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were numbered…and he liked making sure the boy knew it.
    Rab didn’t say anything else, but he understood Corbin was scared of the quest he’d allowed to start. The Legends of Safe Haven and Adrian’s return had been smothered and twisted, but the heart of it couldn’t be changed. The woman would find Adrian, and then Adrian would come - but, not just for the Corbin. The Legends insisted Adrian would exterminate the very reason for the War. Surely that meant all of the surviving government? Those in charge were terrified of it, so much so that they’d put a bounty on Adrian’s head that rivaled any in history. Assassins of all sorts would flood this land upon the Guardian’s return.
    It was a thought that had Rab ignoring the stench of charring flesh as they drove by the flaming tent. When Adrian came home, he and all the others being held would be set free.
    Knowing Alexa’s quest had truly begun sent hope deep into Rab’s heart. A second chance, no matter who you were or what you’d done…

Three

     
    1
    Long before a cold dawn, Alexa and Edward were enjoying the warmth left from breakfast embers. As they shared a rolled smoke, she told him of their first adventure together. After the snakes, she’d felt it wise to let him sleep before explaining the newest danger to be faced.
    “I have rats on my trail.”
    Edward nodded easily, ignoring his sore places. They were minor twinges that he could function with. “I assumed so.”
    “They’ll hunt in every place we go, follow me relentlessly...”
    He heard the tone. “Unless?”
    “Unless they are distracted. We must not let them keep us from the quest.”
    She unfolded a battered map of the surrounding area. “We head here.”
    Edward’s eyes narrowed onto the spot she’d pointed out. It was granite-mountain terrain. He shrugged. “I go where you go.”
    Satisfied, Alexa shook her head at the dregs, letting him enjoy it. “Are you set for two days of straight travel?”
    “Four times as much.” He opened his mouth again, to question how it would work, but Alexa’s words stopped him.
    “We have no need for that. Everything is shared.”
    Edward relaxed, went back to his coffee and smoke. They’d spent a calm night, and after seeing her in action, he wasn’t dreading the mountains. She would lead and he would follow.
    It was odd, however, to be topside with the dawn - for both of them. There was silence as they watched the dark green sky begin to lighten. This new world was full of things Edward had little understanding of. Safety, what little there was to be had, came from staying in the light, and it was something he was already sure Alexa wouldn’t do.
    Edward looked toward his new companion as he had the thought, wondering if her strengths included such things. Did this hard woman know how to handle that darkness? They’d camped around a small fire at the base of the cliff, and she hadn’t stood a watch or slept lightly. He’d been up before her, as well. Did those things matter? Edward sensed a toughness and ability to deal with whatever came, but if she was careless…
    “Speak your mind.”
    Drawing in a breath, Edward did just that. “We should have a guard when we camp… and use cover for our fire.”
    “Do you think so?”
    Her curt words made him look up to see her almost mocking expression. She already knew those things. He flushed at his own arrogance.
    “I felt no need to guard what could only be had if the snakes were conquered first. The screams and gunfire would have warned us.”
    It was a simple answer, and his cheeks darkened further.
    “You are not wrong to question,” Alexa conceded evenly, rising to her feet. “In your place, I would do the same.”
    Edward hurried to kick sand over the coals and catch up. He wouldn’t again, though. One disdainful glance from those eyes had already been lesson enough. She was leader on this quest. Time would prove it.
     
     
    2
    They traveled for the next two days, finally