Free Princess in Peril by Rachelle McCalla

gown. “Sorryfor the excursion. Nothing appeared to be obviously amiss at the station, but I didn’t recognize either of the men stationed there, and a still, small voice told me to get out of there. I’ve learned to listen when God talks to me.”
    “I appreciate that.” Levi hopped out of the truck and looked back up the rutted path Dom had driven them down, which ran parallel to the Mursia River. He could justsee the swirling waters beyond them in the moonlight. “Do you think anyone followed us?”
    Dom blinked into the darkness. “If they did, they’re awfully good at avoiding detection.” He shivered visibly. “But I don’t have a very good feeling about this. We need to hurry.”
    “May I please change clothes first?” the princess asked.
    Dom agreed that Isabelle should find some clothes among the bags inthe truck. He made sure she had a flashlight andthen closed the door for privacy. Then he walked toward the river with Levi and spoke in a low voice. “Levi Grenaldo.” He looked him in the eye. “I knew your father. We served together in this area years ago. He’s a good man.”
    “Thank you.” Levi cringed just a little at the comparison. His father’s shoes would be difficult to fill, but he was determinedto do his best.
    Dom continued. “Because I trusted him, I will trust you. I honestly don’t know how you’re going to get Isabelle to the United States, but I will give you the best head start I can.”
    The ominous assessment did little to bolster Levi’s courage. “I appreciate that.”
    “On the other side of the river there is a woodpile. Hidden in the middle, under quite a bit of wood and a tarp,is a motorcycle.”
    “Has it been started recently?” Given the age of the man he was speaking to, Levi feared the bike might be reduced to a pile of rust.
    “Every couple of weeks, at least, the owner of the property on the other side gives the bike a go and makes sure it’s filled with gas. But it belongs to Sanctuary, and I can’t tell you how many refugees have traveled through this area on thatbike.”
    “Where should I leave it when I’m done?”
    “Park it at the airport. Someone will come along for it soon.” Dom startled at a noise just downriver from them.
    Levi spun around, pulling out his weapon.
    “A raven.” He lowered his gun as the bird took flight over the river.
    “Ravens aren’t active at night.” Dom looked about warily. “Something startled that bird. You two had best get moving.”
    Levi rushed to the truck and knocked before opening the door. Isabelle had changed into a sloppy pair of oversize jeanswith a bulky hooded sweatshirt. She looked less princesslike already. “We need to get moving.”
    “I can’t find any shoes.”
    “Wear the ones you had on.” Levi’s sense of foreboding grew, and the hairs raised at the back of his neck as he listened to the vast darkness. “We need tohurry.”
    Isabelle slipped on the heeled leather pumps and clambered across the bags. She leaned toward him, and Levi caught her around the waist as she jumped down from the back of the truck. Too late he realized he wasn’t prepared for such close contact with the princess. As she landed against him, she looked up and caught his eyes for just a moment.
    His heart gave a lurch at the hopeful expressionon her face. Did she really think he could get her to safety?
    Could he?
    She took a step back and he turned away. Too much still needed his attention. Joining Dom near the bank, Levi realized the older man held a crossbow.
    “Perhaps you should shoot this.” Dom held the heavy weapon toward Levi. “My eyesight isn’t so good anymore, and you’ll only get one chance to make a solid shot.”
    “What areyou doing with that thing?” Isabelle asked as Levi took the cumbersome crossbow from Dom.
    “There’s a zip line attached to the bolt,” Dom explained. “That’s how you’re going to get across the river.”
    Before Isabelle could react to Dom’s explanation,