A long scar cut across his face. "Boon Voss," Seiya whispered, terror tightening her voice. My blood ran cold. "So this was the man who had been hunting her for years." Boon Voss swung down from his horse. The Voss 5 dismounted behind him.
"Search everything," Boon ordered in a low, hard voice. "The woman was here. I know it. His men spread out. They began checking the rocks, peering into cracks, and studying every track pressed into the dirt.
Beside me, Seiya trembled. "They're going to find us," she whispered. "Not if we move now." "Where?" I studied the ground around us. Between two giant stones, there was a narrow passage barely wide enough for a person to slip through. If we moved carefully, we might make it without being seen.
Stay close. Move slow. We began easing through the gap, one careful step at a time. For a few seconds, I thought we were going to make it. We came close.
Damn close. Then Seiya stepped on a loose stone. It rolled across the ground. The sound cracked through the rocks like a gunshot. There," one of the Voss five shouted.
"Run!" I yelled. We broke from cover and sprinted toward the horses as Boon Voss and his men came after us. We threw ourselves into the saddles and kicked the horses hard. The first gunshots exploded behind us. "Faster," I shouted.
We rode like the devil himself was on our heels. The desert blurred into dust, stone, and thorny brush. Boonvos and the Voss 5 stayed after us, firing their guns and shouting threats as they rode. Fortunately, our horses had more speed. After nearly an hour, we finally managed to lose them.
We pulled up behind a cluster of huge rocks. Both of us soaked in sweat and fighting for breath. "You all right?" I asked. "Yes," Seiya said, struggling to steady herself. But they found us.
Cade Boonvos knows we're after the treasure. I know. He'll come back with more men, more guns. I looked straight at her. Then we ride faster and think smarter than they do.
And if we can't, I rested a hand on her shoulder. Seiya, I gave you my word that I'd help you. I intend to keep that promise all the way to the end. Tears began gathering in her eyes. Why are you willing to risk your life for me?
Because this isn't only about treasure anymore. It's about you. Keeping you safe. About I stopped myself. About what?
She asked softly. About the fact that you matter to me a whole lot more than you probably should. We stood there beneath the brutal desert sun while danger still felt close enough to breathe down our necks. Then Seiya stepped toward me and kissed me. It was soft, brief, but it carried every word neither of us had yet found the courage to say.
When we pulled apart, both of us were breathing harder than before. "Cade," she whispered. I feel something too. Something I've never felt before. What?