Chapter Twelve

Pay in Blood

Mercedes and Elyan led the group into the woods, the six trackers fanned out around them searching the foiliage for signs of the missing soldiers. "How could I be so stupid?" Elyan growled.

Mercedes scoffed. "Quit blaming yourself! Orchid had been doing extremely well these last patrols. Don't forget I supported your decision to give her this chance."

"Both of you quit." Ghost chided, shaking her head. "This is no one's fault. We don't know why Orchid deviated from the path set out for her. The only way we'll know is by finding her."

"She's right, you know." Amber stepped up to walk next to them. "Blame isn't going to find them any quicker. Right now we just have to focus on getting them back safely. Only then will you truly know what happened."

Elyan nodded stiffly. "I know. Can't help it. Old habits die hard." She grimaced and moved farther ahead on the path. "Their gear is in the next clearing."

Delilah nodded to her companions and they soon dissapeared up into the treetops. "We'll watch your steps from above, sister."

Farther back in the line, Lex sped up to fall into step with Slade. He waited for Slade to look at him and smirked. "So. What do you make of all this?"

""All what?"

"You know. The whole story of the slaves and Ghost being the true leader and how they are planning to take the island back."

Slade furrowed his brow in thought. "Ghost seems sincere enough, but I get where you're going. We haven't seen things from the other side. Plus Victor seems to have quite the opinion of his sister."

Lex smirked. "Exactly. Got any ideas?"

"I'll think on it when we get back. Ram may have a few things to add to all this." Lex gave a nod and fell back a couple steps. Slade caught Ebony's gaze.

"What did he want?" She motioned to where Lex walked, now conversing with Jack.

"Nothing, just wondering if we're on the right side of this."

She frowned. "Oh I see. Lex is starting to wonder if he'll get anything out of helping, eh?"

"Probably." The two chuckled and turned their attention to the front of the group. Elyan had called a halt. Several packs lay on the ground in the clearing. The forms of Bray, Delilah, Zeke, and Tara dropped from the low-hanging tree branches. "What's going on?"

Mercedes stepped back to inform them. "This is the last known location of the missing patrol. From here we'll have to search to find which way they went. It's why we brought the Trackers with us." As she spoke, six members of the group approached Ghost and Elyan. Merceded pointed each out. "Christian and Roland are brothers, Sarai and Mason just got married last year at the Festival of the Harvest, and the last two are Melanie and Sady. They have been here since the very beginning when the adults were still alive and ran the place." Two dark-haired boys, about Sammy's age, a red-haired man and a platinum blonde woman, and two raven-haired women all split into groups, with one of Delilah's guards following each pair via treetop.

Ghost turned to face the group. "We will wait here until one of the groups signals they have found something. Sit and have a bite to eat. All is in hand." She slowly sank down to the ground. "Now if only I could convine myself of that." She whispered to herself.

"We're deep into their territory aren't we?" Amber asked as she sat down next to her. Ghost merely nodded, her head in her hands. Jay, Salene, May, and Ellie joined the two.

"How bad is this Sylhira?" May asked gently.

"She's uttely cold and controlling. She does not care for the well-being of others, only her power." Ghost shook her head. "Orchid is so innocent. She won't stand a chance against a patrol."

Jay frowned. "What kind of trouble are we up against if we do run into one?" Strangely for some reason he didn't feel the answer was going to be a good one.

"Most won't think twice before taking us prisoner. They are pure soldier. In the first days after the virus, we trained to keep the order, but now, it's merely for gain." A whistle pierced the air and they all shot to their feet.

"What does that mean?" Salene turned to Ghost who held out a hand. Three more whistles followed.

Ghost gasped. "Dammit! We're about to get company! At the ready!"

Elyan bolted over to the group followed closely by Delilah. "Patrol rotation already?"

"We were expected." Ghost replied gravely as figures dressed in brown and black outfits similar to Ghost's stepped out of the brush from all sides. Bold red streaks in their hair and on their faces made it quite obvious who their captors were. Graf positioned himself in front of Ghost and Delilah, blocking them from view as the Captain came into the clearing. Jay stood slightly in front of Amber and Trudy, Salene and May stood back to back, as did Ebony and Slade. Jack, Ellie, and Lex stood with Mercedes, Elyan, and Zane. Everyone had their crosssbows trained outward at the closing-in ring of Red Sisterhood members.

Several of the members stepped forward and pushed each of the six trackers into the rest of the group. "Missing something?" their captain sneered. "You rabble were told to keep your patrols out of our territory. And here you come full-force onto our part of the island." She tsked and paced a bit. "We have your other friends by the way. Poor little things are quite frightened."

"Let them go, you vile creatures!" Elyan growled, spitting at the captain's feet.

"Well..well...well. If it isn't the Captain of the illustious Tree Guard." She stopped in front of her. "Hello Elyan. Regretting leaving us yet?"

"Never, Rhian. I will never regret the day I followed Anna away from that insane wench you call a Matron!"

In a lightning-fast manuevre, Rhian struck out and slapped Elyan, sending her to the ground. "How dare you! Sylhira has shown us the true way!"

"The way to hopelessness. She only creates discord." Ghost said quietly stepping out from behind Graf. Her crossbow held losely at her side. "She will pay the price for her actions, though."

Rhian's eyes widened as she stared at Ghost. "Look who we have here." She drawled. "If it isn't the traitor herself. Oh I am sure to be promoted to special forces for turning you in. Your blood will stain the steps of the compound for everything you've done." She stalked closer to her and spotted Delilah. "Both the sisters even. I am truly lucky today."

"Rhian, enough!" Another woman stepped from the brush. Olive skin, dark eyes, and blue-black hair made her stand out. Rhian cowed slightly and stepped back.

Ghost smirked. "Still getting stuck with the impetuous ones, eh Sphinx?"

The woman turned to her slowly. "And what would you know about that?"

They stare at each other for several tense moments before breaking out in grins and embracing warmly. "It's good to see you Sphinx."

A/N: Sorry this took so long. My hard drive went all funky on me. It would crash if I was online for more the 10 minutes. I spent two weeks fixing it, and there's still a few kinks. Enjoy the chapter I already have a goood start on the next one so expect it to come along soon. Once again, so sorry for the wait. Review my lovlies! It makes my day! SpiritChild