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He heard Jade gasp as she stood in the doorway to the hall. She’d changed from his shirt to a nightgown and robe, tied around her waist. She’d re
moved his ring, apparently not wanting to bring its presence to Morgan’s attention.
“Come over here,” Darien said to her.
She joined them at the table. “Morgan.”
“Hello, Jade. My apologies for the early hour.”
“It’s fine. Can I listen to what you’ve learned?”
The general deferred to Darien, who said, “Of course.” He clasped her hand and pulled her into his lap, so she had a good view of the map they still studied.
Morgan continued. “The marauding demons took all the supplies from the villages they attacked. They had horses and wagons, and yet…they’ve disappeared.”
“Into the mountains?” Darien asked.
“That was the first assumption. But navigating that range with wagons… It’d be slow going if it was even possible. The patrols would have caught up to them. Instead, they’ve lost the tracks and it seems as though the demons simply vanished.”
“That’s not feasible if they’re not all wraiths. The ghosts have the ability to become invisible, along with their clothes and swords. Their steeds, even. But none of the other demons in the army would be capable of this.”
“If they shared horses, it would be conceivable. But they can’t stay in that state for long with the other demons in tow.”
“You said they were in Arkansas?” Jade asked in a quiet voice.
Darien could feel the chill run through her, likely over the prospect of more villages being destroyed and more lives lost.
Morgan nodded.
She said, “The Ozarks have underground caverns. Some of them are enormous, with rivers running through them or lakes. Centuries ago, Indian tribes and even refugees from the Civil War would temporarily reside in them, making it difficult for anyone to find them.”
Darien and Morgan exchanged looks over her head.
“That would certainly explain why the tracks abruptly end,” Morgan suggested.
“There were large outlets so wagons could make their way into the caves,” Jade told them. “I’ve read about them in Lisette’s geography books.”
“But the openings must be difficult to spot,” Morgan mused.
“They could be covered with brush and foliage,” Darien surmised.
“You’d have to look close enough at the right location to know it’s camouflage,” the general said.
“Send a patrol from our region to join the others. Three hundred, Morgan. I want them found before they strike again.”
“That might not be possible, considering the distance between us and them.”
“Then ride hard.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Darien’s mind whirled as Morgan stood and collected his map. As his general strode toward the door, Darien called out, “Wait.”
He gently patted Jade on the behind and she stood.
To Morgan, he said, “I’m going with you.”
Jade gaped.
