Page 56 of Phoenix Chosen 3

“Yeah, freakin’ hawk eyes,” Jackson mutters. “Damn. Wait, hold on. I’ve got something in my bag.”

He disappears into the cave, returns with a small black rod, and holds it up to his eyes. It gleams in the sunlight like a droplet of water.

“Cat archer with a red bow,” he says. “Wow. Yeah, I see them.”

“Let me look,” says Tyler, taking the seeing rod from Jackson. “Fuck. That’s the hunter that was with Praxis, right?”

“The very same,” I say.

“Then they found our trail,” Tyler says nervously.

“Perhaps they’ve lost it,” Airos says. “If they had our trail, I doubt we’d be spying on them out in the open like this.”

“Unless they’re trying to create a diversion,” Jackson says.

We all look at him.

“I think we need to get out of here immediately,” says Tyler.

“I agree,” Airos says.

We descend the rocks into the hideout. We’ve already packed what salvageable supplies are left into two knapsacks for Airos and me to carry. Jackson has his bag, and Tyler is carrying Eggy.

“There’s a creek that runs within the forest to the south of here,” Airos says. “We’ll cut across the land, staying away from the roads, and make for the water. That’s where we’ll disguise our scent.”

I nod. “Good plan. I had the same idea.”

“How are we gonna do that?” Tyler asks.

I wrap my arm around Tyler’s shoulder. “You aren’t going to like this very much. Remember how we first met?”

He groans. “Dammit. And here I was thinking I was gonna get tostayclean for a while.”

23

TYLER

Thick river mud encases my sandaled foot like a sticky boot as we step into the stream. The wind blows, carrying the smell of the nearby swamp. At least this time my shoes stay on my feet.

“Love this,” I say. “Wonderful.”

Jackson marches ahead of us, backpack slung over one shoulder like he’s on his way to work.

“Here,” Airos says. “We can cross here.”

We stop at the side of the stream. The water is shallower here, with smooth river stones and fallen branches peeking out from beneath the flowing water and trails of river algae waving beneath the surface like long green hair. The moment I stop, my leg sinks deep into the mud. Without waiting, Kalistratos starts to remove his chiton to go for a mud bath.

We’re here to cover our scent and mask our trail. I don’t like it, but it has to be done.

“A moment,” Airos says. “Before we get started, a first order of business.” He tugs several pieces of cloth from his sleeve like a street magician pulling out a handkerchief.

“What’s this?” Kalistratos asks.

“It’s no use if we simply mask our scent here. We need to create a diversion. Rub these on your cocks.”

Jackson turns away, laughing. “Daamn, bro. Are you serious? Shouldn’t you at least offer to pay me first?”

Kalistratos raises an eyebrow at the request, but then he lifts the front of his chiton and stuffs the rag into his underwear.

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