Shadow’s bag had at least six weapons of different sizes. She grabbed one of the smallest handguns, testing it in her hand. It was heavy and cold. It should have a safety. She located it, making sure it was off and kept the muzzle pointed away from her body. It wouldn’t do if she accidently shot herself.

She crept toward the closed window and peeked outside at the woods. There was no movement except for signs that it was a little windy. For once she wished she had the extremely heightened Species sense of smell—primate wasn’t as keen as canine or feline.

Her heart rate remained unsteady, part fear, part anger. Shadow and Breeze were in danger. No way would she curl up and hide in a metal tub while they fought, if it came down to it. They might think her useless but she didn’t agree. No one had ever really given her the chance to prove she wasn’t defenseless but she’d managed to attack Torrent.

Time crawled as the occasional whisper could be heard from below. Breeze and Shadow talked too low for her to pick up the words but she tensed when one of them growled. It had to mean they’d seen or sensed something they didn’t like.

“Fuck,” Breeze said louder. “Tree trunks don’t move but that’s what I just saw. They are wearing expensive camouflage clothing. I’ve got motion in two locations.”

“Three on this side,” Shadow snarled. “There are more than four.”

“I’m calling it in on my cell phone.” There was a pause. “I have no signal.”

“There should be.”

Beauty had to agree. She’d called Breeze from her cell phone without trouble.

“They must have taken out the antenna that boosts the signal this far out.” Breeze’s voice deepened in rage. “Do you have a satellite phone? They can’t stop us from using one of those.”

“It’s upstairs.”

“I’m on it,” Beauty called out, happy to do something.

“I told you to get inside the tub,” Shadow snarled loudly.

She ignored him to stride to the dresser. She’d seen one of the phones in the top drawer and pulled it out. It took her a few seconds to figure out how to turn it on. The Reservation number was programmed into the memory. She couldn’t get a signal.

“Oh no. It doesn’t work.”

“Bring it down,” Breeze snapped, her hearing keen.

“No,” Shadow protested. “Stay up there where it is safer.”

“We need help.” Breeze’s tone lowered. “They are approaching slowly but I see them. Bring it to me, Beauty. Hurry.”

Beauty put the gun down in case they got angry at her for having one and rushed downstairs. She handed the phone to the Species. Breeze rested the shotgun against her chest, cradled in one arm, and tried to use it. A shocked expression paled her features.

“This can’t be happening,” she whispered. “No signal is registering. How is that possible? We were assured these would work no matter what.”

“They must be jamming the entire area.” Shadow growled. “These aren’t typical humans.”

“What does that mean?” Beauty glanced between them.

“The task force had jamming equipment that could choke all airways.” He looked grim. “Military grade and it’s not cheap or easy to come by.”

“Do you think they are members of your team?” Breeze paled. “Would they betray us this way?”

Shadow shook his head. “No. It’s not the task force out there. I’m just saying, if they got their hands on that equipment, then they aren’t a standard group of humans. They have money and contacts.” His gaze slid to Beauty. “Get upstairs.”

“You think Master sent them after me?”

He growled. “I told you to stop calling him that.”

“That’s what you think, isn’t it?”

He nodded sharply. “He is rich and could hire the best mercenaries. Go upstairs.”

“Where are our males? Where is Torrent? He’s supposed to be hunting them.” Breeze passed the phone back. “Do as he says, Beauty. Stay in the tub. I’m sure they are armed. The gunfire will at least draw some of the residents here if they don’t pick up the scent of humans on the wind first.”

“Two more,” Shadow growled. “That’s seven in all unless you have spotted more.”

“Eight,” Breeze hissed. “One is in the trees. I just saw a glint reflect off something. He’s probably using binoculars to check us out.” She hugged the wall tighter, trying to hide. “We’re greatly outnumbered.” She released the shotgun with one hand and used her knuckle to tap the wall. “Not good. Bullets are going to slice right through the wood. This is one of the original cabins that was already here, not the better-quality ones we built.”

“We have to assume the worst.” Shadow spoke calmly but he looked furious. “There are more of them than Torrent knew of. Security wasn’t aware of it either or they would have given him more accurate information.”

“You want to assume Torrent and the officers in this area are dead?” Breeze grimly met his gaze.

“Yes.”

“We would have heard it if they shot our males. They couldn’t take out a Species in a hand-to-hand fight. They are human.”

“Silencers.” Shadow looked out the window. “We wouldn’t have heard anything either if they have snipers taking them out from a distance. Our males wouldn’t have even spotted them until it was too late. They could fire before their scents were picked up.”