She nodded. “We need to get back to Vedin and the others. Let me catch my breath before you start the inquisition.”
“Just one question before we go.” He pointed back toward the barrier. “Where is that place? Because it’s sure not anywhere on this mountainside.”
“That much is true, Eli.” Safara paused to stare up at him, her worried eyes taking his measure. “In fact, it’s not even on this planet. Now let’s get out of here.”
Then she walked away, leaving him staring at the barrier. Was she really expecting him to believe that he’d just stepped foot in another world?
The answer was obvious—yeah, she did. It was hard to argue with the little demonstration she’d just provided him. In less than thirty yards, he’d gone from the lush, green terrain of the Pacific Northwest to a high desert. The plant life was unfamiliar, and the sky was a strange color. Hell, even the air smelled different and felt thinner.
So either she was crazy or he was for believing her. Only one way to find out which of those two things was true. He’d listen to what she had to say and go from there.
He made his way toward the entrance of the cave, the one right there on planet Earth. Along the way, he wondered what his life was coming to when the best outcome from today’s events would be to learn he’d lost not just his life in that helicopter crash, but his mind as well.
11
Her father was going to have a full-on hissy fit when he found out what she’d just done, but surely he’d realize why she’d had to introduce Eli to their reality. Then again, maybe not. He’d made his opinion on her involvement with Eli all too clear. Regardless, it was too late now.
Her thoughts spun in circles as she left the cool interior of the cave behind. She crossed the clearing to point Vedin and his men in the direction of Eli’s cabin, promising to join them shortly. She stopped long enough to retrieve her backpack, not because she particularly needed it right then. It was more of an excuse to wait for Eli. If he didn’t reappear soon, she’d have to go back in after him.
He finally stepped out of the cave, his hard gaze immediately zeroing in on her. He pointed toward a large tree off to the side of the clearing. “I have to go back up to get my gear, then I’ll catch up with you.”
She smiled for the first time in what felt like forever. “So, sneaky man, that’s where you were hiding.”
He set his sword down on the ground and then grinned back at her as he started to climb, standing on a boulder to boost himself up to the lowest branch. “Yeah. Most people don’t think to look up.”
“Well, I will from now on.”
She hurried over to stand underneath the spreading branches of the tree to check out where he’d been hiding. Not all that high up, but enough that he wouldn’t be easily seen by anyone approaching on the ground.
“Here, make yourself useful.”
The unexpected demand left her with barely enough time to get her hands up to catch his backpack. She set it aside but kept her eyes focused on the limbs above her head in case something else came flying her way. A second later, Eli dropped down from his perch with a rifle slung over his shoulder.
“We’d better get a move on. Wouldn’t want your alien invaders to get lost. Can you imagine trying to explain them to the search-and-rescue people?”
She knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but the crack about alien invaders struck a little too close to home. “You do realize that I’m one of those aliens, too.”
He didn’t look all that shocked. “Yeah, I’ve put a few of the pieces together. It would help if I knew what the rest of the puzzle looked like.”
He pointed toward the trees. “Vedin and his buddies didn’t make it very far.”
The Sworn Guardian was sitting on a log with his three Blademates surrounding him, their hands on the pommels of their swords. He slowly stood back up as they approached. “We weren’t sure where to go from here.”
Eli pointed toward the next rise. “My place is about a ten-minute hike from here in that direction.”
Then he frowned. “Okay, I’m not sure if you know what a minute is, but it won’t take us long to get there. Do you need help walking?”
Vedin tilted his head to the side to acknowledge the offer of assistance. “No, I should be able to get that far.”
Eli took the other man at his word. “Safara, lead the way while I guard the rear.”
He turned back to Vedin. “Give a holler if you need her to slow down.”
Normally, she might’ve protested the way he was issuing orders right and left, but it was interesting to see this side of him. Even while he spoke, his eyes were constantly on the move, watching their surroundings for any sign of danger. Clearly he was used to being in command in any similar situation. He’d also assumed responsibility not only for her safety, but for the Kalith warriors as well. She had no doubt at all that he wouldn’t hesitate to put himself between all of them and any perceived threat. His military background was definitely on display right now, and he was in full warrior mode.
It was sexy as hell.
Rather than follow that thought down the rabbit hole, she walked past the Sworn Guardian and his men. “This way, gentlemen.”
