wouldn’t have run too far carrying that load.”

Micah cleared his throat and spat a mouthful of phlegm. “Depends on who or what was chasing him.” Several nodded in agreement.

“Still,” Jonas concluded, “the explosion came from this direction, and here he is.”

Allie busied herself checking the packs. “All the packs contain food and equipment—no weapons.”

“Nathan would have held onto his weapons before anything else.” Jonas handed the lead rope to Allie. “Bring him with us. Everyone, let’s keep moving. They aren’t going to wait for us to show up before starting the dance.”

The small rest stop and the realization that they were close to their goal infused the team with new energy. They moved off as one, hope and determination shining on each face, the small horse contentedly following behind Allie. He was not alone in the cruel world anymore.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

“What about the other three?”

“They’re still dug in. Haven’t moved since I nailed the other two.”

Neither had the three Riley kept tabs on. “If you counted right, there are still three unaccounted for. Wonder where they’re at?”

“I imagine they’ll show up real soon. I’ve got this itchy feeling they’re closer than we know.”

Skin suddenly crawling, Riley perused the landscape. The original three were huddled down...waiting. “I don’t see anything different over here.”

“Something isn’t right, I can feel it.” Nathan’s uneasy comment was laced with concern.

To the west of their position, approximately fifty yards out, a gully bisected the small valley. Close enough to be a problem, but so far, the newcomers hadn’t taken advantage of its cover. Nathan eyed the arroyo. That had to be where they would come from. Nothing else made any tactical sense. Attacking from three directions wouldn’t leave him with many options. Riley was still too inexperienced with the bow and arrow to be of much help. Her hand-to-hand combat skills were very good, but he worried that if the time came, she couldn’t or wouldn’t land a killing blow.

The newcomers’ fighting style was based mostly on brute strength, but even that was very effective under the right circumstances. Riley was a robust, physically healthy woman and had proven more than once that she could hold her own with even odds, but if several of the newcomers made it into the rock enclosure, she would go down fighting—and God help her if she did! He knew her too well to believe she would willingly submit to the newcomers if he didn’t survive. Nathan pulled a large hunting knife from his boot, tapped Riley on the shoulder, and handed it to her without comment.

Riley’s fingers closed around the hilt, eyes glued to the sinister blade. “What’s this for?” she croaked.

“Just in case,” Nathan replied, too casually for comfort.

“Have I told you today that I love you?” Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.

“Yeah—you did, but that’s okay, I like hearing it. I love you, too.”

Dismally, Nathan checked his dwindling supply of arrows. Only six left—not good—but they still had the cocktails and the single grenade, as well as an assortment of knives, axes and war clubs. It would have to be enough.

Demon barked wildly, eyes shining red with fury. The newcomers charged, running low, screaming and howling in rage. Riley yelped a warning, diverting Nathan’s attention for one split second, and in that second, three men erupted from the gully, fanning out and sprinting, weaving back and forth in an effort to ward off Nathan’s deadly aim. Hands shaking, Riley clutched the war club, breathing a swift prayer of deliverance. Nathan’s bow sang, but the attackers were more alert this time, ducking and dancing as they rushed forward.

The men from the gully drew nearer, well within throwing range. Making a split decision, Nathan palmed the grenade, pulled the pin and threw. The resounding explosion took out one of the raiders, staggering the other two, but not stopping them.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

The explosion boomed from the clearing below, near enough that they could see dust and debris floating on the breeze. Jonas raised a hand, halting the team’s advance. Speaking low, he motioned them down. “We’re right on them! Micah—Geena—fan out and do a quick recon. You two,” motioning to the other team members, “follow me. Allie, stay with the horse.”

Allie gasped in indignation. “Not on your life! I’m coming with you.”

Jonas’ face flushed. “Don’t argue with me! I don’t have time for this!” he growled, exasperated beyond reason with her inability to follow orders.

Allie whirled, stomping back to the horse, all the while muttering to herself.

“And I mean stay here,” Jonas snarled. “There’ll be hell to pay if you don’t!”

Geena hastened back, urgency stamped on her tense features. “Looks like they’re hunkered down in some rocks at the center of the valley, and they’ve got attackers coming from all sides. We’ve got to move fast or they won’t make it.”

“Shit!” Barking orders, Jonas waved the small group forward. Allie waited just long enough for them to get somewhat ahead, and then surreptitiously followed.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Two men reached the rocks and leapt over, howling and screaming, faces painted with stripes of red and ocher. Demon jumped forward, teeth gnashing, flecks of foam flying from his open maw. Riley froze as Nathan’s blades flashed, whirling and slashing, taking the first down, then spinning to face the second man. Demon dove in, making sure the first man would not rise again, viciously ripping his throat, blood spurting in great gouts from the open wound. The second man, who appeared more seasoned, approached Nathan warily, his eyes narrowed in hate, a sneer twisting his ugly face. Nathan danced sideways, putting himself in front of Riley, his eyes never leaving his opponent.

“Riley,” he warned, “move! Don’t just stand there.”

Demon dove for the second man’s leg, throwing him off balance long enough for Nathan to move in. The clash of knives rent the air as the men fought furiously, streaks of blood dripping from the small cuts they inflicted on each other.

Demon leapt past Riley, growling and snapping as another warrior entered the circle of rocks. Riley faced him, knees shaking and palms sweating. His lips twisted in a cruel smile as he stalked her, amused by her show of bravado. Demon dove in, only to be knocked away by a blow from the warrior’s battle club. Demon went down hard—and stayed down!

“You killed him!” Riley screamed, suddenly enraged. “You ugly son-uv-a-bitch! I’ll kill you.” She moved into a defensive crouch, Jonas’ and Nathan’s training giving her strength and confidence. Laughing, unconcerned by her petty challenge, the warrior swung his battle club—missing completely as Riley ducked and then twisted, landing her own solid, bone-crunching strike to his ribcage. He bent over, clutching his side, snarling in disbelief, eyes maddened with fury and pain. More combatants entered the rock enclosure, circling around the battle Nathan waged with their comrade, urging him on and cheering whenever he drew Nathan’s blood. Soon tiring of the sport, they moved in.

Riley’s opponent strode forward, feinting to the right and then landing a jarring slap to Riley’s cheek, knocking her to the ground. Rolling with the blow, she sprang to her feet, facing him defiantly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing she was shaken by the blow. From the corner of her eye, she saw Nathan go down amidst a throng of warriors, fighting to the last. She spun, her eyes finding his, reading sadness and regret in their warm caramel depths.

“Nooooo!” she screamed. “Noooooo!” Raising her club, she brought it down, again and again, striking and smashing, drawing blood with every blow, a Viking berserker gone wild. Her vision swam through a haze of red. The newcomers gaped, shocked by her ferocious attack. Violently she struck, vengeance infusing her with the rage to destroy each and every one of them. She would make them pay for every hurt they had caused her family.

Riley gasped in pain as her skull cracked with a jarring blow from behind. Falling, her vision murky and uncertain, she reached towards Nathan, longing to touch him one last time, waiting for the final blow—which didn’t come. Instead, a small whirlwind blew by, punching, slapping and kicking unbelievably fast. Chaos reigned as bodies fought. A warrior fell near Riley, the small whirlwind stabbing and slashing, face obscured by a veil of long dark hair. When the warrior no longer moved, the small figure stood, turned and leaned down, a grin spreading her full lips.

“Anyone call 911?” she quipped before she spun to join the battle. Incredulous, Riley could only stare, positive that she was dead and this was the angel of death in the flesh—and she spoke English!

Screams of pain along with the clash of weapons rent the air. Her eyesight clearing, Riley watched the grisly battle scene in disbelief. These new people, women as well as men, fought hard and well; the newcomers decimated by the onslaught of this fighting force. A figure drew her attention. Jonas! It was Jonas! Om-i-gawd—it was Jonas!

The fierce battle waged, bodies dropped before the deadly onslaught of Jonas’ team. Ruthlessly, they routed the beleaguered newcomers, giving no quarter, and when the last newcomer had been dispatched to that primeval hunting ground in the sky, the team finally rested.

Pushing up, Riley crawled across the blood-stained earth, reaching the spot where Nathan last fell. Shoving dead bodies to the side, she found him at the bottom of the gruesome pile. His colorless face—ashen and unmoving—terrified her. Crushing his bloody and bruised head to her breast, she gently rocked, willing him to be alive. “Nathan,” she moaned, “Nathan, don’t die!” Blinding tears fell in a river, raining down on Nathan’s pale, still face. “Please don’t leave me,” she begged, “not now.” Kissing his brow over and over, she wept uncontrollably, wailing her grief to the heavens.

“I’m drowning here,” Nathan’s weak voice complained. His eyelids fluttered open and those warm caramel eyes met hers.

“Nathan, Oh-mi-gawd, you scared me to death!”

“You think you were scared!” he coughed. “Watching you fight was the scariest thing I ever saw! You should have seen yourself! I didn’t know you had it in you!”

Tenderly, she brushed his hair back, admitting ruefully. “They made me really mad.”

“Remind me never to upset you or I won’t feel good about turning my back on you ever again.”

A fierce growl drew their attention. Demon planted himself between them and Jonas’ team, teeth bared, eyes burning red from a bloody, brutalized skull.

“Nathan! Call off your damn dog—I assume he’s your damn dog!” Irritation skewed Jonas’ face. The huge dog growled again, moving one stealthy step forward, hackles up, tense, waiting for Jonas to make one wrong move.

Giddy with overwhelming relief, Riley laughed. “He really is a big sweetie. Just give him a few days, and he’ll be sitting on your lap!”

“It’s the few days in between I’m worried about.”

Totally understanding, Riley giggled. “Been there, done that!”

The dog took another step, growling viciously, sharp canines snapping in warning.

“Damn it, Nathan, call off your damn dog!” Jonas snapped, inching backwards, his eyes glued to the monstrous animal.

“Demon—sit! It’s okay, boy, he’s a friend.” The dog relaxed immediately, but stayed put, refusing to allow anyone near his people.

Riley patted him on the rump, amazed the dog had survived. “You’re such a good puppy! Mommy loves you,” she crooned. Demon’s tail wagged in response, though his eyes remained focused intently on the new intruders.

Jonas’ eyes narrowed, glaring at her. “And how many times did I tell you never and I mean never turn your back on an opponent!” Demon huffed a small warning.

“Sorry,” she muttered contritely, looking away. “Things just got out of hand and I forgot Rule Number One.”

“Leave her alone,” Nathan grumbled. “If you hadn’t taken your sweet time getting here, there wouldn’t have been a problem.”

Laughing, the team drew close. “Old guy just couldn’t keep up with the rest of us.” Geena’s cheeky comment drew a fierce scowl from Jonas.

“Old guy!” Jonas sputtered. “You’ll think ‘old guy’ while your fat butt does night patrol for the next three weeks.

“Oooooooo! Geena make big man mad.” Cackling, Allie added her two bits.

“And you,” Jonas whirled. “I told you to stay with the horse. How many times do I have to tell you?”

“More than once—less than a thousand.” Unrepentant, Allie shrugged, sauntering away.

“And who is that?” Nathan’s eyes followed Allie.

“A big pain in the butt,” Jonas growled. “How she ever made it on this team is beyond me.”

“I thought she fought very well,” Riley interposed. “She certainly saved me!”

Jonas’ eyes followed the small woman. “Yeah,” he muttered ungraciously, “she did fight well.”

“I heard that!” Allie’s voice echoed cheerfully.

“Good hearing, too!” Nathan laughed.

Geena and Micah hauled Nathan upright, checking his wounds. Most were superficial, but two were cause for concern. “He needs stitches and bed rest. We need to get him back to Abe. Allie can bandage him for the time being.”

“Is Allie a paramedic or something?” Riley asked.

“I’m the midwife,” Allie piped up.

“I’m pretty sure I don’t need a midwife,” Nathan grumbled.

Eyeing Allie, Riley’s face brightened. “Maybe you don’t, but I’m thinking I might.”

Startled, Nathan’s mouth dropped open. “Are you trying to tell me something?” His eyes bored into hers.

Dead silence. All eyes focused on her. Awkwardly, Riley groped for the right words, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her, embarrassed by all the sudden attention. “Uh—well—I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” he demanded.

“Like we really had time and, besides, you had enough to worry about.”

Reaching for her, he enfolded her in the circle of his arms, nuzzling her neck and loving her as no other could. Riley breathed in his natural scent, clean and tangy, overlaid with the smell of blood and sweat.

Jonas cleared his throat. “Well, uh, congratulations—I guess!” Cheers erupted from the team, laughing and slapping each other as if they had played some part in the conception.

“Old friend—what are you doing here?” Nathan waited for a response.

Shrugging noncommittally, Jonas retorted. “Where else would I be? And why didn’t you tell me where you were going! I spent the last five or so years looking for you! It wasn’t until she” gesturing at Riley, “disappeared that I really began to suspect what happened. Then all it took was a little ‘persuasion’ and Miles spilled the whole story.”

“Poor Miles,” Riley commiserated. “Is he still alive?”

“He was the last time I saw him.” Jonas’ terse remark left Riley wondering.

“By the way, Bethany is here.”

Nathan froze and then glared, his eyes shooting hot sparks. “Here! What the hell is she doing here?” Nathan’s reaction was pretty much what Jonas expected.

“She wouldn’t be left behind. It was either bring her along or no one came.”

Nathan glanced around. “Where is she?”

“Back at the cave with your sheep—along with eight others. With Bethany, we had seventeen total to begin with, but we lost a man and one woman already in a bear attack, and one of our men got on the wrong side of a cat with really big teeth.”

“Is Bethany okay?”

“Yeah, ornery as always—you know Bethany.”

Riley’s eyes narrowed menacingly. “I have a few choice words I’d like to share with Bethany. And after that, she’s going to owe me a lot of back pay and I mean to collect, one way or another.” Secretly, Riley considered taking it out of her hide. The woman played God and no one had the right to do that.

Confused, Nathan asked. “But why? Why are all of you here?”

Waving his arms grandly, Jonas explained. “We came to save you and now, we’re going to stay.”

“Stay?”

“Yup,” Jonas grumbled reluctantly. “Can’t go back. Remember how it’s a one way trip. Well, things haven’t changed.” Grinning, he continued. “We’re your new family!”

Turning to the team members, he waved at the fallen newcomers. “Gather up anything we can use—weapons, food, whatever. They won’t be needing them. Allie! Bring that horse over here. Nathan, will the horse drag a travois?” The team scurried to do his bidding, collecting weapons and what few other incidentals the bodies held. It was grisly work, but no one complained.

“He’ll haul just about anything.” Pausing, Nathan looked to the west. The sun was rapidly setting. “It’ll be dark soon and we need to find shelter. The smell of blood will draw the predators like fat people to a buffet and we don’t want to be here when that happens.”

Micah ran down from the tree line, dragging two strong saplings behind. “While I was cutting these, I spotted a cave back up the hill that might provide cover for the night.” With few choices, it was the best solution—if no unfriendly critters currently inhabited the temporary quarters. A makeshift travois was hastily constructed and Nathan tied on. The horse balked at the weight, but with a good slap from Riley, he followed docilely. Riley walked by the travois, holding Nathan’s hand, still stunned by the realization that they had survived, and these people were here to stay. They weren’t alone anymore.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Luckily, the cave harbored no territorial occupants and they were firmly ensconced before full dark, just about the time the forest came alive. Sinister movements through the brush confirmed Nathan’s statement of predators massing, lurking and waiting for the chance to feed. Aside from that, for the first time in weeks, Riley felt totally safe. Her eyes were drawn to each member of the strike force. Thank God for Jonas—loyal, reliable Jonas! Geena and Micah looked to be a couple, cuddling close, whispering and laughing together in a small niche they claimed for themselves. Two quiet men, as yet unnamed, who looked to be both competent and deadly, and Allie, the small whirlwind. She appeared to be furtively watching Jonas and looked away guiltily as she caught Riley’s eye. Hmmmm, Riley plotted, there just might be something to this little scene.

Nathan rested beside her, sleeping soundly, snoring softly in the peace of the cave. His face had regained some color and the more serious wounds had stopped seeping blood, expertly packed by Allie’s capable little hands. She lightly dusted the wounds with antibiotic powder, protesting vehemently that it was natural, and therefore not contraband, and none of the numerous cuts appeared to be festering or showing signs of infection. Chilled and exhausted, Riley kept a lonely but contented vigil by his side. Few of the other team members remained about as most had settled down for the night, tired from the long day’s events. The small cooking fire was nothing but smoldering coals, casting eerie shadows on the uneven surface of the cave walls.

Jonas squatted down, draping a warm skin around her shoulders. “How’s he doing?”

“I think better. He’s resting easier.” Tenderly she stroked Nathan’s sweat-dampened forehead. “Still a little warm, but not overly so.”

“He’s tough. One of the many things I like about him.”

Riley arched an eyebrow at him. “And I’m surprised why?”

His mouth quirked, suppressing a grin. “Because I’m so tough myself! Nothing soft about me!”

Her green eyes studied him intently. “No. That’s not how I would describe you—although, the fact you showed up here so opportunely says something.”

Flushing red under her concentrated appraisal, Jonas searched for a witty rejoinder. Nothing popped up, so he opted for silence instead.

Secretly pleased at his discomfort, Riley basked in her small victory. “Answer me something. Was the team picked for compatible couples—you know—like Geena and Micah?”

“No,” he hesitated, puzzled by her question. “They were picked for their abilities.”

“So—there are still six women back at the other cave and three men—is one of the women your partner?”

“What makes you ask that?”

“It only makes sense. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that besides their various fields of expertise, you picked people capable of bearing children. Allie said that all of the women are under 35.”

“Allie talks too much,” he growled low.

“Like I’m not going to find out?” Amused, she watched him fidget, his eyes unwillingly drawn to the sleeping Allie, cuddled up to Demon, or perhaps Demon had done his usual, and cuddled up when no one was looking.

“I reiterate. She’s a pain in my butt!”

“Methinks he protests too much,” she quipped.

Nathan stirred, tossing fitfully. “Did anyone notice I’m trying to sleep here,” he groaned.

“What was the real reason you came here?” she asked Jonas, soothing Nathan gently, quieting his restlessness.

Seemingly lost in thought, Jonas answered slowly. “Because I don’t belong in the future. I belong in a time where my people were free to follow the winds and stalk the deer and elk.” Motioning around, he continued. “Most of the tribal members feel the same way. The others, like Micah and Geena, live for the adrenalin rush, and what better rush can there be than this little adventure?”

Nodding understandingly, she chewed her lower lip. “I wasn’t given a choice to be here. I was selected—by Bethany.”

“Are you unhappy?” Jonas asked concerned.

“No. Nathan is all I never really knew I wanted.” A sad smile creased her lips. “Bethany just should have been honest with me. I thought I would eventually go home.”

“Do you have someone waiting for you?” Never having known this side of the story, Jonas was at a loss to comfort her.

“Nope! Not even a pet. Pretty sad, isn’t it?” Embarrassed, her eyes dropped.

“Yeah,” he agreed, determined to lift her mood. “But look what you have now—a man, a baby on the way, and all of us. What more could you possibly want?”

Riley smiled, pleased by his comments. “Nothing—nothing at all! My life back there was pretty lonely. I only had my work and classes. I didn’t have anyone to share with and no one who truly loved me in a very long time.”

“Seems to me, even though you weren’t asked, you ended up where you’re supposed to be!”

Nathan planted a light kiss on her wrist. “Yes, she is,” he breathed. “Now go away and let me sleep.”

“Yes, master,” Jonas grumbled, his dark figure moving away into the shadows. Riley suspected he wouldn’t sleep this night, taking full watch to allow the others to rest.

Nathan pulled her down beside him, snuggling and nuzzling the nape of her neck, rocketing titillating chills down her spine. His body pressed against her, familiar and welcome, his heat rapidly warming her still cool skin. By the feel of things, everything still worked from his end.

“Go to sleep!” she huffed quietly. “I swear! The sicker you are, the hornier you get.”

“And that’s a problem because?”

“What if someone hears you or happens to notice?” Furtively, she eyed the nearby sleepers.

“Then you’ll just have to be really quiet.” He continued his exploration of her neck, her ears, her lips, coming to rest on her shoulder.

“Guess my mental imaging was stronger than my physical abilities,” he admitted weakly.

Wrapping her arms around him, she giggled softly, “Give us a couple of days and a little privacy, and you’ll be as good as new.”

“Probably...better,” he sighed, as he dropped off to sleep.

Men and egos, she smiled, one and the same.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

The journey back took considerably longer than the earlier downhill, headlong rush. Most of the time they fought an uphill climb, scrabbling for handholds, hampered even more by having to drag the travois up the rocky incline. The small horse lost his footing several times and the travois slid backwards, bouncing and banging against rocks and boulders as Nathan yelped in agony.

By the time they reached the higher plateau, everyone was exhausted, and traveling further that day would be heedless and risky. Wearily, they searched for a safe haven to spend the fast approaching night. The tree line loomed dark and uninviting, harboring savage beasts in the gloomy interior. Memories of the recent bear attack discouraged them from staying in the open and, reluctantly, they opted for the safety to be found in the trees. The team selected one huge spreading conifer that fit their needs to perfection, hastily constructing small makeshift platforms from the smaller branches at hand.

The travois was hoisted up and even the small horse was blindfolded, trussed and then lifted up to be tied securely, his nostrils flaring nervously. Demon followed suit, snapping and growling at everything and everyone, but eventually settled down near Nathan, his eyes gleaming silver in the moonlight. Satisfied they were out of harm’s way, the team dined on jerked beef and water and then retired, Geena and Micah taking first watch, to be followed by the two men, whom Riley discovered were named Seth and Mark, though which was which, she couldn’t say.

Making Nathan as comfortable as possible in their lofty perch, Riley, uneasy with heights, tied a rope securely across their resting spot, fearful of falling off while sleeping. Below, the forest came alive with the stealthy sounds of animals stalking through the brush, drawn by the promise of easy prey, only to move away when their curiosity waned. The twittering of bats and the call of the night hunters was her lullaby on this night.

CHAPTER FIFTY

Morning came too early and the team listlessly made ready to depart, tired and eager for some down time. Allie rechecked Nathan’s wounds, spreading more of the antibiotic dust and proclaiming him fit to travel. The animals were lowered to the ground along with their supplies and, lastly, Nathan, who adamantly protested his ability to walk, using Allie’s words to fortify his argument. It took some serious conniving on Jonas’ part to convince him to ride one more day, though he grumbled and growled for the first hour of their journey. Jonas calculated that they would meet up with the other members of the team by late afternoon and, barring any problems, would rest at the cave for several days while they planned their future. Geena and Micah took point, returning periodically to check their progress and to report on the trail ahead. Compared to the previous day’s trials, today was a walk in the park. Riley strode beside the travois, periodically touching and caressing Nathan, unwilling to be apart from him for even a short time.

Mid-afternoon they halted as a form stepped into the clearing, excitedly hailing the group. The individual was dressed much the same as Jonas’ team and Riley had no doubt they had finally made it back to the cave. More individuals, mostly women, stepped into view, laughing, clapping and waving.

Nathan rose up from the travois. “Do you see Bethany?”

“Not yet—but I’m hoping.” Riley’s mouth tightened. Forgiveness would only come after she had a chance to vent.

Nathan eyed her askance. “You won’t hurt her, will you?”

“Not permanently.” Riley searched the new individuals. One such, a man, limped behind, aided by a familiar form. “We have a winner,” she breathed.

Concerned for Bethany’s imminent health, Nathan tried again. “You don’t want to hurt her. She did what she did because of me. Pound on me if it’ll make you feel better.”

Riley rested her hand lightly on his cheek, her eyes calm and devoid of anger. “I’m not going to hurt her, but it’s my constitutional right to speak freely and I intend to do just that.”

“Oh, boy,” Nathan groaned, lying back. “Bethany’s toast!”

As they reached the group, Bethany ran forward, her eyes alight with love and happiness. “Nathan!” she cried, tears flowing freely. “I prayed they would find you in time! You’re hurt! How bad?” Motioning the men to set him down, she busied herself prodding each of the wounds, nodding and clucking knowingly as she unbound each one. An older man stepped forward, long black braids framing his hawkish features. “Let me see to him,” waving Bethany back.

“Who are you?” Nathan’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“He’s the spiritual leader and medicine man.” Jonas offered helpfully.

“Medicine man?” Riley asked. “We have a medicine man?”

“My name is Abe,” the older man introduced himself. “I’m a tribal healer. In our time, I received a degree in medicine from Duke University, but my practice since has been mostly in natural remedies. I also do spiritual healing from time to time.” Ignoring them further, he proceeded with a cursory examination. Though primitive in appearance, the man sounded educated and confident in his own abilities.

“I’m perfectly fine,” Nathan growled. “All I need is a few days’ rest.”

“Shut up, Nathan!” Riley scolded. “Let the man do what he needs to do.”

After a short time, Abe stood up, reached for the horse’s halter and led the horse-drawn travois out of the clearing towards the cave entrance. Riley followed, hot on his heels, amazed that they had a real doctor.

“So—is he going to be all right?”

He nodded.

“How bad is it?”

“Not bad,” was his only comment.

Presuming he would enlarge upon the subject, she waited expectantly. “Don’t talk much, do you?”

He shook his head no. Frustrated, she strode the remaining distance to the cave. Bethany entered shortly after.

Good time as any to corner her, Riley decided, determined to get the unpleasantries out of the way. Catching her arm, Riley began. “Bethany—we have some talking to do.”

Bethany nodded, eyes steady and waiting, face tense.

“Why didn’t you tell me where you were sending me?” A lump formed in Riley’s throat, threatening tears.

Bethany’s face softened. “Because he needed you! Don’t you see that?”

This was going to be harder than Riley expected. “I know, and I know you meant well. But what gave you the right to make the decision for me? I had the right to decide.”

Bethany glanced furtively at Nathan, who was being prodded, washed and medicated by Abe, too engrossed to pay attention to their quiet conversation. “Has Nathan told you about his childhood—his early years?”

Riley nodded. “He said his parents died when he was young.”

Bethany nodded her head. “They did, but they were only his adoptive parents.”

“What do you mean? He didn’t say anything about being adopted.” Riley’s eyes pierced Bethany, anxiously awaiting her response.

Bethany hesitated, cleared her throat, then took a deep breath. “Nathan doesn’t know this, but he isn’t my nephew. He’s my son.” Her eyes grew wet and moisture slipped down her cheeks.

“Go on,” Riley prompted.

Bethany blurted the words out. “I was sixteen, a gifted child, and I got pregnant and my parents were afraid it would ruin my life and wanted me to get rid of the baby, but I wouldn’t. They kept pressuring me and pressuring me so, finally, my older brother and his wife took my baby in and adopted him so I could make a normal life. But I couldn’t stay away, and whenever I could, I was there for him, and after my brother and his wife died, I did everything I could to make him happy.”

She was crying openly now, shoulders shaking in grief and sorrow. “I have always loved him so much and I want him to be happy.” Taking Riley’s hand, she pleaded softly. “Don’t hate me! I never meant to hurt you. I really thought you and Nathan would be good together.”

The last vestiges of latent anger melted as Riley hugged Bethany close. “We are happy, but next time ask, don’t just assume.”

“Don’t tell Nathan—promise me.” Bethany pleaded, her eyes wells of sorrow. “He would hate me if he knew.”

“I don’t think so,” Riley objected. “He deserves to know. He loves you, don’t you realize that?”

“But he’ll never forgive me! I couldn’t stand that.”

“You’ll never know until you try. Nathan is very protective of you. When he thought I was going to pound on you, he offered to take your place.”

“Are you going to beat me up?” Bethany asked plaintively, wringing her hands anxiously.

“Not physically,” Riley explained. “But you deserve a good tongue thrashing for what you did to me.”

“I do,” Bethany agreed somberly. “But Nathan was so alone and I couldn’t bear that. I was afraid he was going off the deep end, so I made a decision and you were the result.”

“I know that, but did you stop to think what could possibly have happened to me?” Riley’s gaze penetrated the smaller woman’s eyes. “I was almost kidnapped by Neanderthals the afternoon I arrived.”

Shamefaced, Bethany’s eyes dropped. “I tried not to think about the consequences, but sometimes when I looked at you, I felt so awful, I almost couldn’t do it. I knew you deserved better, but so did Nathan.”

Amazed she had such a change of heart towards the older woman, Riley stood there, shaking her head disgustedly. “You’re making it really hard for me to be mad at you,” she griped. “And how am I supposed to be a botanist here?”

“Well, we do need someone to identify plants,” Bethany volunteered hopefully. “The primitive tribes always had women who were natural healers and gatherers, and passed that knowledge on to their children. Everyone here has some specialty that will benefit the others. Me, not so much. No real need for a time travel expert.”

“Why did you come?”

“There was nothing there for me. My career was over, or would be after they found out what I’d done.” She shrugged unconcerned. “Nathan is all I have left and I want to hold my grandchildren.”

“Didn’t the tribes also have what they called ‘wise women’? Perhaps you could have that title.”

“I suppose,” Bethany said hesitantly, “though the phrase ‘wise woman’ might not apply well to me.”

“I think it will do just fine. I would never have met Nathan but for your wisdom, albeit the underhanded variety.” There was nothing more that Riley could say. Pleased, her face pink, Bethany gave Riley a swift hug and then exited the cave, off to help feed the weary travelers and see to their comfort. Riley watched her leave, lost in thought.

Nathan’s grumblings and curses broke through her reverie. “Will you get over here and save me from this maniac,” he whined. “If he sticks me with something one more time, I’m going to kill him.”

Abe’s eyes flickered with amusement. “He’ll be fine in a few days. Just make sure he gets lots of rest. I’ll check on him later.” Silently, he departed the confines of the cave. Riley looked around for the first time since they returned. The sheep were penned in a small area in the corner of the room, well fed and content. Abe had tethered the small horse to the pen and Demon stood watch, guarding and waiting for the sheep to make one wrong move. The room had a homey, lived-in look. No doubt the women had a hand in that. Clay cooking pots lined a fire pit in the center of the cave and wonderful smells drifted up. Mouth watering, Riley’s stomach rumbled, reminding her that it had been some time since she’d had a decent meal. A woman tending the fire caught Riley’s eye and, smiling, she dished up a bowl of stew and handed Riley a wooden spoon.

Nathan called from his corner. “I could use some of that food, too.”

“I bet you could,” she teased. “Do you know someone who’ll get you some?”

His eyes narrowed in mock anger. “Okay, you ornery brat, just wait 'til I get my hands on you.”

“Promises, promises.” Teasingly, Riley licked her spoon, savoring the delightful jolt to her taste buds. Nathan made as if to get up. “Just relax, He-Man, I’m going to wait on you, but I didn’t want you to get the idea that it was going to be a regular habit.”

Grinning, he relaxed. “I knew that, but wanted to see how far you’d push.”

The smiling woman dished up another bowl. “I could feed him if you want,” she offered shyly.

“I can feed myself,” Nathan interjected grumpily.

Riley waved her spoon at Nathan. “See what I have to put up with. By the way, I’m Riley Ames, and you are…”

“Rachel. Chief cook, bottle washer and expert food preserver.”

“Ah!” Riley smiled. “An important person. Nathan, be nice to this woman or you’ll starve.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Over the course of the next few hours, introductions were made of the various team members and by nightfall, Riley had a working idea of each individual’s name and their field of expertise. Flint knappers, weapons experts, weavers, potters, hunters and food gatherers, food preservation, tanners, naturopathic healers and even a spiritual guide—every skill needed by the group to survive in this new lifetime. Besides their specific expertise, each individual possessed more than just the basics in several areas, and each was more than willing to share their knowledge with those willing to learn.

As Allie indicated earlier, except for Bethany, every woman was under the age of 35, healthy and physically able to bear children. Impressed and awed by her newfound extended family, Riley wandered from person to person, gleaning information about their present and past lives, eager to become a full-fledged member of this new tribe. No one rejected her advances, and even Seth and Mark, though the least communicative, were friendly and helpful in pointing out their areas of expertise. The women were a chatty and friendly mishmash, eager to bring Riley into the fold. It was a sense of belonging she had never before experienced.

As the group settled down for the night, Jonas stood up and coughed for attention. “I want to discuss a few things with you before we retire,” he began. “Just some things to think about and after we’ve had a few days to rest and a chance to recover from the previously days’ ordeals, we’ll need to address some issues.”

Silently, everyone waited expectantly for his next words. Clearly, Jonas’ leadership was undisputed.

“We know that the people Nathan calls the newcomers are pretty aggressive. Nathan indicates that a larger group joined the smaller strike force, and he’s fairly certain they’re taking up permanent residence in the area. We don’t have the means or the manpower to prevent that from happening, and we have to decide what we are going to do from here on out.”

Heads nodded in understanding and agreement.

Nathan cleared his throat, “They pretty much decimated the band of Neanderthals who lived down below by the river. I don’t know what happened to the survivors of that attack, but I’m sure they cleared out as well.”

“What about staying here?” Geena asked.

“Yeah, what about here?” Micah echoed.

“I think we’re probably okay for the time being, but eventually they’ll find us and I suspect they would consider us as encroaching on their territory.” Nathan glanced around the room. “And they don’t play games—they play for keeps.”

Voices clamored as questions and suggestions were tossed out. Finally, Jonas whistled shrilly, signaling for quiet. “One at a time people!”

Riley ventured a question. “Do you want our suggestions now or when?”

Jonas paused for a moment. “I want you to really think the situation through and in a few days, we’ll convene a council meeting and all decide on what we think is the best course.”

“And who will make the final decision if there’s a dispute among us?” Bethany’s voice rose up.

“Unless you object, I think everyone has an equal voice here.” Jonas surveyed the group, looking for signs of discontent. “If a dispute does come up, we’ll all vote on it and do what the majority decides.”

“Maybe we should scout the area to be sure how extensive the opposition is.” Seth spoke softly, his eyes sparkling in the firelight.

“I agree,” Allie piped up. “We can’t make a decision until we know for sure what we’re up against.”

“That’s a good suggestion,” Jonas remarked. “Who wants the honor?” Several lifted their hands, Geena and Micah among them.

“I’m the only one here who really knows the surrounding area. I should be one of the ones to go,” Nathan calmly stated.

“Not on your life!” Bethany and Riley shouted in unison, startled by their combined one track mind.

“I have to go,” Nathan reiterated. “There’s just no other option. If I don’t go, it’ll take too long. I’ve been here for quite some time and I know the lay of the land. I can get us in close without alerting them to our presence.”

Reluctantly, Jonas agreed. “He’s right. We don’t know the area. He does.” Gazing intently at Nathan, Jonas asked, “How long before you’re healthy enough to make the trip—and I want an honest answer.”

The healer, Abe, voiced objection. “He can’t make the trip! He isn’t strong enough and he won’t be for several weeks.”

“I have to go,” Nathan reasoned. “No one else knows the country like I do.”

Riley’s stomach plummeted. She knew Nathan too well by now to know that he wouldn’t be left behind—which meant she was going as well. No rest for the weary—or the disinclined for that matter.

“I can make the trip whenever,” Nathan offered.

“I need a more definitive answer.” Jonas waited, hands on hips.

“Day after tomorrow—that’ll give the others a chance to rest and I should be back on my feet by then, at least enough to go the distance.” Nathan’s words drilled into Riley. Why couldn’t he just let someone else go? She silently groaned. He could make a map or something!

Standing up, she faced Jonas, her intent green eyes fixed on him, determined and resolute. “If Nathan goes, I go, too!”

“Nope, not this time. It’ll be hard enough taking care of Nathan. We don’t need a pregnant woman along to slow us up as well.” Jonas’ face appeared carved from stone.

“Either I go—or I follow. It’s very simple.” Refusing to cower under his angry stare, Riley stood her ground. “I won’t be apart from him—ever!”

Bethany moved to her side. “Riley, we all understand, but you have the baby to think about.”

Riley’s lips tightened into a firm line. “I say again, if Nathan goes, I go, too! There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. I’ve proved myself more than once and I’m going. Get used to the idea!”

Geena snorted, laughing out loud. “You go, girl!”

Several of the other women nodded in agreement, taking up Riley’s cause.

“She has the right!”

“She’s earned it!”

“Let her go!”

Turning to Nathan, she leaned down, forcing him to look directly at her. “You know I’ll follow!”

Grimly, Nathan nodded, conceding her victory. “Okay! Okay! You win! But you’d better listen and do whatever you’re told!”

“Don’t I always?” She grinned, her voice soft and beguiling.

Jonas smirked, unconvinced. “Okay, everyone, in two days’ time, Nathan, Riley, Geena, Micah and I will leave to scout the area. Seth and Mark, you two will hold down the fort until we return. Now let’s get some sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow and we need to be alert.”

The fire was banked and night watch assigned. Demon snuggled in next to Riley, sighing as he stretched out. Safe in her little cocoon between Nathan and the dog, Riley’s eyes closed and sleep soon claimed her.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

The following morning, Nathan was up early, taking small walks around the open area in front of the cave, and building up his strength. The wound to his leg was healing well and, though he walked stiffly and with a slight limp, he appeared better. Riley and Demon followed him around, garnering good-natured hoots and laughter whenever they passed by the toiling team members. During Nathan’s periods of rest, Riley would join the individuals gathering edible foodstuffs, aiding with her considerable knowledge of the diverse assortment of plant life. Besides Abe and Mira, a naturopath, several of the team members had more than a working knowledge of the surrounding flora and gathering became a game as to who could find the most plants. By noon, they had identified and gathered several large armfuls of vegetation, more than enough to last for several days time; as well as drying a large portion for storage.

The hunters returned with a good supply of meat, mostly rabbits and large rodents which were in abundance. Several larger animals had been spotted, and tomorrow they would hunt those as well. Great amounts of meat would be preserved either for the coming winter or to supplement their diet if the decision was made to move elsewhere. It was a busy and industrious group, and Riley delighted in their camaraderie and unselfish acceptance of their respective duties. Everyone was important.

Her mind drifted to the recon planned for tomorrow. She was still pissed off that Nathan had volunteered, but there was little to be done except resign herself to the inevitable. Nathan wasn’t acting the hero; he just always did what had to be done, regardless of the consequences. She just hoped he was strong enough to make the trip. Once again, she was thankful she was built for endurance—if she had to, she would carry him.

Absentmindedly, she patted Demon’s head. The dog was displaying some trauma guarding her as well as Nathan from these new intruders. He had yet to accept that they were friends and not enemies. She suspected he was getting tired of barring his teeth every few minutes, but so far, he had not displayed any unwarranted aggression. He was just being his usual grumpy self in the face of uncertain times. Riley almost laughed out loud as another unsuspecting team member ventured too close to her and Demon’s hackles rose. Startled, the man moved cautiously away, careful not to step any closer.

“You are such a big poop,” she gushed, scratching his back as he leaned against her. “I won’t tell them that you really are a big baby—just like Nathan said.”

By early evening, all preparations had been made and weapons readied for the following day’s trek. Tired and hungry, Riley entered the cave, intent on eating and then retiring early. Good idea except for the fact that their bed had disappeared. Her eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the cave and, after a cursory search, she discovered Nathan reclining on their bedding in a secluded alcove of the cave, grinning suspiciously. A flat rock, lit by a sputtering candle, held dinner for two as well as a single bloom resting across one setting. Charmed by his attempt at a romantic interlude, her lips curved in a pleased smile.

“Expecting company?” She asked.

“Not any more. All the important ones are here.” Nathan rose up and dropped a skin over the opening to the little alcove.

“Where’s Demon?” Other than the two of them, no one else was in attendance.

“Allie’s babysitting for the night. Amazingly enough, he seems to like her.” Nathan’s eyes gleamed seductively in the candlelight.

“So—what’s on the menu?”

Nathan reached out, pulling her close and kissing her ear, sending excited chills up and down her spine. “First food,” he breathed, “then entertainment.”

“Like a movie or something?”

“Something like that—only we’re going to be the actors.” He continued his onslaught of her senses.

“What’s the occasion?”

“It’s a celebration.” His lips claimed hers in a soul-searing kiss.

“What kind of celebration?” She gasped.

“Life, love, commitment—you name it.”

“Good ones! Will this be a yearly celebration?” He was making it very hard to concentrate and food suddenly seemed very low on her list of important items.

Concerned, she pushed him away. “Are you up for this?”

“Completely—or hadn’t you noticed,” he murmured against her neck.

Yes, she had noticed, only a dead woman wouldn’t, pressed against his hard body the way she was.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Everyone gathered to see them off. Single file, they left the encampment amid choruses of good luck and well-meaning, last minute instructions. Geena and Micah took point with Jonas following up at the rear. Demon paced alongside, having made it immensely clear he would not be left behind. Several of the remaining team members would nurse small nips received in their ill-advised efforts to restrain him. Tongue lolling out, his eyes suspiciously bright, Riley was certain he was laughing in his own doggy fashion.

Nathan appeared rested and stronger. The plan was for him to lead them to the overhang and wait while Jonas, Micah and Geena scouted the area. Riley would remain with him along with Demon. The plan was simple and straightforward, she mused, so why do I feel like a third-class passenger on the Titanic?

Geena and Micah fanned out, silently disappearing into the brush. Demon watched the area where they disappeared for several seconds, his ears twitching as he sniffed the air. They hiked steadily for several hours, careful to avoid too much time in the open, watching for intruders and the never-ending bevy of large-toothed predators.

The sun was at full noon by the time they reached the incline leading to the overhang jutting out over the encampment of the others. Geena and Micah appeared as silently as they had departed, finding nothing of interest to cause alarm. A short rest was called and, gratefully, Riley settled down in a sheltered lee at the edge of the tree line. The shade was a welcome respite, the air cooled by a breeze wafting through the trees. Nathan stretched out beside her, his face showing signs of strain. Worried, she settled his head on her lap, stroking his furrowed brow.

“Are you hungry?” she asked quietly. They could all use some food.

“Not really,” he said, turning his face and kissing her belly.

“You’ll feel better if you eat,” she scolded. “You have to keep your strength up. It’s a long walk back.”

Reaching into her pack, she pulled out several strips of jerky and a water skin, forcing him to eat.

Jonas squatted down. “We’re going on up. You two stay here and rest. Keep Demon with you, and keep him quiet.”

Riley nodded, catching Demon’s halter. “Down, boy, get down,” she commanded. The dog sat down next to Nathan, his large brown eyes regarding her curiously. “Stay here with Nathan.” His tail thumped repeatedly on the solid ground.

Watching with trepidation as the three departed, Riley’s chest constricted in nervous anxiety. Nathan sat up and gathered his weapons, sitting against a tree and watching the open area beyond the tree line. Demon watched the forest, his eyes following every movement with interest. Riley reached for her war club, feeling more in control as she gripped the handle, her hands clammy and stiff. Suddenly, the forest loomed too near, every sound a portent of approaching danger.

“Just relax,” Nathan’s voice soothed her. “If anything’s near, Demon will let us know.”

“What if he misses something?” she croaked.

“He won’t.”

Nothing could dissuade her that danger was in the offing. Her skin itched and the hair on the nape of her neck tingled. They were being watched—she could feel it—but by whom or what? Silently, she began counting the minutes until Jonas, Micah and Geena returned. It seemed forever since they’d left.

Demon growled low, rising up and staring intently into the dark recesses of the forest. Hackles shot up as he crouched, stalking slightly forward. Riley’s stomach rolled, bile rising in her throat, threatening to spew forth. Who ever heard of morning sickness at noon, she thought disgustedly. Swallowing convulsively, she schooled herself to stay calm. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Nathan notch an arrow, swiveling to face the direction Demon watched so fixedly.

“Relax,” he breathed softly.

Demon growled again, his tail twitching slightly, every muscled tensed to spring. His huge, white body a terrible killing machine.

“Stay,” Nathan commanded, barely whispering. Something moved silently through the trees, staying in deep cover, but there just the same. Goosebumps broke out on Riley’s arms as a cold chill raced through her system. Her ears strained to hear some movement, her eyes struggled to see. Nothing but darkness and the only sound was the rustling of leaves as the wind danced through. She crept behind Nathan, careful not to disrupt his concentration, keeping her eyes on the open landscape.

Demon growled again, his fangs showing as he bared his teeth in rage. Barking furiously, teeth gnashing the air and lunging in short bursts, he challenged the intruder.

“Down,” Nathan hissed, “Demon—down!”

An arrow ziinnggged by, embedding in a tree behind them. Nathan loosed several arrows immediately along the projectile’s backward path, rewarded by a yelp of pain.

“Got one,” he crowed softly. “I spotted two more working their way around. Keep your eyes open.”

Demon whirled and lunged by Riley, landing on a crawling intruder, ripping and tearing until the man expired, his face a mangled mess of blood, torn skin and bone. Riley’s stomach heaved again. Okay, baby, she crooned silently, don’t make mommy sick.

Arrows arched and pounded, impaling the ground and vegetation surrounding their hiding place, barely missing with each volley.

“Move!” Nathan roared. “Get out of here!”

Tripping and sliding, Riley ran at a low crouch, following Nathan’s lead. A newcomer rose up from cover, knocking Nathan to the ground, howling in triumph, his sharpened teeth glistening evilly in the murky light of the gloomy forest. Jumping astride Nathan’s chest, he plunged a wicked looking knife downward, only to be stopped as Nathan grabbed his wrist and wrenched the knife away. Riley tightened her hold on the war club and rushed in, wielding the heavy club as though it were a baseball bat—and this was batting practice! Home run time, she thought. Swinging with as much force as she was able, the club landed solidly against the newcomer’s temple. Blood flew and bones crunched as the man went down, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Nathan leapt to his feet, retrieving his weapons in one single motion. “Move—move,” he growled, zigzagging through the dense forestation.

Demon nipped at her butt, pushing her along and forcing a faster pace. Nathan veered to the right with Riley hot on his heels, as two more newcomers rushed forward. Headlong, they exited the dense vegetation and angled across the open landscape, heading towards the rock wall abutting the northern edge. The pace was grueling and Riley was having a hard time keeping up when Nathan’s leg gave out. Stumbling, he tripped and fell, cursing as he rolled. Riley swooped down, hoisted him up and dragged him along, blessing those genetics codes that endowed her with the size and strength to do such a feat. Nathan whistled and Demon raced to the tree line, backtracking and stalking those who chased his people. Riley heard a man’s agonized scream as the dog scored, viciously raging as he took the man down. Another man hesitated for only a second and then resumed the chase, too close for comfort.

“You have to take him out,” Nathan gasped, grimacing in pain as he limped with difficulty, leaning heavily on Riley.

“Me?” she cried. “How am I supposed to do that?” Half carrying Nathan had eaten up what energy reserves she had.

“Same way you got the last guy. Use your club and let him make the first move.”

“I can’t do it,” she moaned. “I’m not good enough!”

“Yes, you are, sweetie. We don’t have another choice. I can’t do it.”

Reaching a small outcropping of rocks at the base of the rock cliff, Riley unceremoniously dropped Nathan to the ground, whirling around to face the warrior as he bore down on them. She crouched slightly, one foot in front of the other, balancing on the balls of her feet, gently waving the war club, and drawing the attacker’s full attention. He halted, laughing derisively.

Stepping slowly away from Nathan, her attention wholly on the newcomer, Riley assessed her opponent. Red streaks of paint daubed his face and chest, a necklace of teeth and feathers ringed his bull neck and a dirty skin draped his loins, barely concealing his nether parts. Tall and muscular, this was a seasoned warrior, not some callow youth out to prove his manhood. Slowly moving in a wide circle around the man, she waited, giving him the opportunity to strike first.

He smiled, rotten teeth filed to sharp points, sinister and deadly.

Taking several deep breaths, Riley relaxed slightly, easing tense muscles.

The man lunged, slashing with knives, testing her defenses. Riley cracked his forearm with the club, sending one of the knives flying. Her concentration was totally focused on the man and his every move. Good try, Buckwheat, she thought, but I’m a little better than that. He tried the same maneuver, playing with her and, as if bored with the game, he backed off, strutting like a giant ugly peacock, cocky and arrogant.

Where was Demon when she needed him? The warrior continued his cocky strutting, savoring the moment, his whole demeanor dripping with contempt—she was a woman and therefore easy prey. Riley’s mouth tightened into a grim line. Maybe women of his time didn’t fight, but this woman does!

“Don’t let him rattle you,” Nathan’s voice broke through. “Make him come to you.”

Slowly and carefully she kept moving around him, until his back was to the rock wall. Nervously, she glanced quickly over her shoulder, worried that another would approach silently from behind.

“Don’t look away,” Nathan growled. “I’ll tell you if someone comes.”

Contemptuously, the warrior gestured, his body language easy to read—first Riley and then Nathan! Looking over her head, his sneer lessened somewhat as Demon nosed Riley’s hip, announcing his presence.

“‘Bout time you got here,” she scolded quietly. The dog’s chest rumbled. She could feel him tensing to spring. Nathan muttered a command and the dog moved at an angle, forcing the warrior to divide his attention between the two of them. Some of his cockiness left, but none of his innate deadliness. Reaching down, he pulled another knife from a sheath at waist level. He was going to attack—Riley could see it in his eyes! Swallowing heavily, she braced herself. Moving quickly for a man his size, he shifted around, putting Riley between him and the dog, and charged. Riley jumped aside, barely avoiding his knife and having no time to react with her own assault. Demon lunged, but the big man ducked in time to avoid Demons’ gnashing teeth.

Nathan yelled a warning as the big man rolled sideways, springing to his feet and hurtling towards Riley, knives glinting in the sunlight. Demon attacked again, viciously lunging in and then retreating before the man had the chance to connect, but distracting him long enough for Riley to regain her feet, back off and brace for the big man’s next move. Nathan whistled in the background. Her peripheral vision detected Demon working his way around and maneuvering for his next strike. Some of Riley’s innate fear calmed. Demon was there to aid her, guided by Nathan’s sharp commands. All she had to do was keep the big man’s attention on her long enough for Demon to finish the job.

Holding the war club in front of her, she glared down its length, a forced smirk twisting her lips as she faced him. Time for her to toss some attitude into the ring! The big man’s eyes narrowed as though seeking to read her very thoughts. Sneering openly, she blatantly challenged the big man, whipping the club down and banging the ground in defiance. Demon was almost directly behind the man by now, crouched down, his huge jaws open, canines bared as he literally crawled forward. Behind the dog, Nathan dragged himself to his feet, leaning heavily on a sturdy stick and balancing on one leg as he hopped unsteadily forward. The big man charged, barreling down on Riley, incredibly fast for his size. As he bore down on her, Riley feinted to the side, ducking completely down and swinging her club at the same time, landing a sharp blow squarely on the backside of his left knee, collapsing his leg. Stumbling, he righted himself, growling in fury, and turned, ready to spring again.

“Riley!” Nathan screamed. “Look up!”

The sound of rocks falling drew her attention. The rock wall behind the big man seemed to erupt in a shower of loose boulders and rocks, cascading down and burying the big man swiftly in its wake. Demon’s teeth tore into Riley’s leather pants, dragging her backwards, barely avoiding the same fate as her attacker. Shocked by the unexpected torrent of rocks and earth, Riley lay trembling, blessing the dog and her guardian angel that she still drew breath.

“Look up there,” Nathan waved his hand towards the rock wall. “On the ledge above.”

Riley’s eyes worked there way slowly up, her mind refusing to believe what she saw. Four women of the others knelt on the edge, their long hair obscuring their faces as they peered down.

One by one, the women above stood up, gathered up a large bundle and turned away, moving out of sight. The smallest of the women was the last to leave and as she stood up, she stopped, raising her arm in a gesture of goodbye.

“It’s her!” Nathan said huskily. “It’s the one I saved that day when I went to the overhang—the day the newcomers attacked and destroyed the village.”

“They saved us?” Riley couldn’t believe the truth.

“I’m guessing that’s what’s going on.” Nothing else would explain the avalanche of rocks appearing so suddenly.

Nathan whistled loudly and whooped with elation, waving wildly as he tried to convey their gratitude. The young woman’s arm dropped and she stepped back, out of the light of sight, never to be seen again, disappearing into the mists of time.

Nathan’s eyes danced. “Guess the neighbors aren’t so bad after all. Can you believe what just happened?”

“Can I believe I’m still alive?” Riley’s lips still trembled. “No—I don’t.”

“She helped us! There’s no other explanation!” A wide grin threatened to split his face in two.

“Well, I helped, too, you know,” Riley grumbled, pissed that he was ignoring her contribution.

Nathan’s face fell. “Of course you did—you did most of it,” he apologized lamely. “We wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t fought him like you did.” He hobbled over. “I’m just surprised that they made any attempt at all to help.”

Riley pouted, refusing to be pacified. “I didn’t see any of them being knocked to the ground and eating dirt and…and...everything!” Stomping off, she brushed the soil and twigs from her leathers, needing time to allow the adrenalin to drop.

Across the open glen, Jonas, Geena and Micah came at a fast trot, their faces betraying their concern.

Nathan watched their progress until they stood in front of him. “Do you ever get anywhere on time?”

Jonas’ eyes glinted. “I kinda thought you’d want to show off and be the hero—save the fair damsel or something—and I didn’t want to mess up your timing.” Gesturing at Riley, he shrugged questioningly. “Is she okay?”

Nathan grimaced. “Sometimes I don’t say the right thing and her feelings are hurt.”

Geena said dryly, “From where we were, it looked like more than her feelings were being hurt. She was doing all the fighting while you sat on your fat butt and watched.”

Nathan turned to Jonas. “Is she always like that?”

Geena chuckled, flipping them off, and then strode over to join Riley.

Jonas drew a deep breath. “Maybe I should have been more careful about the women we picked to come on this little excursion.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Micah chimed in. “Geena’s all right with me.”

“That’s because you’re getting some.” Jonas smirked.

“Not my fault you don’t have what it takes.” Micah quipped. “Maybe I can give you some pointers.”

“We tagged three on our way back.” Jonas calmly stated. “Didn’t see any others, but it won’t be long before they’re missed.”

“I took out two and Riley would have taken that guy if the others hadn’t.” Nathan nodded at the pile of rocks. “I know Demon took down two as well back in the trees.”

“Geena, Micah—find the bodies and dispose of them. Might give us some extra time while they look.” Jonas jogged to the rock slide, making sure nothing was left to indicate a body rested underneath. After searching the area thoroughly and strategically arranging a few larger rocks, he came back, satisfied that the body would never be found.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Riley’s trembling and fit of nerves finally subsided. She strode determinedly to Nathan’s side and casually began administering to his leg wound.

His brows knitted in concern, Nathan sheepishly apologized. “I didn’t mean to offend you. We wouldn’t still be here if you hadn’t fought so well.”

“Don’t you forget it, Buckwheat!” Riley growled at him.

“I was really proud of you—I was scared sick though.”

“He’s sick anyway,” Jonas quipped. “That’s why he’s here—so he doesn’t hurt anyone.” Grinning, he sauntered away as Nathan’s eyes shot bolts of fire at his departing back.

Riley snorted.

“Think that’s funny, do you?” Nathan’s eyes narrowed in mock warning.

“Matter of fact, I do!” Finished, she stood up, laughter glinting in the depths of her clear green eyes. “I’ve thought that about you many times—you’re a sick man.” Her full lips curved teasingly.

“Keep that up and I’ll have to show you just how well a sick man performs.” His eyes roved hotly over her skin-clad form, noting the dips and swells where the leather molded itself to her lush curves.

“Sheesh! Is that all you ever think about?” She grumbled, secretly pleased.

“No—I think of other things, too—but that’s usually at the top of my list.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Geena and Micah rejoined the group, and after gathering up their equipment and anything they could salvage, they began the trek back. By the sun’s positioning, it was late in the afternoon and they would have to hurry to make the cave before nightfall. Riley and Jonas half-carried Nathan while he hobbled painfully along, sweat beading his forehead.

“Not only do you have to save him, now you have to carry him, too.” Geena threw the barb good-naturedly.

“I liked you a lot better five years ago,” Nathan grumbled, scowling at her in annoyance.

“I never liked you,” Geena shot back.

Riley burst out laughing. Nathan’s transferred his mock scowl to her, his lips compressed in amusement. Riley stood on tiptoe and planted a swift kiss on his chin. He was going to be the brunt of a lot of jokes for awhile, but she wasn’t worried about the thickness of his skin. One thing she had learned, he wasn’t a typical male chauvinist pig-type guy.

Demon paced ahead, sniffing the air with interest, while Geena and Micah took flanking positions, covering their tracks and backtracking periodically, keeping an eye out for more of the newcomers. Nathan limped along, aided by Riley on one side and Jonas on the other.

“Hey! Isn’t this the part of the story where the hero and his lady have wild, mindless sex after he saves her?” Nathan’s eyes glistened innocently.

Jonas snorted in disgust.

Riley’s eyes widened. “You weirdo! And to set to the story straight, I saved your butt!”

“I don’t have any problem with role reversals. Okay, you get to be the hero and I still get to have wild, mindless sex.”

“You have a one-track mind!” Riley groaned.

They kept up a steady pace and by the time the sun had almost disappeared, they entered the clearing leading to the cave. Demon raced ahead, eager to dive into his food bowl, yipping excitedly at the entrance.

Seth, the guard on duty, stepped out from concealment, barely acknowledging their return with a slight nod of his head, while rolling back the rock covering the entrance. Sighing with relief, Riley thanked the good Lord for their safe return. Her back was sore and aching. She and Jonas had to practically carry Nathan for the last few miles and, though Jonas bore most of Nathan’s weight, the strain was beginning to tell on her. Nathan had spoken very little, the constant jolting and resultant pain of his injured leg left his face pale and ashen.

Several individuals ran out, relieving Riley and Jonas of their burden and hustling Nathan into the cave to be attended to by Abe. Riley helped Seth close off the entrance and then entered the living quarters.

The interior of the cave had shrunk in size with the advent of the full team taking up residence. Every nook and cranny held equipment and supplies and several members reclined on makeshift beds which covered almost every spare inch of the floor. Notwithstanding the clutter and confusion, it was good to be back. Riley picked her way through to the back chamber where Nathan rested, fussed over by Abe. Some of the pallor had already left his face and his eyes were clearer, though he appeared exhausted.

Without looking up, Abe spoke softly. “He’s reopened the original wound and with the new one, he’s lost a fair amount of blood. I’m going to sew both of them up since just wrapping the first one hasn’t allowed the wound to heal sufficiently.” He glanced up. “Get my pack and tell Allie to get some water boiling.”

Riley hurried off to do his bidding, thankful that Abe was there to do the deed instead of her. Playing doctor had never been a big thing with her. In fact, though she didn’t want to admit it, the sight of blood made her dizzy. She forced herself to sit through the entire ordeal, refusing to actually look as Abe sewed the wounds shut, while holding Nathan’s hand in support. When the last stitch had been sewn and bandages applied, Nathan drifted off to sleep, relaxing his grip on her now numb hand. Easing free, she tenderly brushed his hair back off his forehead and planted a gentle kiss on his whiskered cheek. He looked so young lying there—almost like a really big kid. Her heart swelled with love.

Jonas entered the chamber, catching her unawares.

“He looks better—don’t you think?” Her eyes implored him to agree.

“Don’t worry so much,” Jonas replied. “It’ll take more than that to kill him. He’s too ornery to go down easy.”

“I know, but he’s been through a lot the past few days.”

“You both have! Hell—we all have. But most of us are still here.” Jonas’ eyes dropped, remembered pain flashing across his features. They had lost too many in the short time since their arrival.

Allie came in, carrying two steaming wooden cups. “Thought you could use some herbal tea.” Riley accepted the cup thankfully. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. We all waited until you got back.”

Jonas scowled at the young woman, sipping his tea as though it galled him to do so. Allie returned his look calculatingly, her eyes sparkling. “Did you know in animal husbandry, they mate the older stallions with the younger mares, and vice versa, it produces stronger colts.”

Jonas choked, spewing tea. Allie grinned, sauntering saucily out of the sleeping chamber.

“What kind of a comment was that?” He grumbled, wiping tea off his chin.

Snickering, Riley couldn’t help adding fuel to the flames. “I think she’s telling you she’s available—and willing.”

“Well, she can forget it! I’m not in the least interested!” His denial lost weight as his eyes followed the direction of Allie’s departure.

“Choices aren’t always ours to make. Sometimes they just happen.” Riley smoothed Nathan’s brow with gentle fingers. “Look at me! I wasn’t given a choice but things worked out for the best anyway.”

“Yeah! But you got Nathan—I get the demented munchkin!”

Allie poked her head in, grinning hugely. “I heard that!”

“Oh, boy!” Riley commented dryly.

Nathan roused up. “She’s got good hearing, too—you seem to have forgotten that.” Riley’s hands firmly pushed him back down.

“Can you ever be still?”

“Not with all this sex talk going on—it’s making me hot!” He captured her hand, rubbing it against his crotch. Riley jerked her hand back, slapping playfully at his head.

“The only sex talk is coming from you.” Eyes narrowed, she threatened. “Try that again in front of an audience and I might just have to squeeze really hard.”

Jonas groaned disgustedly. “I’m outta here. I think I’ll bunk with the sheep, less bull.” Stomping out, he exited the chamber.

“I wondered what I would have to do to get you alone.” Nathan’s voice deepened suggestively.

Allie stepped in, carrying two steaming bowls of stew. Riley’s stomach rumbled hungrily as the mouth-watering aroma wafted through the dim chamber. Spoon-feeding a protesting Nathan took only a few minutes and she was able to enjoy her own meal, licking the spoon and savoring every last drop. Sated, she yawned hugely, bone tired and ready to sleep.

Nathan pulled Riley down to rest against his uninjured side, breathing a deep sigh as she cuddled close. Voices and laughter floated comfortingly from the outer chamber, bathing the sleeping chamber with warmth and a sense of solidarity and belonging. Riley felt a part of one big family. It was a good feeling, one she had missed growing up. Her hand played with the soft hair on Nathan’s upper chest, taking pleasure in that small act of love. Peace and contentment suffused her soul. The future suddenly looked bright and they could share it together and, very soon, a new little person would bless their union.

She felt safe and the fear of being left alone would no longer haunt her. No matter what, she wouldn’t be alone.

Demon padded in, nosing her hand and resting his huge head on her shoulder. Riley lazily scratched his ear for a few minutes until he lay down to sleep, guarding their little corner from the rest of the world. Her lips curved in amusement as soft snores filled the chamber, both from Nathan and the dog—normal, every day sounds that filled her with such joy. Relaxed and replete, sleep claimed her.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

The team had been up for hours when Riley finally roused. Nathan’s eyes crinkled with amusement.

“I wondered if you were ever going to wake up. Did you know you snore?”

Riley flounced up. “I never snore! I just breathe really loud.”

“Nope,” Nathan corrected her. “You were snoring—little ladylike snores, but snores all the same!”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she grumbled, reaching for her leathers. “It’s not polite to tell a lady she snores—or passes gas, or anything disgusting like that.”

“I didn’t say you passed gas, I said you snore.”

Riley turned on him, ready to do battle, her eyes narrowed in mock anger. “One more word and I’ll do something you’ll really regret.”

Abe coughed politely. “Is it safe to come in? I need to check on my patient.”

“Sure, and while you’re here, you can strangle him for me,” Riley commented evilly.

Abe hesitated. “Is this a bad time?”

“Not for you—for him maybe.” Riley finished dressing quickly, planted a quick kiss on Nathan’s cheek and stepped out.

Abe poked and prodded for awhile, nodding to himself while he rechecked and re-bandaged the wounds. “You’ll do.” A man of few words, he finished up and returned to the main chamber.

Jonas poked his head in. “Get dressed; we’re having a council meeting in five minutes. Time to plan for the future.”

Stiff and sore in more spots than he cared to count, Nathan struggled up, dragged his leg off the bed and then reached for his pants. “Got any good ideas?”

“I’ve been bouncing a few off some of the others and they’ve added a few of their own. Nothing substantial, but we’ve got some interesting ones.”

Every muscle protested. Aches and pains seemed to radiate from his very bones. Catching a whiff of himself, Nathan grimaced. Soon as the meeting was over, he was hitting the shower, hot water or not. The leg felt better and he was able to put some weight on it, but it would be some time before it was back to normal. At least they weren’t running now, for which he was extremely grateful.

Hobbling out, he entered the bright sunshine. Several large rocks had been rolled into the clearing, providing primitive seating for the team. Most were already in attendance and those who weren’t were very likely standing guard. Riley made room for him next to her as Allie passed around cups of hot tea. Suddenly quiet, everyone waited expectantly for Jonas to begin.

Jonas stood up, moving to the center of the circle. “I don’t want to make you think I’ve elected myself as leader,” he said hesitantly.

Micah laughed. “Everyone knows you are—so lead.” Voices clamored as everyone agreed with him.

Jonas grinned. “Okay, okay! Settle down. It’s a dubious position, but if no one objects, I’ll temporary hold that title.” He paused. “Yesterday, we scouted the camp of the newcomers, as Nathan calls them. It’s pretty obvious they’re here to stay. Women and children are down there and I’d say, given the size of the encampment, we’re looking at a fighting force of probably 30 plus men. That’s just a rough estimate. We have no idea how many more were away from the main camp yesterday. Anyway, to make a long story short—there’s no way we can survive against a force that size. Not here anyway.”

Somberly, the group digested the information.

“What do you think we should do?” Geena asked the focal question on everyone’s mind.

“Well, we can stay here and hope they never find us—which I don’t think is reasonable under the circumstances—or we move.”

Heads nodded.

Bethany stepped up. “Do you have any suggestions where?”

Jonas pointed. “No, but the person most able to provide that information is sitting right there.” All eyes swiveled towards Nathan.

He stood up unsteadily, clearing his throat. “I often thought that if I ever had to leave this place, I would head south, possibly to the valley we saw while we were on the run. I think it would be a good choice. Seems to have plenty of game, a good water supply and I didn’t see any sign of human inhabitation.”

Allie raised her hand. “Won’t that just be a quick fix to a bigger problem? That still doesn’t put us out of reach of those crazies.”

“No, it doesn’t. But at least it would give us time to work out a better plan. We can’t stay here.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Nathan’s right,” Jonas concurred. “And we need to move soon. We left some bodies back there, and it won’t take them very long to figure out we’re here—they don’t seem to allow intruders in their territory.”

Nathan’s eyes dropped. “No, they don’t! And I’ve seen what they do to outsiders—it isn’t pretty.”

Abe stood up, signaling for quiet. “I have a suggestion.” He glanced around the circle. “I say we go home.”

“Are you nuts?” Bethany’s voice rose stridently. “There’s no going back. I told you that. We’re stuck here.”

Abe continued. “I didn’t mean forward in time home—I meant home in this reality.”

“Home? You mean like Montana?” Jonas looked confused. “How is that possible?”

Abe shrugged. “We just go.”

“I don’t see how we can. To begin with, the Pacific Ocean is a pretty huge problem.”

“It’s theoretically possible,” Bethany said. “During this time period, a land bridge connected Asia to the Americas.”

Riley chimed in. “In the Bering Strait—I’ve heard of it.”

Bethany nodded. “Some scientists believe that’s how the ancients first came to America.”

“So what are you saying?”

“I think we should follow the path of the ancients and go home.” After making his point, Abe sat down.

Chatter erupted as everyone tried to speak. Jonas held up his hand, signaling for quiet. “That’s a big undertaking and, unlike in our time, it could take months, even years for that matter.”

“So we should probably get started,” Geena laughed. “No time like today!”

Jonas’ eyes flickered around the waiting group. Eyes bright, faces hopeful, they all waited for his decision. “I don’t have the right to make that kind of a decision for all of you. I say we put it to a vote—and since Bethany is the only really smart person here, I leave it up to her to handle that.”

“Okay,” Bethany agreed, amused. “By a show of hands. Everyone for going home?” Every hand was raised. Chuckling, she formally counted. “Any objections?” Not one. “The vote stands—we go home.”

“I have a suggestion,” Nathan said. “I say we winter in the valley below, building up our supplies and stocking food for the journey. Then early next spring, we leave.”

“What about the crazies—what about them?”

“We’re taking a chance, I know, but the better prepared we are, the better chance we have of success.” He studied their reactions, satisfied that they were open to the slight change.

“I think Nathan’s right.” Riley took his hand. “He knows better than any of us what it takes to survive here, and if he says winter in the valley below, that’s what we should do.”

Jonas nodded in agreement. “Only makes sense. Nathan has a lot to teach us and we need the time to acclimate ourselves and learn. The more we understand about this world, the better our odds are.”

Seth stood up. “What about changing history? Is that going to be an issue?”

Bethany again intervened. “Shortly before we left, archeologists found a woman’s body in Oregon, vastly older than any found before. Seems like people made it to the Americas a lot earlier than science first thought. Who really knows when they first arrived?”

Nathan’s gaze softened as he looked into Riley’s eyes. “We can’t go home, but our children and their children’s children will be where they belong.”

Cheers erupted. They would go home, thousands of years in the past, but they would be home!

Riley threw herself into Nathan’s arms. “I know it’s corny, but as Ruth will say sometime in the far future—‘Whither thou goest, I will go.’ My home is with you, wherever that is.” Eyes bright, shining with love, she held him close.

His lips claimed hers, infusing strength and hope. “Don’t be afraid,” he breathed. “Think of it as an adventure—the biggest adventure we can ever hope to have. Nothing in our previous lifetime can ever compare to this.”

“I’m not afraid, as long as you’re with me. I was only afraid of being alone. That isn’t going to happen now.”

Nathan grinned, calling across the circle. “Abe—I have a question!” Abe stood up.

“Aren’t you the spiritual leader of our group?” Abe nodded uncertainly, as Nathan continued. “Do you do weddings?”

Riley whooped in surprise, laughing and dancing with excitement. The future was uncertain, and survival would depend on their ability to adapt, but she was happier than she had ever been before. She had gone back to the beginnings and found love and nothing could change that.

The circle of friends stood up, holding hands, joining in the celebration of their future, hopeful and determined to find their place. Life was an adventure and they were going to live it. Perhaps some day, some time, a little bit of them would be discovered and their mark made on mankind. Who knew?

A word about the author…

Offbeat is a perfect word when describing me. For many years, I taught, performed as well as choreographed dance. I am a dreamer and an avid reader of fiction, a sometime gardener and an inept crafter. I love to travel, always returning to my beautiful Idaho where I reside with my husband, my sons, my granddaughters, two huge cats and a toy poodle. I am multi-published author, and a member of RWA.

If you enjoyed Riley’s Journey, the second in the series is available, Into the Savage Dawn and I am currently working on the third novel in the series.

Find me online at my website or my blog.