Page 126 of After 5

“What should I do with this?” The small puzzle box balanced on his open palm.

She closed his fingers around it with her own. “When you find her, you can return it to her.”

“I dinnae kin if I’ll ever see her again?”

When Elma didn’t answer, Caiyan frowned at her. “Why didnae ye jest give her the key back?”

“She has to learn what’s important, then she can claim the key for herself.”

“Riddles. Puzzles. Why cannae ye jest speak clearly. Tell her what she needs to do?”

“She won’t grow that way. I could say the same for you.” Her head lifted like a deer hearing the footsteps of an approaching hunter. “They’re coming. You need to decide if you’re going to be like the eagle or live like the crow.”

With that she walked away and vanished into the landscape.

Caiyan pocketed the puzzle box but stood his ground.

“I saw him come this way,” Brodie said as he and Ace stepped into the clearing.

Ace swatted at a mosquito. “The bugs here are awful, and my tummy feels woozy from the chloroform. When can when we leave?”

“As soon as I kick his arse.” Brodie halted as he came face to face with Caiyan.

Ace glanced around and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Screwing up my life,” Caiyan said.

“Tired of being such a sneaky git?” Ace asked and moved to flank Caiyan.

“All right mate, we’re here ta stop ya, but first, I’m giving ya what’s due.” Brodie pushed up his sleeves and dropped into a crouched position, fists at the ready.

Caiyan gave a long, low sigh and held his fists up as if agreeing for the sake of it.

Brodie lunged for Caiyan. Caiyan dodged and gave him a good punch in the kidney. Brodie came back with a right hook that caught Caiyan square on the jaw. Round and round they went until they were on the ground punching, kicking, and roughhousing like two pubescent brothers.

Ace sat on a nearby log and examined his manicure. After several minutes, both men lay spent on the ground. The brush parted and Gerry stepped into the ring. “Are you guys finished dicking around? The moon cycle’s about done and I’m out of whiskey.”

The moon cycle—I’d almost forgotten I was on a schedule.

Caiyan stood, used his sleeve and wiped away a trail of blood leaking from his nose, offered Brodie a hand. Brodie clasped his hand, and Caiyan hauled him up.

“Sorry mate, we’re gonna take ya in.”

Gerry secured Caiyan’s hands behind his back. “Can’t have you making a run for it.”

“If I wanted to run, ye wouldnae be able to stop me.”

His eye had a deep cut above the brow. I remembered kissing that scar. The memory twinged my lady parts. I couldn’t leave until they did, without being noticed.

“Let’s go, McGregor.”

The leaves swirled on the trees and Ace’s photo booth appeared. They loaded Caiyan inside and Ace joined him. Poof! Caiyan had been arrested. The story of the way he returned to the WTF was complete. I hoped I hadn’t made the mistake of my life.

“Did ya really drink all the whiskey?” Brodie asked Gerry.

“Yep. Shall we make a pit stop before we head back to base?”

“Not on your life. I’ve been waiting a long time to bring that wanker in. I want to have a front row seat.” A flurry of wind shook the leaves on the trees. The men boarded their vessels and were gone.

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