He sighed and thrust his hand in his hair, pulling it away from his forehead and leaving his fingers buried.
“I don’t know what to think.”
He looked at her again as if remembering something.
“What did the bracelet really say, India?”
She looked down, unable to meet his gaze.
“It said,Look to the north, to the great peaks of Orion. In the cradle of the moon lies the doorway. The way is broad that leads to destruction.”
He frowned. “So you made the other up?”
She shrugged. “It was necessary to make you believe the city was to the south.”
“Only I knew better.”
“How? How did you know?” she asked. “Robby said you thought north.”
He looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know how. I just did.”
“The images?” she asked softly. “Did they have anything to do with it?”
“The important thing isn’t whether or not I’ve been reincarnated,” he said sourly. “We’re talking about your lies.”
“I’m sorry.”
The words drifted heavily between them. Neither spoke once the words had been torn from her. He stared at her as if measuring her sincerity. For a brief moment, she saw hope flare in his expression, but he quickly masked it.
He looked away, massaging one hand with the other. “What do we do now, India?”
She wasn’t sure if he meant them or if he meant their journey but the safe bet was to address the journey. She wasn’t ready to give up hope forthem.
“I must travel to the city. My father is there, or at least that’s what Juan Miguel has told me.”
“I’m going with you.”
She nodded, knowing she couldn’t keep him from it now.
His head snapped around as if something had suddenly occurred to him. “How does Juan Miguel know anything about your father?”
“I was supposed to meet him in San Sebastian. He is taking me to my father.”
Ridge swore. “I assumed he was someone you hired. I let Robby go off with him.” He stood up and hurried in the direction Robby had gone.
“Ridge,” she called after him, rising from her position at the fire.
He turned back to her.
“He’s not dangerous.”
He stared at her doubtfully. “I’m supposed to believe you?”
She flinched. Would everything she said be questioned henceforth?
“He’s a guardian,” she said by way of explanation.
Ridge walked back toward her, his jaw set. “And that means?”
