I startle and glance down at the palmful of dirt cupped in my hand. That’s what the sand reminds me of—Ximena’s moondust.
“You see the similarities too?” Chaska asks, catching the look of sudden understanding on my face.
I nod. “It doesn’t feel like moondust, though. The dust is normally softer.”
Chaska doesn’t comment, merely studies me thoughtfully—her head tilted to the side, the lines across her brow deepening.
“What happened?” I ask. “What killed these trees?”
I think about that odd silver flower, the one that had taken root. Is it possible that the Illari haven’t seen it? In this part of the forest, it’d be impossible to pinpoint the source. But the section Manuel and I saw was small—surrounding that one plant. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell Chaska, but something holds me back. There might be a better use for the information.
“A very good question, traveler. I don’t know the answer, but whatever caused this, it’s not of the jungle. It came here like you did. An invader.”
“I’m not aninvader,” I say. “I’m a visitor. I’m here because I need help.”
“Your people are conquerors. Destroyers of culture and traditions. Murderers and thieves.”
I flush. “The Llacsans are your enemy. Not us.”
She lifts her chin, dark gaze flashing like sudden streaks of lightning against a black night. “We are never happy with war.”
It’s not as if I am either. “I understand,” I say.
“When did this part of the jungle change?” Manuel asks. His tone is coaxing and soft.
But Chaska is unfazed and impossible to charm. She points a finger at me. “It started right beforeherarrival.” She turns away and walks off in a huff as my mouth drops to the jungle floor
Manuel’s lips tighten. “I don’t like this.”
“She’s abrupt, but I don’t think she’ll hurt us.”
“I’m not so sure,” he says in a hushed voice. “They’re hiding something. I can feel it.”
I shiver—from fear or the chilly night, I don’t know. I walk up to Manuel and slide my arms around his waist. He slowly wraps both arms around me, and I smile against his chest. I’ll never get used to this—Manuel without his armor, thinning the wall he’s built.
His deep voice makes his chest rumble against my cheek. “You asked me what I fear.”
I pull away far enough so that I can look up into his face.
“I’m afraid of the day when you’ll need me, and I won’t be there.”
“Why won’t you be there?”
“Because I don’t know what’s waiting for us in that city.”
A shiver tears through my body. He lets me hold on to him as tightly as I need. The thought of neither of us walking back out of Paititi makes my heart thump painfully against my ribs. Manuel watches me silently, and after a long moment his gaze drops to my mouth. He pulls me closer. I reach up and curl my hand around the back of his neck. I forget about where we are and who we’re with.
“Why do all of my terrible decisions involve you?” he whispers.
I grin as he dips his head.
“Travelers,” Chaska calls from several feet away. “We must go.”
Manuel freezes, a hairsbreadth away from my lips. “Damn it.”
I open my mouth to tell her to wait justone minute, but Manuel covers my lips with his hand. “Not a good idea.”
“How did you know what I was going to say?” I ask after I step away.
