“Oh.”

“Move, Glenda. Now!”

She spun, doing what she’d been told. He followed her, keeping on alert. He was happy when she traveled at a faster pace without the weight of the backpack. Her balance was a lot better too, and he didn’t have to reach out to keep her from falling as she climbed over rocks. She even stuck to the closely grown-together trees, just as he’d asked.

She might have potential as a mate after all.

That thought had him biting back a growl. His mind kept going there and it irritated him. The blood transfer had to be a temporary thing but he’d hoped the effects would have faded after twenty-four hours. It had been longer and he still felt attracted to her, thinking of her in a way he shouldn’t.

They were making good time. He stuck close to her, his gaze constantly moving, seeking a threat. The damn Vamp had day guards. It pissed him off. It meant they were being hunted around the clock and there was no safety just because the sun had risen. He’d also bet they had dart guns. The master was obviously insane but he would know humans posed no threat to a VampLycan unless they could drug him.

They made it down a slope and into another area ravaged by past flood waters. He didn’t like being in the open but they couldn’t bypass the area. He grabbed Glenda’s arms before they left the trees and pulled her to a halt. He removed water and handed it to her.

“Catch your breath first. We have to run as fast as you can across this.”

She stared at the destruction where water had taken down trees, left deep scars in the earth, and dragged rocks so they were partially covered. “We’ll break our necks.”

“One day guard means there are probably more.”

She drank, handed the bottle back, and surprised him when she began to search the ground. She located a broken stick, then another, fisting them.

“What are you doing?”

She faced him. “I might not be Miss Outdoor Survival Champion but I’ve seen movies. These are good weapons. I dare any asshole to try to take me back to that mine. I’ll stab him or her in the throat if they come at me. I’m not going to run and break my leg trying to get through that obstacle course.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“It’s uneven, rough ground, covered in rocks and trees and debris. I could fall and stab myself on one of these.” She shook a hand, brandishing her stick. “I’m putting my foot down about this right now. I’m carefully walking across that area until we get to higher ground and the upright trees. Then I’ll run again once we get past the clearing. Got it?”

“Glenda, you’re not being reasonable.”

“I’m human. You might be able to run across that without bodily injuries but not me. We’re compromising on this. Deal with it, Veso.”

He growled.

“Understood. You’re not happy. How about you run and I’ll follow at a slower pace to where you disappear into the trees? That way you can watch me and yell if you see anyone coming?”

That idea wasn’t a bad one. She probably would fall and get hurt if he made her run. This way she’d only have to risk it if he spotted danger. He studied her. She looked tired. Walking would help her catch her breath. “Be careful.”

“You too.”

He hesitated, glanced toward where they’d come from, but felt certain no one was behind them. “Move as fast as you can and you run to me if I yell at you. Deal?”

“Like my ass is on fire.”

He assumed that meant she agreed. He took off, not allowing his instincts to overrule his common sense to stay at her side. Her plan was solid, if not ideal. He dodged fallen trees, jumped over some of the larger rocks, and made it to the other side. He entered the trees, put the tarp down, and shrugged off the backpack. He climbed a tree, using his claws to tear into the bark. He got high enough to have a good vantage point.

Glenda had begun to cross the clearing. He checked her progress, ground his teeth at her extreme caution, then turned his attention elsewhere, looking for any movement that wasn’t her. He spotted some wildlife but nothing human. He kept scanning, silently urging her to move faster.

He was able to glimpse the river when he climbed higher to get a better view. White caught his eye and he twisted, gripped another branch, and moved to get a better look. A low growl caught in his throat. Two humans were out there but far away still. They had large backpacks on, like hikers wore. He glanced from their location to Glenda. They wouldn’t be able to see her unless they left the trees and rounded a bend where the flood trail had flowed.

He lost sight of them for a few minutes because of the density of the woods but then he caught another glimpse. They were heading toward the river. He swung back to the original branch he’d stood on and calculated how fast they’d have to move to avoid those humans. They could do it but Glenda would need to run.

Veso climbed down after feeling secure those two were the only threat. He waved to Glenda, using his finger over his lips to keep her quiet when he stepped out far enough for her to see him. She looked up, her mouth opened, but she said nothing. Fear showed on her face though. He nodded, dropped his hand from his face, and held up two fingers, then pointed in the direction of where he’d seen the men.

She picked up the pace and he hurried down the embankment, hauled her into his arms, and carried her back into the tree line so they’d make it there faster.

“Are you sure they’re bad guys?”

He gently lowered her to her feet and put the backpack on. “I told you. It’s a remote area. They’d have been food if they weren’t working with the Vampires.”

“That’s not exactly what you said but point made.”

“We have to run to get ahead of them to the river. Try to keep quiet and I’ll lead.”

She reached out suddenly and gripped his arm. “You’re not lying to me, are you?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I might balk at the river but now I’m afraid, so I’ll just do what you say when we get there, despite being worried I’ll drown.”

“I won’t lie to you, Glenda. There are two humans and we need to avoid them.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Chapter Nine

Glen had what she felt would be a permanent cramp in her side and her feet ached by the time they reached the river. Veso turned, staring down at her. It annoyed her that he wasn’t panting too or covered in sweat. If she ever had doubted he wasn’t human, no more. He’d kept her to a grueling pace between the clearing and the large body of water.