Ellirey Island
Seichan stood guard by a window. She kept out of direct sight, fearful of the telescopic scopes on the enemies' rifles. Their adversaries had the look of mercenary soldiers, definitely military trained. The eight men had set up a perimeter across the front of the lodge, staying sheltered behind rocky outcroppings. She guessed they were awaiting orders as their superiors tried to identify the newcomers to the island. Someone must be trying to decide whether to kill or capture them.
Not that Gray's team had much say in the matter.
She clutched a pistol in both hands, holding the weapon at her knees, ready to shatter the window and defend their base. But she was under no illusions. They were outmanned, outgunned, and outpositioned. With the cadre of soldiers guarding the front of the lodge, the only safe exit was out the back. Then what? They would be exposed if they made a run for the cliff's edge. Even if they reached it, all that would earn them was a swift death on the rocks below the cliffs.
They were trapped.
Gray took up a position on the far side of the door by another window. He clutched a black SIG Sauer in one hand and held a cell phone to his ear in the other. He had managed to reach Sigma command, but the island was too remote for an immediate rescue. They were on their own until help arrived. Seichan could feel acid burning in her stomach, not so much at their predicament, but at Gray's reaction a moment ago when he'd realized they'd been ambushed. She had seen the flash of suspicion. He tried his best to quell it, to damp it down, but it had still been there.
She stared out the window. What did she have to do to prove herself to him? Dying might do it. Then again, maybe not.
She heard Monk talking in low whispers to the caretaker. He'd used smelling salts to revive the man enough to get him on his feet. Once free of the chair, the tough old codger rallied. Swearing a litany that came close to making her blush, he pulled a shotgun down from above the fireplace, ready to exact some revenge.
Gray's voice grew sharper as he spoke on the phone to Sigma command. "Forty minutes? That's how long we have to get clear of the island?"
Frowning, she stared out the window. What was that about? Any answer would have to wait. She watched the soldiers begin to move, shifting out of hiding. They must have received their orders. Whatever fate awaited them-capture or death-it had been decided.
Seichan lifted her pistol. "Here they come!"