Dangerous Allies (The Forgotten Five, Book 4)

A Huge Decision

The stench of my father is still permeating my nasal membranes," said Tenner Cordoba. By now he'd moved out of his hiding spot under the dining table and onto the couch and could actually form words. But that morning's shocking one-two punch of The Librarian's betrayal followed by the surprise arrival of Troy Cordoba on their doorstep, wanting to join their team, had taken a toll. Troy as one of the good guys? It seemed like a terrible idea to Tenner.

Luckily the man hadn't caught sight of any of the forgotten five or Elena Golden and had gone with Amanthi, the abbess of the Monasterio de Piedra, to her office to wait for their decision. But Troy's scent lingered and was easily identifiable to a super-sensory person like Tenner.

"Troy is way too close for comfort with that ankle tracker he's wearing," Elena said worriedly. "I wish he'd leave the property until we decide what to do about him."

"But then he'd be completely vulnerable," said Lada, appalled. "Fuerte's guards or the police would get him. They've got to be tracking him by now."

"So what?" Tenner said. His shoulders curled inward. He drew his legs up onto the couch and gripped them around the shins, as if they could shield his heart from any more incoming damage. He eyed Lada warily. His new favorite person, the girl he almost maybe like liked, seemed extremely concerned about Troy's well-being and not at all concerned about Tenner's.

"Nobody knows we live here, though," Brix reminded them. The ten-year-old squinched up his face thoughtfully and swept his golden-brown bangs to one side, out of his eyes. "But if they get inside the monastery walls looking for Troy, they could spot us if we leave our cottage."

Cabot's brow furrowed as she researched something on her phone. Then she looked up. "Troy is here at the monastery asking for sanctuary, and Amanthi told us from the beginning that she and the other monks will protect anyone in need-it's their way." She

Lisa McMann