“But I wasn’t caught, and I didn’t. Korgan and I both agreed it had to be done, and he wasn’t going to trust info like that to Margaret’s canine friend.” He shrugged. “And how else was I to get a message to her? Climb a tree and shoot an arrow into her tent? I’m not Robin Hood, Alisa.”

“No, just Indiana Jones.” It would have been an incredibly dangerous act at any time, but after Sasha’s warning it could have had lethal consequences for Gilroy. “Korgan should never have told you to do it.”

“It was a mutual decision.” He shook his head. “No, it was really mine. I would have done it no matter what Korgan said. I made Sasha a promise. I had to keep it.” He was gazing restlessly at the munitions shed. “Are you finished with me? I need to report in and then do a final check on the helicopter before it’s time for us to start out for Masenak’s camp. It all may come down to split-second timing.”

“I’m done with you.” She took a step back and then said haltingly, “Thank you, Gilroy.”

“No problem. I may see you later at the trucks. It depends on what Korgan decides about Baldwin. Either I lead the goat that lures Masenak to the slaughter, or I join your team to help get those students out of that tent.” He was turning away. “It’s all about the timing…”

“You keep saying that,” she called after him. “What timing? And what was the time on the message you left for Sasha?”

He only answered the last question before he disappeared into the munitions shed. “One forty-five A.M.”

*  *  *

One forty-five A.M.

Sasha took a deep breath as she looked down at the single line of script on the notepaper on her pillow.

One forty-five. And it was now nine fifteen. In a little more than four hours, the attack was going to happen.

She was starting to shake. Lord, she was scared. The responsibility was terrifying. If she did anything wrong, if she gave anything away, someone could die. She could die.

But she had known it was coming. She had been the one who had made sure it would come. So stop being a coward and just face it. Try to pretend it was like the first time she’d ridden Chaos, when she knew he still hated her and was going to try to kill her. She had ended up in the dirt, but he hadn’t stomped on her. She might end up in the dirt again, but she wouldn’t be alone as she had been that day. Gilroy had kept his promise today, and she would have Alisa and Margaret. That meant she would have someone else to help pick her up and get back on her feet if the going got too rough.