A burst of gunfire sounded from above, my heart jolting with each distant crack.

“Oh God,” I said. Maybe the people Leon had arranged to take over weren’t killers, but they still had weapons and if someone attempted to fight back, they were going to use them. Who was going to try to escape? If you had nowhere else to go, escape meant death just as surely as facing down a loaded gun.

Based on my travel time and descent, I estimated that I was very close to the front gate. That was confirmed when I spotted the roof of the guardhouse.

I moved swiftly around the back of the small structure, and then stood on my tiptoes to look inside. There was just enough light cast by the lanterns nearby to see that Asher was tied to a chair. He spotted me, his eyes widening as he beckoned me for help by gesturing with his head.

I ducked down again and moved quickly among the shadows to the front of the building, peeking around. The guards were there, but their backs were to me. I kept my eyes on them, my heart thundering as I opened the door, praying it wouldn’t squeak, and slipped inside. I released a gush of breath and then I ran to where Asher was, going down on my knees behind him and beginning to untie his bindings. “The guards are compromised. They surprised me in my sleep and tied me up,” he whispered. “I was able to grab one of their walkie-talkies—”

“That was intercepted. This place is being taken over by Leon Lee and a group of armed men you might have heard being let in through the gate. They plan on evicting the elderly by force, if not others too. Leon says they’re not planning on shooting anyone, but I don’t know if that’s true. They’re unaware you have any weapons here though. Freddie and Layne are gathering as many of your people as they can. They said you know where to meet.”

Once Freddie and Layne alerted a few, they could all begin spreading out quickly, already knowing the lay of the land, every row in all the gardens and each wall and terrace. Even the elderly were on their home turf whereas the invaders were not. It was a huge advantage.

The rope came loose, and Asher began freeing his hands. “I never trusted that guy,” Asher hissed before bending forward to untie the bindings at his ankles. “He acted like he owned the place the first day he arrived. They’ll be sorry they ever attempted this. Are you with us?”

“No. I’m not staying. I have somewhere else to be.”