Slide

17

SLIDE

He heard the others catching up with the main group. Even though he couldn’t make out their muted whispers, he knew this was bad news.

We’re being followed.

He put Layla down and ordered her to rest, then doubled back. He could see Ember talking with Mick some distance behind Dean and the others. Killian was quickly jogging up from the far rear position.

Slide let out a low whistle, signaling them. The others hurried up to him.

“Slide,” Ember said breathlessly. “There’s ...”

“I know,” he said. “We have to prepare. Layla, into those bushes, there.”

He pointed to a small nook between two rocks that was covered in scrub. Layla didn’t look happy, but she nodded, getting down on the ground so she could slide into the gap.

“Dean, up here,” Slide said, pointing. There was a nearby ledge off the ground, covered with a running vine. Dean didn’t protest. He just climbed up and crawled in.

They are both grateful for the rest. So long as we don’t get murdered, this could be the best thing for them.

He gritted his teeth to stop himself from thinking unpleasant thoughts. He simply wouldn’t let it happen.

“Okay,” he said, reaching into his pack. As he pulled out his two pistols, Ember gasped, taking a step back.

“I need you on the ground, Ember,” he said, looking into her eyes. Her pupils were wide, and her mouth was tight. She stepped forward and took it, holding it with great care.

“You’ve handled a gun before?” he asked. She nodded.

“Once or twice. I just don’t like them.”

“Well, I want you to treat it like your best friend right now,” he said firmly. She looked at the gun, then back at him, and nodded again.

“Anyone else know how to handle a gun?” he asked. Mick stepped forward.

“I can shoot. We had plenty of guns on our farm back home.”

“Good,” Slide said, handing him the other pistol. “I want you and Ember at these points just here. Stay hidden in the scrub but close enough that both of you can cover this space. You can lay down fire from those vantage points that will take out anyone who tries to get through.”

Ember looked frightened, but Slide knew she would not fail. Mick took a few moments to get familiar with the gun and helped Ember to do the same.

“Tjon,” Slide said, calling him forward. “I want the rest of you in the trees. Do not enter the kill zone. If you have to drop down, do it farther out. For the most part, just stay out of the fight.”

Tjon looked afraid but determined. The others all wore masks of fear, but there was nothing else to do.

He waited a few seconds until he was sure the others were moving into position. Then he started to run back the way they had come.

He tore off his shirt as he ran, feeling the cool breeze on his skin. His lion definitely felt at home here. Especially now with the thrill of danger so close. He threw aside his pants and shoes, shifting as he jumped onto the highest rock.

He sniffed the wind, seeing the dark shapes of the men who were following. The setting sun hid them in the shadows, but the dying light was no match for his lion’s eyes. With a happy growl now in his throat, he leaped to the side and began weaving through the rocks toward the armed men.

As he got closer, the scent of them sharpened. He could smell their sweat and the metal and grease of their weapons. These guys were not afraid. That excited him. In his lion shape, any chance for blood was a thrill, not a threat.

He angled around behind them, doubling back to come across a high, flat rock. He paced above them for a few seconds, then pounced.

He’d intended to hit them both and bring them down together, but one of the guys was too fast and leapt out of the way. He had to jump off the one he’d crushed to get out of the way of the other’s slashing knife. He roared and sprang.

The guy had guts. He squared up and held out his knife, ready to meet his leap. Slide flew through the air, letting the guy think he was going to jump straight into the knife. He dropped to the ground and ravaged the guy’s legs at the last second.

He went down screaming, blood spraying across Slide’s face. Without a second to spare, Slide turned and pounced on the other man, who was slowly getting up. He didn’t have a chance to get out his gun before Slide smashed into him, sending them both rolling down a sheer rock face.

The guy had managed to pull out his knife, and he slashed wildly at Slide’s ribs, trying to stab him. Slide roared in fury and pain as the sharp knife cut through his skin over and over again.

Finally, the incline evened out a little, allowing Slide to get the upper hand. He tore out the guy’s throat with his mighty fangs and roared his supremacy into the falling night.

He spun around, knowing the other guy couldn’t be far behind. As soon as he looked up at the sheer rock face, he saw the guy sliding down. He was trying to get his gun out on the rough slope, and Slide didn’t want to give him that chance. He leapt toward him, snarling with rage.

They met in the air. The cry died out as Slide’s weight forced him to the ground. They slid down together for a few feet, the guy struggling under Slide as he again tried to get to his gun. Slide tore out the man’s throat with one swift swipe of his paw.

He stood over the two dead men, shifting quickly so he could go through their pockets. He took their guns and a few other items that could prove useful and then jogged back to meet the others, picking up his clothes as he went.