Fading {Book Two of The Descendants series}

Chapter Twenty-Five

Riley walked briskly through the clearing, but did not run. Danielle was close behind him. He looked this way and that to make sure they weren't being followed.

He nodded to Danielle and they both ran the rest of the way across the clearing. They didn't make it far into the forest before someone dropped down behind them. Riley turned quickly only to feel the earth rumble beneath him. Danielle fell over and Riley jumped in front of her. A second person dropped next to the first. They both had jet black hair.

"Oh it's you," Riley said relaxing.

"Seriously?" Noah growled.

"I even made the earth shake," Cole threw up his hands. "But back to the main point. What are you doing on our property. Are you that stupid?"

"That would be sad if I was," Riley rolled his eyes. Danielle was standing off to the side. She more than a little scared and was surprised at how much her husband had changed. She also thought the older man looked familiar though the younger one looked like someone she had known in the past. That was most definitely the one man's son. That she could tell. "Zane sent us."

"Zane!" Cole shouted.

"Where!?" Noah demanded.

"Ah ah ah," Riley clicked his tongue. "How do I know you won't just leave us if I tell you now?"

"Huh?" Noah looked confused.

"We don't work like that," Cole crossed his arms. "But we would like to make sure Zane actually sent you."

"He thought ahead on that part," Danielle spoke up for the first time. Cole turned and looked at her. He looked surprised.

"Dan?" Cole asked suddenly.

"I'm so confused," Noah facepalmed.

"You know her?" Riley asked. "Oh isn't that just brilliant. It's like something out of a story book."

Cole and Noah blinked at him. Danielle shrugged and Riley sighed.

"Okay, so how exactly do you know my wife?" Riley asked in exasperation.

"She was one of my high school-uh-dance partners. She learned under my dad," Cole replied. "Mr. Brookstone."

"Okay, I vaguely remember that name being mentioned," Riley growled.

"It does sound like something out of a story doesn't it," Noah rolled his eyes. "Figures."

"So are you going to take me captive or not," Riley stuck out his hands and looked at them like they were stupid.

"With that attitude," Cole glared at him. "Yes."

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"And you know Danielle?" Ronin asked him incredulously.

"We were highschool sweet-uh-dance partners," Danielle explained quietly. She changed the subject quickly. "It's good to see you again Ronin."

Ronin's face softened and he embraced her. He had thought his sister-in-law was dead after all. Riley snorted with displeasure but said nothing. Riley had not acknowledged Ronin since he had entered the room.