Chapter Eleven

In the great room, Carreon turned away from the bank of windows. The waning sun cast long shadows on the burgundy leather sofas and chairs, its weakened rays bathing everything in a gauzy golden glow.

Outside, birds squawked and the persistent wind whistled past the building.

Carreon tensed, listening as hard as he could, trying again to detect what he'd thought was the sound of a motor. His men had scanned the area with their binoculars and reported that no one approached. Unconvinced, he'd sent more men outside to investigate.

They'd been gone too long to have seen nothing.

He gripped his weapon a bit harder, debating whether to check for himself or wait here and see what had happened.

The foyer clock ticked away the seconds, adding to the other noise, annoying him further.

Come on. You've either found something or you—

He flinched at a sudden pop, needing to know its source.

It sounded again…from one of the walls, not a gun. The fucking house was settling.

Not about to wait any longer, he crossed the room, pausing at the hall. To the right was the front door and whatever lay beyond it. To the left was the path to his safe room.

He headed for it, halting at the squeak of the front door opening then its wood crashing into the wall.

"Let go of me!"

Carreon frowned at the female voice. Liz? He couldn't believe it. She'd returned on her own? No. It wasn't possible. Zeke and his men had to be with her. So why weren't they firing, killing his men?

Torn between curiosity and fear, he glanced over. Roberto and Victor hauled a young woman from the foyer to where Carreon stood. She was in her early twenties, her waist-length hair disheveled, her features belonging to Neekoma's clan.

"Hurt me," she warned, "and I won't tell you anything."

"Let her go," Carreon ordered, intrigued by her being here. Was she a lookout for Zeke? Had she gotten lost?

How was that likely when this stronghold wasn't anywhere near a frequently traveled road?

"Is anyone with her?" Carreon asked.

"I'm alone," she said.

Ignoring her, he repeated to Victor, "Is anyone with her?"

"No. We checked the area thoroughly before bringing her inside."

She yanked her arms, trying to pull free of him and Roberto.

"Go on," Carreon said, "let her go." The instant they did, he approached.

Apprehension flashed on her face.

Good. He wanted to intimidate her. No fucking way was she calling the shots in this, whatever it may be. "Who are you?"

"Kele. Jacob's woman."

Jacob? Zeke's brother? A thread of unease mingled with Carreon's desire to toy with then kill her. How was it Jacob had allowed her to come here alone? Why would he do that? "How did you find this place?"

She curled her upper lip in a show of disgust. "Ever hear of GPS?"

Carreon grabbed her throat and squeezed. Kele's eyes bulged in surprise then pain. With as much calm as he could muster, he asked again, "How did you find this place?"

She pulled at his fingers, trying to free herself.

Before she lost consciousness, he let go.

Kele sucked in air, coughing it back out, rubbing her throat.

"Answer me," Carreon ordered.

She stepped back, her shoulder bumping into Victor's arm. Quick as could be, she sidled away from him. "I came in the van Zeke's men used." Her words rasped. She cleared her throat and continued, "The night they came to rescue him."

Carreon squeezed his fists so hard his knuckles hurt.

Watching him, Kele blurted, "Their GPS recorded the trip back to our stronghold."

And she'd used it to come here. Carreon spoke to his lieutenants. "Are you certain she wasn't followed?"

"We've sent out patrols," Roberto said. "There isn't anyone else out there."

"I came alone," she insisted.

It didn't make sense. "Why are you here? Did Neekoma send you?"

She straightened, her defiance returned. Carreon edged closer. Her coppery complexion paled a bit. "He doesn't even know I'm gone. No one does. If you hurt me—if you kill me, you'll never get your woman back."

She was just full of surprises, wasn't she? Intrigued, Carreon managed to keep his excitement hidden. "You're speaking of Liz Munez."

"Who else?"

"Zeke has her," he said, "and yet you came on your own, meaning, he didn't send you here to negotiate her return." Carreon gathered her hair, winding it around his hand.

Horror flooded her face at him touching her again.

He wasn't about to stop. "Why are you here?" Using her hair, he tugged her closer. The tips of their shoes touched. She shuddered, turning away from him as best she could.

Carreon gripped the back of her head, forcing her to look at him. Hatred and panic contorted her features. He murmured, "So why are you here?"

"She's poison to my people…to Jacob."

Ah. It was beginning to make sense now. This wasn't about the clan's war but something so much simpler. Downright stupid, in fact. A woman's jealousy over her man. Carreon had already figured Zeke was fucking Liz as much as he could while she was his prisoner. Apparently, he was allowing his younger brother the same privilege, and Jacob was enjoying Liz so much Kele had come here, hoping for Carreon's help in getting rid of her competition.

Which brought up another question. "If you want her gone," he asked, "why didn't you just bring her here with you?"

She bared her teeth. "I would have if it'd been possible. Zeke has her locked in Jacob's room. He won't let her go. He knows keeping her is dangerous to our people but he claims to love her as much as she loves him."

Carreon stared in surprise. Liz loved Neekoma? No. Fucking no. "You're lying."

She winced as he dug his fingers into her scalp. Her words poured out, strong, unafraid. "Killing me won't stop what they feel for each other. I've seen it. I've heard it. Night after night, they can't get enough of—"

"Shut up." He pushed her away.

She cried out then gasped at her shoulder hitting the wall.

A fraction of the pain he intended to give her. He moved closer. "What has she told him about this place and my operation?"

"Nothing." Kele huddled against the wall. "They talk about her father. She's worried about him."

As well she should be. If what this woman said was true, Liz was going to regret having given herself to any enemy male, especially Neekoma. Carreon was going to use her father's pain, the old man's drawn-out death to make certain of it.

"You want her back," she said. "I want her gone, away from my people and Jacob. We can help each other."

Carreon didn't agree or disagree.

The silence undid her. "I can show you where the stronghold is."

"Your GPS can do that."

"But you can't get past the tunnel's door without me," she said. "It won't open without my palm print."

He shrugged. "We'll cut off your hand after we kill you. Before, if you prove to be a problem."

Her mouth fell open.

"You shouldn't have come here alone," Carreon said.

Kele's chin trembled. "I just want Jacob. That's all I'm asking for."

"You're not in a position to ask for anything."

"You need me!" she shouted. "I can lead you to Liz without alarming the others. You want to risk your men's lives in a battle they might not win when I can show them where she is? They can take her and be done with it?"

Carreon regarded Victor and Roberto. He wondered how willing they were to die for him. How eager his other lieutenants might be. More importantly, he considered how well they could outwit Zeke and his men in a stronghold that was unfamiliar to them.

"Without Liz, you'd have no one to heal for you, except her father," Kele said. "He's old. What are you going to do when he dies? If she's killed in a fight at the stronghold, there won't be anyone to save your men or you."

Carreon glared at her. "Liz told Zeke that she and her father are our clan's only healers?"

"He knows they're the most powerful. She's healed for you. Now, she's doing it for him."

Victor cut in, "If what she says is true—"

"I'm not lying," she cried.

He kept his attention on Carreon. "It might be better if we get Liz out of there first before we attack."

"You can't hurt Jacob," Kele said.

He'd be the second to last one to die. Carreon would make certain Zeke watched his younger brother's torture and death before facing his own if he refused to reveal the future.

Kele stared at him, a mix of emotions crossing her face. Apprehension. Hopelessness. Outrage. "No," she said at last. "I won't help you get Liz out of there if you don't promise me that Jacob and my people will be safe."

"You think I have to promise you anything?" Carreon asked. "You think you have a choice in what's going to happen now?"

"Kill me, then. I don't care," she cried. "I'm dead without him anyway."

"Pain may make you change your mind."

She growled, "You think I haven't known pain?"

"Not the kind my men can give you on one command from me." He smiled as one would to a stupid child. "With your GPS, we have the means of finding the stronghold without you. With your severed hand, we can get inside."

"Try it, then," she countered. "See how far you get. Unless I lead you to Liz, you'll wander around aimlessly, searching for her."

"No, we won't. In a few seconds, Roberto's going to start breaking your fingers. One by one, you'll hear them snap until your screams drown out those sounds. It's my guess he'll only have to do two before you'll be begging for the pain to stop. It won't until you draw us a map of the stronghold."

At last, she looked cornered, though not to the degree Carreon wanted. "Roberto," he said.

Kele backed away from the burly young man.

"There's nowhere for you to run," Carreon explained. "Either draw us a map now or later. Your choice. Because you will—"

"How long do you think that will take?" she snapped. "Every minute you waste threatening or hurting me is another Zeke and his men will have to discover that I've left. Want to know what happens then? They'll fortify the stronghold to the point that nothing will allow you inside. Think that's hard for them to do? No way. They'll simply change the door's settings." She snapped her fingers. "Just like that, you'll be locked out, unable to get past the tunnel. Unable to get to Liz."

She smiled. "You need me, Carreon. You can't do this without me and on my terms. Just try it. Once your men are in the tunnel, Zeke's men will trap and kill them. What are you going to do then, huh? All I'm asking is that your men take Liz, you keep her here away from Jacob. Promise me that, and I'll do whatever you want."

She'd do that in any event. Not that Carreon wanted to waste another moment debating the matter with her. Once his men were inside Zeke's stronghold, she'd lead them to Liz. The moment one of them had Liz on the way back here, they'd take Neekoma's entire clan down, including Kele and her beloved Jacob.

Alone in the stronghold's massive pantry, Zeke grabbed a package of barbecue-flavored potato chips and lemon cookies, Liz's favorite snacks. One of the many things he'd discovered about her since she'd been here.

He'd learned that she hated milk and could tolerate coffee, preferring water above everything else. When she was exhausted, she had a tendency to snore, which he wasn't brave or crazy enough to tell her. Witnessing her constant worry over her father was bad enough. She'd asked what his specific plans were to rescue the man.

He'd lied, "Ike and Paul are working out the details now. When we have everything in place, I'll let you know."

There wasn't a chance in hell that Zeke intended to tell her the truth about having to do it alone. She wouldn't let him. She'd sacrifice herself first.

Troubled, he left the pantry and steeled himself for the walk across the equally large kitchen, where a dozen women worked. The domestic scene coupled with the scents of stew, corn, baked black beans, and other fare might have made the moment homey and welcoming if not for everyone's reaction to him.

The females concentrated on their dicing, chopping, stirring as though he was invisible, while Ike and Aaron pretended to taste the chocolate pudding as they watched him.

Ignoring them, Zeke headed for Jacob's room and Liz. Within seconds, he heard footfalls coming from behind. He stopped and turned.

Aaron's arm bumped into Ike's as both men halted.

Zeke frowned. "What are you doing here? Why isn't one of you standing guard at the entrance?"

"Not my turn," Ike said.

Aaron shrugged. "Mine either."

Zeke sighed. "Is anyone watching?"

"Paul," Ike said, "or maybe it's Samuel's turn now. Don't worry, someone is there. Someone's always there. No one can get past. No one."

He sounded fucking certain of that. "What's next?" Zeke asked. "You guys going to cuff me to my bed and barricade the door so I stay put?"

Ike's complexion turned several shades darker with his blush. Aaron didn't look any less embarrassed.

"Stop following me," Zeke warned.

Aaron spoke first. "We don't want anything happening to you."

"It won't." He moved closer to them so no one would overhear. "I'm not going to break into Carreon's stronghold with guns blazing like I'm fucking Clint Eastwood or John Wayne, all right? I'll find a reasonable way to get inside and then I'll—"

"No you won't," Ike said. "We can't let you leave. We're not going to. Did you ever stop to think what would happen to this clan if you die, Zeke? Who's going to lead us? Whose visions are as strong as yours? No one's. We depend upon what you see to know what's happening with Carreon's men. You want to take that away? You want us to be even more vulnerable to them than we've been in the past?"

"Of course not," he argued, "and you won't be. I'm not planning to die, okay? Even if I'm injured, we have Liz to heal me."

"Liz," Aaron growled. "Is she all you can think of? She shouldn't still be here. Let us take her back."

"Absolutely fucking not. Don't suggest it again."

"Zeke, please," Ike said. "It's either her or your people."

Bullshit. It didn't have to be a choice between the two. He could have them both. He would, along with bringing her father here, giving Liz a future she'd never had. Giving himself one too. A chance to heal, to love. To be fucking normal for a change, no different from other couples who lived out their lives without all this crap.

"I won't put anyone here at risk," he promised. "I give you my word. Unless neither of you believes it or accepts it anymore."

"It's not that we think you're lying," Aaron countered. "We know you're crazy in love. We've all been there, all right? Not with women from Carreon's clan, but we have been there. You're swearing to do stuff without knowing how you're gonna pull it off. You're sure as hell not thinking clearly."

"Fine," Zeke said. "You believe my only concern is Liz. If that's true and I get killed and put everyone here at risk, that would include her too. Given how much I do love her, do you think I want to do that?"

Aaron frowned. "I—it's not—I don't—I didn't—"

Ike cut into Aaron's stammering. "Of course, we don't."

"Then you accept my promise," Zeke said.

The man's broad shoulders slumped.

Zeke knew how he felt but pretended to have it all together. "I know this is a difficult time. However, I give you my word, I won't let anyone down. Don't either of you do that to me. Someone's guarding the entrance, correct?"

Both men nodded.

"Where's Jacob?" Zeke asked. He hadn't seen his brother since they'd argued in the hall with Kele hearing them. That was hours ago. Thankfully, Jacob hadn't tried to return to his bedroom and Liz.

"The last I saw him, he was outside with the children," Aaron said then made a face. "He kept looking around like he was expecting someone to sucker punch him."

Kele, no doubt. Jacob must have heeded Zeke's earlier advice and spoken with her. "Have either of you seen Kele?"

"I haven't since breakfast," Aaron offered. "You?" he asked Ike.

The man's face flushed.

His reaction reminded Zeke of when they were boys and Ike had been sweet on one of the girls in their class. It also brought back the time their fourth-grade teacher had caught Ike cheating on a test.

"Have you been with Kele today?" Zeke asked.

Ike looked offended. "Excuse me?"

"Have you talked with her?" he amended. Maybe Kele had gone to Ike for comfort after Jacob had told her the score.

"Only to make a date for tonight," he said.

Aaron blurted, "You and Kele? Together?"

No shit. That was exactly what Zeke was thinking. Kele couldn't have moved on that quickly. It didn't make sense.

"Yeah, her and me," Ike growled at Aaron. "You got a problem with that?"

"Hey, man, don't get pissed at me. I thought she was tight with Jacob."

Zeke left them arguing in the hall. Once he delivered the snacks to Liz, he'd locate Kele and find out what she was up to. Something wasn't right. He sensed it.

Could feel it.

The vision came without warning as they always did, stopping him outside the door to Jacob's room.

Noises receded beneath a steady hiss. Colors faded next, the gleaming wood walls turning gray then white.

It was as though he'd floated up to the ceiling and was looking down on himself. His body faced the closed door—at least where it'd been before fading away—however, his attention remained to the left. It was nothing but blinding light.

The hiss increased.

Zeke watched his hands flying up, the bags of food hitting the sides of his face as he covered his ears. The absence of color made the white unbearable. He saw himself turning his face away, not wanting to look, afraid to know.

He hated his gift. It brought him nothing but pain.

This time was no different.

He was no longer outside himself, looking down. Instead, he was deep into his mind. Within it, images flashed super-fast, reminiscent of hyper music videos aimed at teens. He saw the tunnel's entrance, the first of several vehicles approaching it, tires stirring up dust. Next, a woman's hand filled his thoughts.

Liz?

No. Couldn't be. A man's hand held the woman's, pressing her palm to the control panel outside. Zeke stared, trying to see faces, but his vision wouldn't allow it, taking away the images in a flash of white, replaced by a deep-red color.

He blinked at the blood. It was everywhere, dripping from the stronghold's ceiling and walls. More of it pooled on the floors.

His men bolted down the hall, firing at something behind…someone who chased them. Zeke strained to see details but couldn't. With each round fired, bright light burst from the weapons' muzzles.

One of his men fell, the round hitting him in his leg. The others reached for him, but the continuing gunfire drove them back. Bullets ripped into the floor and walls, splintering the wood, leaving gouges in the stone.

Zeke stared at the man who lay face down on the floor. Another bullet tore through his shoulder. The next through his back. Blood poured from the wounds, dirtying his hair. He wore it longer than the other men, as long as—

Jacob!

Liz. Zeke's mind screamed her name. She didn't hear. Her back was to Zeke as she faced Carreon. Not here but in the man's stronghold. He and Liz were in the same room Zeke had seen in his previous visions. They stood near a fireplace he'd tried to describe to her but couldn't. He saw its conical shape now. Its beige color.

The way Liz gestured told Zeke that she was pleading with Carreon, trying to placate him. To spare her father's life? Carreon's expression remained neutral, not giving away what he thought or planned.

No. Liz, don't. Stop!

Zeke gasped as she moved into Carreon, caressing him, running her fingers over his cheek. He smiled, stroking her hair in return. As she kissed his jaw, his hands edged up. In a flash, they were on her throat, squeezing, his face contorted with rage.

Zeke blinked rapidly, his body shuddering at what he'd seen. Jacob hit. Liz at Carreon's stronghold. She couldn't have gotten out of this place. Carreon's men couldn't be forcing her to lead them here. It was impossible.

He turned the key, unlocking the door. Liz stared at his tee, damp with sweat. She hurried across the room to him. "What's wrong?"

Jacob was going to die. Carreon's men were going to exterminate their clan. They were coming. He could feel it. Never before had his visions shown him a loved one dying. When he'd seen Liz's murder, she'd been a stranger. He loved her now and yet he still saw Carreon killing her and Jacob's death too.

"Zeke." She grabbed his biceps, shaking him.

He dropped the snacks and grabbed her upper arm. "Come with me."

"To where?"

"A place you'll be safe."

"From whom? Have you and Jacob been arguing again?"

His brother was going to die because of Zeke's stupidity and obstinance. He'd kept Liz here when he shouldn't have. He'd traded Jacob's life for hers without even knowing it, without being able to save her. He had to change that.

"Zeke."

He pulled her down the hall to a flight of stairs leading to the upper level. Taking them two at a time, Zeke forced Liz to keep up.

"Where's Jacob?" she cried.

"This isn't about him wanting you."

"Then why are you doing this?"

Zeke stopped in the center of the hall, placing his hand on the wood paneling. With a subdued whoosh, it opened, revealing a small room inside. He pushed Liz into it.

She staggered back then regained her footing and bolted toward him, blocking the door with her arm so it wouldn't close. "What are you doing? What's happened?"

"Carreon's men are coming."

Horror flooded her features. "You had a vision?"

Zeke swallowed. "You'll be safe in here." If he were very lucky, she wouldn't discover the apparatus that allowed her to escape. "There's no way for you to get out," he lied. "Stay put until I come back for you."

She cried, "What else did your vision show?"

"Only that Carreon's men would get into the tunnel. That's it," he continued to lie. "After my men kill or capture them, we'll be able to learn all that we can from the survivors. Without protection, Carreon won't be a threat to my clan any longer. My people will be able to rescue your father."

"Zeke." Liz fisted her hand in his tee, not allowing him to go. "You're lying. What else did you see?"

He fought for air. "Nothing."

"Dammit, tell me!"

Guilt, sorrow, and then rage at what his actions had caused buffeted Zeke, leaving him ashamed, unable to hide the truth any longer. "I saw Jacob getting hit."

"Oh my God," she cried. "This is all my fault. You have to stop it. You have to let me go back now."

"No," he growled, twisting her wrist until she released him.

She shouted, "Let me go. Why are you doing this? Why are you putting Jacob at risk?"

"I'm not. It's not going to happen, all right? My vision was a warning of what the future may be, not what's absolutely going to happen. Jacob isn't going to get hurt, nor are you and your father. Now, get in there and stay quiet."

With one hard shove, Zeke pushed her back.

Liz's arms flailed. She cried out as her ass hit the floor. The paneling closed, once more hiding the room's entrance.

Zeke bolted down the hall and stairs, heading for the meeting room. As he ran inside, Paul and Ike glanced up.

"Gather the women, children, and the elderly," he said then paused to pull in some air. "Bring them to the largest safe room."

Both men stared.

"Now," Zeke ordered. "Carreon's men are coming."

"I'll alert the others," Paul said. His two-way radio was to his lips as he ran from the room.

"Did you have a vision?" Ike asked.

Forcing down a swallow, Zeke nodded. "Where's Jacob?"

"I don't—"

Zeke shouted, "Where did you last see him?"

"Ah—in the dining area. But that was hours ago."

"Radio down to the entrance. The settings need to be changed on the control panel so no one can get inside."

Ike stared. "Why? No one outside our clan can get in here, Zeke. None of our people has left for weeks. We're all here."

"Where's Kele? When did you last see her?"

The man's face went slack. "What are you saying?"

"Have you seen her since you two made a date? Were you guarding the entrance when she spoke to you?" He grabbed Ike's arm, shaking him. "Answer me."

Ike bounced on his heels. "She told me to get lunch, that she'd keep watch for me until Paul arrived. She said she wanted to have dinner with me tonight. She said…" He stopped and moaned. "She left? She actually left here and went to Carreon? She's bringing his men here? Why would she do that?"

She wanted Jacob at all cost, and the only way to do that was to get rid of Liz. To lead Carreon's men to her.

"Samuel's guarding the entrance now, right?" Zeke asked. "Or was that a lie?"

"It's the truth. I'll tell him to change the—"

Shouts came from the hall, drowning out Ike. Four men ran inside, heading for the back wood panel. The clan's arsenal of weapons.

"Radio Samuel," Zeke ordered Ike.

"Too late," Aaron said, tears in his eyes. "He's been hit."

Jesus. "Carreon's men are inside?"

"They're using Kele as a shield so our men won't fire," Aaron said.

Ike bent at the waist as though he was going to retch. Zeke grabbed his two-way and radioed Paul. "Is everyone safe?"

Crackling sounds poured from the radio, followed by the man's voice. "They're where you wanted them to be. Some of the younger women are bitching about this, Zeke. They want to stand with us guys. What do I tell them?"

"No. All females stay put until we have no choice except to give them weapons and let them fight alongside us."

"What? You said Carreon's men were coming. They can't get past the entrance."

"They're already inside, Paul."

"Shit. How?"

"I can't get into that now. Have you seen Jacob?"

"I'm right behind you," his brother said.

Zeke turned just in time to see Jacob heading for the arsenal, taking two revolvers and two assault rifles.

"Hey," he complained when Zeke stood in his way, not allowing him to leave the room.

"Move."

"No."

The other men grabbed their weapons and ran out. The rat-a-tat-tat of muted gunfire came from a distant part of the stronghold.

Jacob darted to the side, trying to get past Zeke.

He grabbed his brother's shoulders and pushed him into the wall. "You're not going out there."

"Why the fuck not? Our guys are going to get slaughtered if I don't help them. They told me Carreon's men have Kele. She must have gone to him after I talked to her and brought them here. My God, how could she have done that? I have to fight, Zeke. This is all my fault. I have to save our people. You can't stop me."

"The hell I can't." He shoved his brother back into the wall. "I just had a vision, Jacob. I saw you die. Not any of our men. You. Only you. I'm not going to let that happen. I can't. It would kill me to lose you."

Jacob's frown faded. His Adam's apple bounced with his hard swallow. "I'll be okay. I won't do anything stupid, I swear. I don't want to die any more than you want me to." He chuckled.

It sounded young and scared.

"Please," Zeke whispered, pulling Jacob into his arms, hugging him as hard as he could. "Don't put yourself at risk."

"I'm not. I won't." He hugged Zeke in return. "I don't want you doing that either. You're a prick at times, but I still like you…sort of."

Zeke's shoulders shook with his laughter.

"We'll fight together," Jacob said, pulling away from Zeke. "Side by side. That way, you can keep an eye on me. Everything will be all right…as long as you don't force me to save you."

"Like that'll ever happen." Zeke rolled his eyes and grabbed his weapons.

At the door, Jacob stopped. "Where's Liz?"

More gunfire echoed down the hall, these sounds closer.

"She's safe," Zeke said.