Page 77 of Come Fill Me

Zeke pulled her hand from him. “To get Liz so she can heal Jacob.”

“It’s that bad?” Kele cried.

“Yeah, it’s that bad.” His brother’s jeans were wet with blood. “Put pressure on the wound so it stops bleeding. If that doesn’t work, use this as a tourniquet.” Zeke pulled off his tee and tossed it to her. “If I don’t come back, then—”

“What?”

“Shut up and listen,” he snapped. “If I don’t come back within five minutes, use Jacob’s two-way to radio the other men. Tell them where you are and that he needs help. They’ll bring Isabel here. She knows what to do in situations like this. She’ll take care of Jacob.”

“Without Liz? Without her being here and healing him?”

Yeah. If Carreon’s men were already in the internal halls and shot or captured him, Zeke wouldn’t be bringing Liz here. If his vision played out, she wouldn’t be in the stronghold much longer. Carreon’s lieutenants would be bringing her back to him. Zeke took Jacob’s pistol. “Just see to him so he’s okay.”

“Here.” She offered Zeke the assault rifle she’d been using.

Clutching his own, he backed away. “Keep it. Do whatever’s necessary to protect my brother.”

She said something Zeke didn’t hear as he bolted down the hall. This one was far narrower than the ones in the living areas, the ceiling just inches above his head, the walls so close he couldn’t stretch out his arms. With one touch of his fingertips, the walls started to glow, allowing him to see what lay ahead and behind. Not a good thing if that also let Carreon’s men see him.

However, there was no other choice. He couldn’t risk stumbling through the dark, bumping into walls, taking wrong turns.

From this deep within the stronghold, Zeke wasn’t able to hear what went on outside. His men might have already killed or captured all of Carreon’s lieutenants. His people could very well be facing those animals now, the women begging for their children’s lives, the kids crying.

His thoughts raged against Carreon.I’m going to make you pay for their fear and Gabrielle’s death. I’m going to make you suffer, you fucking bastard.

He ran as hard as he could, at last reaching the room where he’d left Liz. For the moment, he was alone, the halls stretching behind him and to each side, the limestone glowing so brightly it didn’t allow any shadows.

Zeke searched for the small depression in the stone that released the door on this side. Placing his fingertips on it, he pulled in more air and waited for it to unlock.

The second it did, he hurried inside. “Jacob’s been hit, I need you to—”

He stopped, staring at the broken chair, the shade resting on the desk, the lamp’s switch, the empty room.

In his mind, Zeke saw Liz as she’d been in his vision, caressing Carreon’s cheek, embracing him, the man putting his hands around her throat and squeezing. A sense of hopelessness and finality rolled through Zeke. She was going to die. She’d already set the event into motion by escaping this room.

God, no, please. Why couldn’t she have stayed here and trusted him?

Had she feared that he’d never rescue her father? Or had her most immediate concern been for him and Jacob?

Images rose in Zeke’s mind of his brother on the floor, blood staining his jeans. However, there hadn’t been another shot to his shoulder and chest. The vision had warned, but not all of it had come true.

There had to be a way for him to save Liz. She wasn’t inside any longer. He could feel it. And she wasn’t gone because Carreon’s lieutenants had her.

Zeke tore back through the internal tunnels toward the stronghold’s entrance.

Chapter Thirteen

No more than thirteen miles separated Carreon’s stronghold from Zeke’s. Liz thought the distance would have been greater. All this time, Zeke and his people had been so close to Carreon but hidden.

It was now dark, the moon fat, drizzling its silver rays over the stark landscape. Warm, dry air poured through the van’s vents, blowing Liz’s hair and tee. Her palms continued to sweat, forcing her to keep wiping them on her jeans.

From behind, there weren’t any lights from vehicles. Not that she’d been worried about anyone following her, except for the man she’d healed. This road was as inaccessible to the average person as Zeke’s stronghold had once been to her clan.

Had he, Jacob, and their men managed to fight off Carreon’s lieutenants? Were they still shooting it out? Had Zeke been—

An anguished sound poured from Liz.

She dug her thumbnails into the steering wheel, ordering herself to concentrate on her driving, not to think about Zeke getting hurt. He was a smart man who knew how to take care of himself—a freaking warrior built for battle. He’d survive.

---