Jayden didn’t comment when Aphra joined their group at angle three-forty-five. Elek and Jaft scowled at Vashi, who ignored them both. The tall woman’s long brown hair had been braided and twisted into a knot at the nape of her neck. Her tawny-colored eyes sparked with disdain as she scanned the others. Except for Jayden. A softness eased the strong lines of her face when she gazed at him.

They climbed to the surface. The sharp cold of the air chased away the last tendrils of sleep, and Shyla drew in a deep cleansing breath. It energized her. But she knew the bite in the air would eventually cause shivers and numb fingers.

When her eyes adjusted to the starlight, Shyla turned to the group. Mojag was right, everyone was so serious all the time. They had good reasons, but if there was too much pressure they’d all break. They needed to warm up. Might as well make it fun.

She pulled in a deep breath and said, “Last one there is a rotten velbloud egg!” She took off running. Suddenly feeling six circuits old, she laughed. The sound was carried by the wind.

For a few meters she worried that no one had followed her. That they all stood there staring after her as if she’d gone insane. Then a whoop sounded behind her along with the crunch and thrum of boots on the sand.

Jaft soon caught up to her. He flashed her a big grin. “You run like a gamelu with a sore hoof.”

“Better than smelling like one,” she countered.

“Yeah, well, enjoy the aroma, because you’ll be downwind of me from now on.” With a burst of speed, he pulled ahead.

Lian came up beside her and slowed to Shyla’s pace. “We’ll let that idiot burn up all his energy and then we’ll pass him while he’s bent over sucking in air.”

“Sounds like this isn’t the first time you’ve raced him,” Shyla said.

“Let’s just say he has issues with pacing himself.”

“Oh?”

Lian winked at her.

“Oooh.”

Vashi drew up on Shyla’s right side. “This is fun. I really needed to stretch my legs.”

“With those long legs, you have an unfair advantage,” Lian mock groused.

“And they’re handy in a fight.”

“Modest, too. I’m beginning to hate her,” Lian said, but without any malice.

Soon, they were too winded to talk. Shyla glanced behind her. Elek was a few meters back, while Aphra and Jayden jogged side by side. She wondered if they were biding their time. Or was Jayden keeping a slower pace for Aphra? The treasure hunter probably didn’t have the training the rest of them did.

As predicted, they passed Jaft about a kilometer from Tamburah’s temple. While far from bent over, he puffed and complained with each step. “Stupid…sand…sucks…all the…energy…from my…legs.”