There were boulders to the right of the trail. She’d have to pass Masenak, and this might be her only chance to make a move before they joined Reardon. “It’s not going to work, you know,” she said as she moved toward him. “It’s all over for you. Why don’t you—” As she passed him, she pushed him with all her strength! He staggered back, half losing his balance.

She ducked behind the nearest boulder, struggling to get the gun out of her pocket.

A bullet plowed into the boulder next to her!

She ran!

That shot might have only been a threat, but Masenak had been clear about how much he hated her. Find another boulder or tree to hide behind before she tried to use her gun to protect herself. She didn’t know enough about guns to have a battle while she was running down this damn trail.

Another shot!

It hit the pine tree only a foot from her head.

She could hear him cursing, and he was getting closer. Her hand tightened on the gun. There was another pine several yards ahead. She would dive behind it and try to get off a shot at Masenak before he was on top of her…

“Down!”

Alisa’s voice. Alisa tackling her, bringing her to the ground, covering her with her own body.

“No!” Sasha desperately pushed at her. “Get away. He’s right behind me.”

But he was no longer behind her. Masenak was struggling with someone. A dark-haired man who had his hands on Masenak’s throat, strangling him. Even as she watched, Masenak broke free and was running away, streaking toward the forest. But he still had his gun, she realized. He was still a threat. He could come back and hurt Alisa.

And he could hurt the horses, she realized suddenly. He was running right toward Chaos and Nightshade. She started struggling again. “No, I have to stop him!”

“Lie still.” Alisa’s arms tightened around her. “You don’t have to do anything. Korgan is going after him.”

It had been Korgan who had been struggling with Masenak and almost put him down, Sasha realized. But that only meant the threat was to him, too. She pushed Alisa aside and sat up to see Korgan running toward the trees after Masenak. “Masenak still has his gun.”

“Not for long.”

“No, not for long.” She grabbed Alisa’s arm as Alisa opened her lips to speak. “Hush for a minute. I have to do something.” She closed her eyes and concentrated.

He’s coming toward you, Chaos. He has a weapon, and he’ll try to hurt you and everyone else. We can’t let him do that.

He’s trying to hurt you?

Yes, me, too. He’s a little crazy right now and he’s striking out to hurt everyone. Be careful, but make sure he can’t do that.