Chapter 15

Alex pressed closer to the dubious shelter of the near vertical cut bank, and Manuel wedged himself into the same slight niche. He held his breath, waiting for the crack of the shot and the whine of a bullet—if he heard the second sound it had passed them. Eerie as the bullet sound was it beat the hell out of that sullen thud of lead impacting flesh. He’d heard that a few times, too. Not good.

Instead of a shot, a silent command echoed in their minds. ::Turn around and go back. There’s nothing here that concerns you. The wolf is gone and you will not find it. Go back while you can, while we are willing to let you.::

Manuel heard Alex draw a slow breath. He was holding his. He let it out and gulped in another of hot, dry air. How could a soundless voice feel so cold, so downright evil? There was no emotion in the message, nothing even remotely human and yet there were words, a direct order.