Evan stuck his tongue out, making a face as he translated for White.

"Great-grandpa and Great-grandma aren't here, but all their stuff still is."

"Every cabin's got someone on guard. Every place to stay is already taken."

"The storage shed is packed with all kinds of animal pelts and meat. And... there are over a dozen dead black storks."

Elysia's brows shot up in alarm. Black storks-those were on the endangered species list!

They were called the "pandas of the bird world" because they were so rare. And these people had killed more than ten?

Were these poachers?

But her grandparents had lived in these mountains for years, treating the animals as friends. How could they possibly allow people to kill so many protected animals?

Wait. Maybe they hadn't allowed it—but what could they do?

There were so many intruders, all of them armed. What could her grandparents possibly do against them?

Elysia's worry deepened, both for her grandparents and for the animals that had suffered.

"White says that when these people arrived, Great-grandpa and Great-grandma had already left," Evan said suddenly.

Elysia blinked in surprise. "They left? What do you mean?"

"They went out. Left the place."

"Where did they go?"

White heard that they left yesterday

a little bit of

hadn't

"I'll ask White

be easier for them to get info. After sending White off with

shouldn't we get someone over here and ask a few more questions?" Tarquin nodded he had the same

the cabin

while before someone strode over, scowling. "What do

slid a watch through the crack of

secondhand and get

the watch, checked it

terms, calm as

had the watch, but he wasn't about to open the

surprised. His tone was mild,

I'm loaded. I've got plenty more valuables on me. If you don't want to trade water for

threatened. He hissed, "Try yelling, and I swear I'll shoot you all right

raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Will you? Your boss said

a deep breath, looking ready to shout. The guard lunged to stop him,

His tone was harsh.

water, but if you're lying about the money, I'll break

said nothing,

guard hurried away

he slipped inside

the door

him-obviously, he didn't want

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