Chapter Thirty Four

“Don’t shoot!” Hands raised, Alexis emerged through the beams of sunlight and shadow. She looked as tired as Gage felt. Dried blood coated the side of Alexis’s face, and her hands trembled as she stepped around darkened foliage. Her mud-caked clothing looked stiff and damp.

Stepping over a gnarled root, Chantal moved to her friend, and Gage blocked her with his broad frame.

“What are you doing? Lower the gun.”

“She may not be alone—this could be a trap.”

“I haven’t been kidnapped,” Alexis called. “I’m just relieved to see you both. I’ve felt disorientated since being dragged down the hillside in a wall of mud.”

“The landslide got you too?” Gage asked.

“Yeah! I shouldn’t have gone ahead. I heard your shout and it was too late. How many were swept down the hill?”

Gage lowered his weapon, and Chantal hurried over