“We all are¸ Darice,” Thia snapped at him. “You’re not alone in the misery. Now shut up already. You’re only making it worse. For all of us.”

Sumi yawned as she forced herself to continue on. That set off a round with the kids, who quickly followed her example, and made her long for their fierce protector to lead them to safety.

“I wish Dancer was here.” Darice rubbed at his eyes. “He wouldn’t be so mean to me.”

Thia rolled her eyes. “Then why do you treat him so bad? Huh?”

“Because he makes me mad. I don’t understand why he can’t please my mom and make her accept him already.”

When Thia opened her mouth to respond, Sumi shushed them. “Do you hear that?” she whispered.

Both Thia and Darice looked up with pale faces.

“Engines,” they said in unison.

Sumi nodded. “We have to find cover. Run for the rocks.” It was next to nothing, but it was better than being out in the open. Illyse rushed ahead to crouch down.

Pulling out her blaster, Sumi prepared to defend them as best she could.

They’d barely reached the rocks when two airbees came into view. She held her breath, hoping the riders wouldn’t see them.

At first, she thought it was safe and they’d skim right by their location.

Until the airbees turned back.

Lining up the shot, Sumi was just about to fire on them when she recognized the black and brown Andarion desert clothes on the one rider. Hesitating, she looked through the scope to make sure she wasn’t imagining things.

She wasn’t. She’d know that massive, sexy male anywhere.

“Dancer,” she breathed, lowering her weapon. She motioned for Thia and Darice to stay hidden with Illyse so that she could make sure he wasn’t being forced to track them down. The rider with him could be anyone.

Friend or foe.

As soon as Dancer saw her, they landed the bikes.

Thank the gods he wasn’t hurt. Weak with relief, she hadn’t realized just how scared she’d been for him. How much his safety mattered to her.

Until he approached her with a stride that said he was out for her blood. This wasn’t the Andarion who’d been so protective over the last few days.

This was the warrior who’d stormed a League prison and killed everyone who tried to stop him from saving the people he’d come to protect.

“What have you done with them?” he demanded in a deep, terrifying growl.

His furious tone stunned her and she wasn’t quite sure what he was asking. “What? The kids?”

“Darice! Thia!” he shouted.