“Of course not,” Antonis says. “Well, maybe a little. That being said, maybe recruiting backup isn’t a good idea. We don’t want to involve more than is necessary for—”

Nalia buries her face in her hands. “Unbelievable. All this time—”

“Look,” Galen says. “I know this is an important discussion to have, but we’re wasting time where Reed is concerned. I don’t want to give Kennedy the chance to move him somewhere else.” Everyone nods in silent agreement. “I think Grom and Toraf and I should go.”

“I’m not leaving Rayna here with that lunatic,” Toraf says.

“You would trade one lunatic for another?” Galen says, though he knows Toraf’s mind is made up. Toraf is overprotective of his sister, which can be good and bad.

“Nalia, Emma, and Antonis can handle Tyrden. He’s bound and gagged. There’s no reason Rayna can’t go with us.”

Galen doesn’t like the idea of leaving Emma behind with Tyrden either—especially since he just got her back. But the fact is, Tyrden is tied up, and Nalia is practically an expert at shooting a gun—three of which she happens to be in possession of right now. And since Emma can’t shape a fin, she’ll be slowing the group down in the river.

He and Emma exchange looks of understanding. She nods slightly, giving him her acceptance of what can’t be helped.

“Okay,” Galen says. “We’ll take Rayna. Let’s go. We can’t wait for daylight. And watch for traps.”

* * *

They wade from the river onto shore in the moonlight. The trees and bushes around them are black and blue shapes, barely discernible in places where the canopy of the forest blocks the night sky. Barefoot, Toraf, Rayna, Galen, and Grom make their way to the tree line.

“How far is it from here?” Rayna whispers.

“Not far,” Galen says, taking the lead into the woods.

“How are we going to overtake him if he has a gun?” Grom says.

“We outnumber him,” Galen says. “And there are trees to hide behind. Plus, he’s not a great shot.”

“Perfect,” Toraf grumbles.

“You’re the one who wanted to bring Rayna,” Galen says.

“Can I change my mind?”

“No,” the twins say in unison.

“All of you, quiet,” Grom says. “Galen, stay focused.”

Galen squints into the distance. The outline of a cabin shapes itself against the trees behind it. “We’re here,” he whispers, pointing ahead of them. He motions for them to come closer to him. “We’re going to surround him and go from there.”

“What if he won’t come out?” Rayna says.

“He will once he knows we’re armed.”

“We’re not armed,” Toraf says.

Galen picks up a stick from the ground and breaks off a few twigs. He points the end of it at Toraf. “In the dark, we are armed.”

Toraf nods and finds his own stick, then for effect, he makes a shooting sound. Galen rolls his eyes.

As a group, they creep toward the cabin, sticks at the ready. Every time they break a sprig or crunch leaves under their feet, Galen cringes. There is no way Kennedy doesn’t know we’re coming. He takes off into a light jog, motioning for the others to circle the rest of the cabin. Galen claims a tree directly in front of the door.

When everyone is in place, Galen yells. “Kennedy, we’ve got you surrounded. Come out and we won’t hurt you.”

But Kennedy doesn’t answer. In fact, there don’t seem to be any sounds or movements coming from inside. Galen finds a rock and throws it at the lone window in the front, smashing out the bottom corner of it.

Still nothing.

There are no lights on within. Slowly Galen eases toward the steps, feeling a bit childish as he raises his stick like a gun. In the patch of moonlight, he can make out the padlock hanging from the door, locking it shut. Kennedy is not here.

“Reed?” Galen calls. “Reed, are you in there?” He peers in through the busted window. Reed’s shackles lay sprawled out on the floor under the window on the other side. Kennedy has already moved him.

Toraf and Grom meet him around front, and Rayna is not far behind. “They could still be close,” Galen tells them. “If he’s smart, he’ll be moving farther south. We should start—”

“Shhhh!” Rayna hisses. “Do you hear that sound?”

They all hold still. For a moment, the only noise that can be heard is the rustle of the windblown canopy above. Then a very distinct buzzing hits them from the direction of the river.

“A boat,” Galen says. “It has to be them.”

They sprint back to the embankment, not caring about the low-hanging limbs and branches whipping at their faces. In the distance, they see a small yellow light skitting across the river—heading south.

“They’re moving fast,” Grom says.

“Maybe I can catch them,” Galen says, wading in. Rayna grabs his arm. “We all saw your fin, Galen. You need to rest it. Let me handle this.”

“You’ll never catch them,” Galen says as Toraf huffs. “Absolutely not.”

Without so much as a word of warning, Rayna opens her mouth. And the Gift of Triton moves down the river in a giant wave.

43

GRANDFATHER TAKES the seat next to me at the picnic table. He clears his throat and makes a show of smoothing out the wrinkles in his T-shirt. Finally he says, “Well?”