“She’s not hurt?” Alisa’s relief was enormous. But it was immediately followed by another wave of terror and impatience. “Why should I pay attention to Juno? You know she doesn’t always understand or interpret the way we do. I need to go see for myself.”

“Which is why the message went to me,” Margaret said dryly. “Sasha knew that would be your first impulse. But I might mention it was also Juno’s, and that should let you know that you’re reacting with the same degree of need and response as my dog. I had to talk her out of being unreasonable. Don’t make me go through it again.”

Alisa frowned. “What was the message?”

“Just a few words, and she probably made it as clear and simple as she could since she was going through Juno.” She paused. “‘Everything changed. Mountains. Hurry. Get them out.’”

“That’s not enough. We need more. I can go and—” She stopped. “I know. We can’t take a chance on me being caught and ruining everything when we’re so close to rescuing them.” She whispered, “I’ll have to leave her again, won’t I?”

“She didn’t give you details, but she was clear enough about cause and effect,” Margaret said. “And I believe the main word she wanted you to grasp was ‘hurry.’ So don’t you think you should go put a little more pressure on Korgan? As if he didn’t have enough.”

Alisa gave one last look at the path leading to Masenak’s camp before she nodded jerkily. “He thrives on pressure. This will only be a little bit more.” She turned and started back toward the border. “And he’s going to particularly dislike the idea we’re applying it because Juno told us to. I might decide to wait and go into that detail later…”

*  *  *

But she didn’t wait or hedge about anything that had happened on their mission to the camp. She was done with avoiding the truth as she knew it. He could believe what he liked about Juno, but it was beginning to be important to Alisa that he believe in her. Hell, beginning? Be honest, it had started before she had even met him. Everyone needed someone to respect and look up to, and it was natural that she had chosen him. Just as it was natural for him not to feel the same way.

“You believe what Sasha told Margaret?” Korgan leaned back in his camp chair, his gaze on her face. “You think that we might be in trouble if we don’t strike hard and fast?”

“I think it might not happen at all. Sasha said there had been a change and to hurry. She was scared, but she doesn’t panic. She was trying to tell us that she’s afraid everything might fall apart. You have to get those girls out right away before it does.”