“Go to the bathroom.” He bent forward, offering his hand. “No time to waste, Glenda. I scouted at first light and found evidence that soldiers were within a mile of us.”

She took his hand and he pulled her up, helping her climb out of the hole. Pain lanced throughout her body, sore muscles making themselves known. “What kind of evidence?”

“Dead bodies.”

His response sickened her. “They killed more people?”

“Animals. They were savagely bitten and drained of blood, with multiple bite marks. I’d guess it was four or five soldiers. They got too close for comfort. We’re putting more distance between us and them today.”

She shuddered, feeling sympathy for the poor creatures who’d died. It also made her aware of what could have happened if those creeper things had found them in the night. She turned her head and stared across the ravine. It terrified her thinking of how Veso would get her to the other side, but there were worse things, like being recaptured by those freaks.

“Go to the bathroom and eat. I’m packing up our camp.”

It didn’t take her long to relieve her bladder behind a tree and Veso opened a can of beans for her. They were gross cold but she managed to get half of it down. Thoughts of real food taunted her but at least she wouldn’t starve. Their meager supplies were better than nothing. Veso had packed up everything quickly and walked to the edge of the ravine, studying it at different angles.

Their conversation about his parents had changed the way she viewed Veso. It must have been difficult growing up without a mother who loved him. It explained a lot too. It would have messed him up being told he was the result of a power-hungry woman manipulating his father by having a baby she planned to use. Veso had been a tool to trade to get what she wanted. That’s what it basically boiled down to. His cold-blooded bitch of a mom had rejected his love, and it sounded as if she’d slammed him pretty hard for even having emotions.

It also explained why he probably viewed women as the enemy. The fact that Glen was human would make it ten times worse in his mind, since he’d made his dislike for them known. Not that she blamed him for that either, after the few discussions they’d had on the subject. He’d be on a most-wanted list of every scientist and sicko in the world, something to hunt down and capture for whatever purpose they had in mind. None of it would bode well for his future.

Veso turned, scowling as she limped up beside him to peer down at the ravine below.

She assessed the situation. It was a long way to the bottom, probably a few hundred feet. “I don’t think we have enough rope.”

“I knew that. I thought I’d lower you as far as possible, have you cling to something, then climb down to you. From there, I’ll lower you more until we reach the bottom. We’ll do the same getting you up the other side. I’ll climb until the rope ends, then haul you up until you have something to hold, and climb higher until we reach the top.”

“Fantastic.” She knew the sarcasm sounded clear in her voice. “It sounds super dangerous. Woohoo.”

“You’re hurting. I see the way you’re moving. Did you lie about having cuts?” He sniffed. “I don’t smell blood.”

“I’m out of shape. That’s all. There’s nothing you can do about pulled muscles or bruised feet. I’ll survive. Just don’t expect me to run any marathons.”

“Can you do this, Glenda?” He reached out and cupped her chin, making her gaze into his eyes. “Tell me the truth. I can tie you to my back if need be. We’ll have to leave most of the supplies behind but we have to get beyond this ravine.”

The solemn look on his face told her he meant every word. “I can do it. I don’t want to end up back in that cell again.”

He released her. “Put on your socks, multi layers, and let’s go.”

“You didn’t eat.”

“I had a snack before I woke you.”

She didn’t ask, afraid of his answer. He hadn’t touched any of the cans. It meant he’d hunted his food. Instead, she did as he’d ordered and put on two pairs of fresh socks, covering her feet. Veso wrapped their tarp, the shovel, shotgun, and the blanket. It surprised her when he just pitched them over the edge.

“I can’t believe you did that!”

He faced her. “What?”

“You probably broke the shotgun and the shovel.”

“I threw them on a big bush. It will have softened the landing. If not, the tarp and blanket are all we’ll need. Hand me the backpack.”

He made little sense to her. “You’re not throwing that too.”

“No. I’ll wear it on my back. Raw meat might sicken you and we can’t light a fire. I won’t risk the cans smashing open.”

She passed over the backpack and watched as he slung it on. Then he crouched next to her, using the end of the rope to wrap around her waist. She lifted her arms out of the way as he tied a knot.

“Hold on tight and when I’m close to the end of the rope, I’ll snarl. Find a good hold somewhere and dig in while I climb down to you.”

She got the gist of his plan. “I still think we should try to go around and find another way across.”

He sighed, his gaze locked with hers.

“Sorry. I felt the need to at least say it once more. But I’m starting to get to know you, and you’re stubborn. You’ve made up your mind. I just hope it doesn’t get me killed.”

He stood fast. “I won’t allow anything to happen to you.”

The sincerity in his tone surprised her. “Thank you.”

“It will be fine.”

“Just don’t drop me.” That was a real fear.

He grinned. “I could lift a small car. You’re nothing.”

She studied him.

“I’m not human, Glenda.”

“Right.” She swallowed hard. “Okay. How do you want to do this?”

“Just go over the edge.” He gripped the rope a few feet from her, the rest of it in a pile next to them. “I have you.”

Holy shit. I’m doing this. She turned away, gripped the rope with one hand, and went to the edge. It was a long way down but Veso had a point. He wasn’t human. He’d tossed that Vampire so hard it had busted through boards and made it at least six feet before sailing over the ledge at the mine they’d escaped from. That took a lot of brute strength. She was smaller than that creeper had been. I can do this.