Chapter 149: The calm before the ambush.

Garon’s eyes went from Ian to the new arrival and he muttered, "Great, another relative. Are we hunting a fugitive or going for a family reunion."

Mayor Logan cleared his throat smoothly, stepping between the two young men. "Mister Job is joining the team as well. Officially, he is here to ensure Ian’s personal safety, I cannot leave the boy with just you."

However, unofficially, Job was a spy. He was to watch Ian’s every move, making sure the boy didn’t entertain any foolish, traitorous ideas that went against Logan’s agenda. He was also to make sure that the hunters did not ruin his precious Zyra when they found her. She had to be brought back in one piece.

However, Job himself had his own private reasons for coming along_ reasons he kept buried deep inside his chest.

Logan leaned slightly toward the group, his eyes flashing with subtle warning. "I hope you have finished searching Greenwich by now." He said

The grumbling started as they explained why they had not.

"Idiots!!" Mayor spat, "Job will be in charge of this search operation."

Ocean’s mouth opened to protest but one look at Job’s towering figure and his suppressive aura made him choke back his words.

Job stepped forward to the head of the table. He didn’t offer a grand speech or demand fealty. He simply clapped his large hands together once with a sharp sound and flashed a relaxed, confident grin.

"Alright, listen up," Job said, his tone casual yet completely commanding. "It makes the most sense to start our search in Greenwich, gather whatever fresh clues are left, and then we visit the towns ahead and after this one. From there, we head into the Wild lands."

Hearing his simple, decisive plan, a collective groan echoed through the room from Sheila and Ocean, while Garon sighed collectively. They were not contended, but the man who paid them was ultimately the decision maker. Like it or not, the quarrel was over_ their search was to begin officially.

*******

It was almost 9:00 p.m when Zyra returned to the security room with a plate of fries, stir fried goat meat, and a cup of fruit juice. She stood by the doorway, shifting her weight as her gaze darted between Hunter and Achilles who was supposed to be resting.

"Are you actually going to eat, Hunter, or are you just going to stare at your beloved all night?" Zyra asked, tossing a chin toward the window.

Hunter shut his eyes briefly, exhaling a tired breath. "She is not my beloved, Zyra. Stop calling her that."

Achilles nonchalantly waved a hand, reaching for the plate with a grin. "Relax, sister-in-law. They are practically siblings_ ouch!"

Zyra slapped his hand away before he could touch a single fry from her plate. "This isn’t for you. Go get your own food."

"That is so unfair!" Achilles muttered, rubbing the back of his hand and wincing as his cheek twitched. "It’s not like I can even chew the meat anyway with this stupid, painful jaw..."

Hunter leaned over, taking a deep sniff of the steam rising from the plate. A rare, warm smile spread across his face. "Nanny cooked this, didn’t she?"

Zyra nodded, looking away. "Of course she did. Cooking isn’t my thing and this is mine."

She bit her bottom lip softly. A small question nagged at her_ were Vince and Daniel back yet? But she quickly bit her tongue. No way was she going to show concern for those rebellious idiots.

Her eyes drifted past the glass to Bianca. The girl had somehow made herself completely at home on a wide tree branch outside. She was happily crunching on snacks, peering through a pair of binoculars with a goofy, entertained grin, like she was watching a live comedy show.

"Looks like she isn’t leaving anytime soon," Zyra remarked dryly.

Achilles leaned his elbow on the security console, turning his head toward her with a pained expression. "Are you really going to leave my poor, helpless sister out there in the cold, Zyra?"

"If you’re so worried, you can go join her," Zyra replied without missing a beat.

Achilles dramatically wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "How cold! Do you know the tragedy of our lives? We are wretched orphans! She is the only family I have left in this brutal world, my precious little leaf blowing in the wind_"

Hunter let out an unceremonious snort and chuckled into his hand.

Zyra rolled her eyes. The guy’s acting was so terrible it was almost impressive.

"Cut the crap, Achilles. You’re lying through your teeth."

Achilles dropped the sad act instantly, grinning. "Fine, fine! But come on, at least do it as a thank-you! Who brought all those lovely supplies to your valley? Me! Show a little gratitude!"

"You’re benefiting from the trade just as much as I am," Zyra countered, crossing her arms. "Don’t act like you did it out of the goodness of your heart."

"Achilles let it rest; Bianca can take care of herself." Hunter said but even he was worried.

Before Achilles could launch into another theatrical defense, a crisp electronic chime echoed in her head.

[Host, Vince and Daniel have returned to the rear back entrance. They are heavily confused as they are currently staring at a rock.]

The main security monitor flared to life, automatically expanding the live feed of the back gate. Sure enough, Vince and Daniel were sitting side by side on a flat rock right outside the illusion formation. To them, the gate had vanished into thin air, leaving only an empty, silent cliff. They looked like two lost puppies waiting for someone to open a door that wasn’t there.

"Look at those two geniuses," Achilles muttered, leaning closer to the glass. "The decision is yours Zyra."

"They’re not coming in," Zyra said, shaking her head. "Idiots. Serves them right for sneaking out."

"Wait," Hunter said, his smile instantly disappearing. He straightened up, his eyes locking onto the corner of the screen. "Zyra, zoom in."

Zyra tapped the screen, magnifying the thermal sweep behind the two men.

A shadowy figure was moving fast through the dense tree line. It glided over the fallen leaves with frightening speed, closing the distance toward Vince and Daniel’s blind spot. And the two fools on the rock were still completely oblivious, arguing over who got who in trouble.

"These idiots haven’t noticed that they are being followed." Achilles whispered, his humor vanishing as his hand instinctively dropped toward his sword hilt. "Whoever followed them isn’t walking_ he’s hunting."

Zyra stared at the screen, her heart skipping a beat. she sighed dropping the plate onto the desk. "This is exactly what I was afraid of."