Crystal Fire by Kathleen Morgan

forced to hide countless times. She hoped no one had discovered Ardane in the cave. One way or another, they'd have to head out this very nocte. To remain a moment longer would guarantee Ardane's recapture. She prayed he'd rested well this sol, regained some of his strength. He'd need it for the difficult climb through the mountains. Luckily, three of the five Bellatorian moons would be full this nocte. Their brilliance would more than adequately light the way.
    Marissa shifted the heavy pack of booty to her other shoulder. Thank the Crystal Fires she'd been able to steal as much as she had. She now possessed another water flask, journey bread, dried fruit, and more vegetables and seasonings for trail soup. And, because she knew a male would require it, a small supply of meat sticks. Ardane would be ecstatic.
    A faint odor wafted by as she neared the cave. Marissa's steps faltered. The scent came stronger, ranker. Her nose wrinkled. It reminded her of something . . .
    She crept closer. The smell was overpowering now. Marissa froze. Simian. It was the stench of a Simian!
    A quick leap and she was hidden behind an outcropping of boulders. She peered around a large stone. Had the beast seen her approach? Marissa scanned the mountainside. Where was he? The answer struck her with the force of a blow. He was in the cave with Ardane. He had to be.
    Marissa laid down her pack, her thoughts racing. There was no way of knowing how many were actually in the cave. She had smelled one Simian, of that she was certain, but what if he was accompanied by Bellatorians? How would she overpower them all?
    She scanned the cave. No sign of activity, but Marissa knew a frontal assault would be foolhardy. She considered smoking them out by setting fire to the bushes that grew in dense profusion near the cave's entrance, then discarded the idea. In Ardane's weakened state the smoke inhalation might be fatal before it drove out his captors, not to mention the possibility of the smoke drawing more skim craft to the area.
    Frustration spiraled within her. How, by all that was sacred, was she to get into that cave and take Ardane's captors unawares?
    Smoke .
    Of course. Grim determination swelled in Marissa. She'd climb in through the cave's smoke hole. From her vantage point high overhead, she could hide in the rocks and assess the situation. A dangerous ploy, but the only chance she had.
    She skirted the cave and made her way up the mountain to the vent hole, then leaned over cautiously and peered down. A ledge jutting below obscured most of her view. Marissa sat back and waited for the nocte to fall.
    As twilight settled over the land, a fire was lit within the cave. Thin curls of smoke drifted up through the large opening. She cursed silently. So much for sneaking in under the cover of darkness.
    Digging through her pack, Marissa extracted the water flask and a rag. After thoroughly wetting the cloth, she tied it over her nose and mouth. It was the best she could do to help herself breathe through the smoke. She secured her stunner in an easily accessible pocket and rechecked the dagger strapped to her thigh. Then Marissa once more leaned over the hole.
    There'd be about a two-meter drop straight down before she reached the ledge that jutted over the cave. From there she could make it all the way down. The climb looked precarious, but there was indeed a chanceif she was quiet and very careful. And at least this climb wasn't as high as the one from Ardane's prison had been.
    Marissa scanned the scene below for one last time. She caught a glimpse of the tall, hulking form of a Simian as he glided by. Her gaze followed until he disappeared from view. Hopefully, he was the only one she'd have to deal with. She eased her way off the edge. For a heart-stopping moment, Marissa dangled over the cave.
    Smoke stung her eyes and she clenched them shut an instant before she released her grip. Marissa fell for what seemed an eternity. At the last moment she