Page 95 of Legacy of Lies
“I have no choice,” he said, his jaw tight, neck muscles tensed to the breaking point. “What else can I do?”
Eric gestured toward Shelby, her groans audible as she fought to maintain control of her power. Garrison knew how much the prolonged use of her ability hurt. She’d returned from search-and-rescue missions completely wrecked by headaches. But she always found her lost hiker or climber. Always.
Sometimes even found the missing person alive.
Which was why he was betting everything he had on her skill. His sister was Zach’s only hope.
Full dark had fallen, replaced by a rising moon in cloudy skies. At least the heavy snow had faded to flurries. Every second that ticked away was a second closer to death for Zach and Sara. As for Shelby? A few Tylenols and a nap and she would be fine. He hoped.
Zach and Sara might not okay, though, if he didn’t hurry.
He’d push his sister’s psychic ability to the limit, if it meant finding his son and ...
What was Sara to him?
Girlfriend? They really hadn’t dated.
Lover? Too harsh.
He would give her no label. Couldn’t. Not now.
“Shel. Anything?” He tried to temper his voice to be less demanding. But he gritted his teeth and glanced at his watch again. Damn it. Almost 7 p.m. It had taken way too long to get out there.
Neither Zach nor Sara had coats. How long could someone last out in the elements without warm clothing?
The three of them guided their horses deep into the forest, where the terrain became steeper. Picking a line up the slopes that the horses could manage had become challenging.
Was Shelby even pointing them in the correct direction?
“Yeah. We’re going the right way.” She coughed, a harsh, raking sound, pressed her hand to her chest, and then cried out and grabbed her forehead beneath her hat.
Eric nudged his horse near Shelby’s and scowled at Garrison.
Couldn’t help it. Garrison needed to find his kid. Needed to find Sara.
Needed to kill a certain rancher.
“Can you sense both of them?” Garrison asked.
“No. I’m locked into Zach.” Kneeing the horse to a slightly different angle, she led them toward a thick, dark stand of trees. “Oh my Lord, he’s really cold, Garrison. His legs hurt, feet are numb. Good God.” Her shoulders slumped, and she grabbed the pommel to stay in the saddle.
“Geezus.” Eric put a hand out to keep her on the horse. “Stop making her do this.”
“No. We have to get to him soon. Keep going. I can tell what he’s feeling,” she said.
By the time her voice reached Garrison, it was a mere thread of sound, and it took him a second to process what she’d revealed.
“Wait a minute, Shelby. What did you just say?”
“I said ... Zach is cold. And ... he’s scared.” Her wheezes were getting worse.
“How do you know?” Garrison’s blood froze in his veins.
“Damn it, I don’t know. I just know he’s cold.”
“Before, could you ever tell what your target felt?”
“Yeah, no. Oh, wow. This might be something new.” She rubbed her gloved fingers, like they had suddenly become cold. “Whatever is happening is definitely weird, but we’ll deal with it later. Let’s find your kid.”
