42 DAYS UNTIL THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX, LATE MORNING
Merde.
Skye’s think-first, panic-never mode was in full effect. As much as I hated to admit it, her decisions were never impulsive, even though they looked that way on the surface. She was cerebral, almost to a fault. But she tended to ignore dangers right in front of her face, or rationalize them away.
Like now.
A trip through the meadow?
Suicide.
The image I’d seen at the ruins flashed through my head. Skye lying on black rock, eyes closed forever, claimed by the darkness. Nil wanted her dead.
How could she not see it?
Skye was already walking away, toward where Paulo stood beside Thad. The two talked in low tones that Skye obliterated without introduction.
“Paulo. I have a question. Do you know of a cave or cavern on the far side of the island? Like if I drew a line from the Looking Glass Cavern across the island, what would I hit?”
“Other than the meadow?” Paulo thought for a moment. “Nothing.”
“Are you sure?” Skye lifted her chin but I felt her rush of disappointment.
“Positive. As far as I know, there’s nothing on that side of the island but the platform. And the mountain, of course.”
Skye fell silent.
Skye turned to me, her eyes full of determination. I knew that look. It said I may as well start packing.
“Rives, I have to go,” she said, her tone adamant. “To rule it out. Just because Paulo doesn’t know of it or we haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it’s not there.” She paused. “And we actually don’t need to go direct. We can skirt the base of the mountain and drop down below the platform to the coast, rather than going through the meadow.” She cocked her head at me. “Deal?”
“Deal.” As in package. As in two for one. As in if you’re going to risk your life, I’m going to be right there with you.
She smiled as she rolled her eyes. “No need to be so melodramatic. It’s just another hike. No big deal.”
“Right. I’ll be sure to file away the wolves and the tigers and the hyenas in the no big deal column of Nil.” I shot her a pointed look.
“I will come and feed the tigers,” Dominic said soberly.
“You want to be a tiger treat?” Zane looked confounded.
“I am not the treat, but the fish I catch are. I toss fish into the meadow to keep the big cats happy. So far, so good.” Dominic smiled.
“So crazy,” Thad murmured.
“Amen, brother,” Zane agreed, his eyes wide on Dominic.
Thad turned to Skye. His gaze was wary. “So when do we leave?”
“Tomorrow.” Skye spoke the word with finality. “We leave at dawn. We only have six weeks until the equinox gate and we don’t have a minute to waste.” She glanced around. “Has anyone seen Lana?”
Paulo pointed up the beach, toward the trees. Skye strode off, her steps full of purpose.
“Scary Pam,” Zane mumbled.
Paulo watched Skye go, his arms crossed, lips closed tight. Normally calm, he looked worried. No, I corrected myself. He looked disturbed.
“What’s running through your head, Paulo?” I asked. “And does it have to do with Skye, or Lana?”
“Both.” He sighed. “I don’t think this trip will be as easy as Skye thinks. It’s one thing to travel the island for clues; it’s another to go to the mountain—the heart of the island.” He shook his head. “The island didn’t like that we tried to leave as a group last time, that we tried to cut off its lifeline. I know that in my soul, just as I know noon is close. And while the animals have left us alone in the City lately, Nil’s paying full attention. Maybe it’s trying to lull us into complacency; I don’t know. But I don’t think that equinox departure will be smooth, or this trip. And if this trip is easy, that worries me even more.” His voice grew quiet. “I worry the island is biding its time.”
Damn, I thought. Paulo had a solid point. Every move Nil made here was calculated. Point, counterpoint. Pawn, king. It had been quiet in the City, too quiet.
What the hell was Nil up to?
“Whoa,” Zane said. He’d paled under his tan. “Talk about a downer. Not exactly the pre-trip pep talk, dude. I’m thinking you could cross motivational speaker off your career list. No offense,” he added hastily.
“None taken.” Paulo grinned but his eyes remained troubled. “Go team. Better?”
“Totally. I really felt that, here.” Zane thumped his chest.
Paulo laughed, then looked away toward Carmen. His grin vanished.
And then the breeze stilled.