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They’ll grind them up and sell the powder as an aphrodisiac. And they use the eyes as a supposed remedy for cancer. Or maybe they’ll sell the whole thing, mounted, to a lodge somewhere. There’re lots of ways to make money.”
    “Eli.” She was staring straight ahead. One of the hunters had glanced their way, then abruptly stopped, as if he had spotted them.
    Eli looked his way too. “Time to go, Bryn. Remember theirfaces.” Together they scrambled backward and rushed down the rocks below them. The sharp shale bit into Bryn’s hands, and she winced as she was cut. If it hadn’t been for her tough jeans, her legs would’ve been a mess too. They were nearing the bottom when a low voice yelled, “Hey! Stop!”
    “Run, Bryn,” Eli said. “We have to get to the trees. We’ll hide there.”
    A shot rang out, and the rocks split five feet to Bryn’s left. She froze, hands up.
    “Keep moving,” Eli demanded, taking her hand and yanking her forward. “That was just a warning. We won’t get another.”
    She could hear the men running behind them, grunting and swearing. Slipping and sliding over the loose rocks as they had. The ground leveled out a bit, and Bryn welcomed the cool shade of the forest. They ducked low branches and dodged trees, sometimes side by side, holding hands, other times with Eli in front, breaking trail for her. He turned a sharp corner and rushed down a steep hillside. Behind her, Bryn could hear the men talking quietly. Eli disappeared in the foliage, and Bryn’s heart leapt up to her throat.
    She glanced around frantically. “Eli? Eli!” she called in a stage whisper. A strong hand grabbed her forearm and yanked her roughly to the ground. He covered her mouth with his other hand, preventing her from screaming, and pulled her deeper beneath the underbrush next to a decomposing log. “We can’t outrun them,” he whispered. “Hopefully, they’ll think we went down this steep bank and give up on us.”
    They panted for air, trying to be quiet, hoping to gain control before their pursuers caught them. Five feet to their right, they heard branches breaking and the heavy breathing of the pursuing men.
They’re right on top of us
. Bryn pulled herself in a little more, as if she could shrink to the size of the log and disappear, and squeezed her eyes shut. Her ears pounded with her pulse, as if they could hear every last sound in the forest.
    “Better a fine than a manslaughter charge,” the taller of the two said to his companion.
    “You’re the idiot who cracked a shot at them. And Dall’s fines are up to five hundred.”
    “It’s my plane the feds would come after. I’d lose my license. Ah, they were just a couple of kids. Hikers. We scared them. By the time they get to a radio, we’re outta here.”
    The other man kept panting, obviously thinking as he looked down the hillside. “By their tracks, it looks like they ran down this bank. We could check it out.”
    “And what are you going to do if you catch them?”
    He didn’t answer, obviously hadn’t an answer. “Let’s go,” he finally said. They turned and made their way back through the forest. The cracking of branches and cones beneath their feet faded into the distance.
    “I think they’re gone,” Eli whispered into her ear, his arms still around her. Bryn slumped in relief, realizing she had tensed up from skull to heel. Then she turned and gave him a long hug.
    “That was scary,” she whispered.
    “I’m sorry, Bryn. I never should’ve taken you up there.”
    “Hey, it was me who pushed it. No apology needed.” His face was a mere two inches from hers, and after the rush of adrenaline, the relief of escape, she felt a magnetic attraction to Eli. He was so handsome, and he had her in his arms. She tipped up her chin, inviting him to kiss her.
    Desire rushed through his eyes, and he leaned forward, his breath hot on her face, as if he intended to answer that call. But with a rueful smile, he pulled away