Page 110 of Nothing But Air

“Even after nearly getting us all killed?”

“Especially after that.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“I know.” Marcus closed the notebook. “But I swear I’m not trying to hurt anyone. I just need to find something. Something important.”

“Important enough to die for?”

Marcus didn’t answer.

“Important enough to risk everyone else dying?”

Still nothing. Just fire reflected in dark eyes.

Marcus’s jaw worked. “It’s not that simple.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I can’t.” Marcus stood abruptly. “Not yet. Maybe not ever.” He moved toward his sleeping area. “But I’m not your enemy, Teague. Whatever you think—I’m not.”

“Then prove it. Get some sleep. Don’t do anything stupid. And later today, when we’re out of this canyon, maybe we can have a real conversation.”

Marcus nodded once. Lay down. Didn’t close his eyes.

Kyle approached next, settling on a rock across from Teague. His gaze drifted past—toward Eden’s sleeping form, the curve of her shoulder in the firelight—before he caught himself.

“We should discuss the hike out. When do you want to leave?”

“We leave at first light.” He’d let Eden get a little more sleep. “Should make the rim by midafternoon.”

“Sounds good.” Kyle stretched, but his eyes drifted toward Eden again. “I’m beat. Think I’ll catch a little sleep before then. You should too.”

“I’m good.”

“You sure? You look like you could use the rest.”

“I’m sure.”

Kyle’s mouth curved slightly. “You know, she and I used to be close. Back before Landon fell.”

Teague’s hand stilled on the stick he’d been feeding to the fire. “Is that right.”

“She’s something special, isn’t she?” Kyle’s eyes were steady on his. Testing. “The kind of woman worth fighting for.”

“She’s also the kind of woman who makes her own choices.”

“True.” Kyle lay down on the far side of the fire. Minutes later, his breathing evened.

Or seemed to.

And then Teague was alone with the dying flames and the weight of everything he’d gotten wrong.

An owl called from somewhere above. The creek murmured in the distance. He pulled the radio from his pack. Looked identical to the one in Eden’s pack—with the exception of the tampering. If something went wrong on the hike out, and something in his gut said it would, they’d have a way to call for help.

He’d risked everything to get to Liam in time.

And lost Eden in the process.