Ashrika
THREE MONTHS LATERand one week later...
Cleaning up the cake plates, glasses, and cutlery, I glanced over at Trent. He stood outside Enigma on the deck overlooking the port with Nicky and Neha. They were attempting to fly the kites I’d brought from a recent trip to India.
I’d come up with this idea to visit one country every month to learn new ways and cultures to build on my ever-growing bank of memories. Trent and I had drawn up a schedule that included places we could do together as a couple, a family, and me alone. I had no idea why I decided to start the whole plan with India, perhaps because it was because of heritage. Whatever it was, it had heightened my adventurous streak and I couldn’t wait for the next visit.
We’d just celebrated my real birthday, my first since waking from the coma. We’d never known my actual birthday and Zayne had made me pick a random date I liked, and we’d celebrate it as my birthday. Laughing at the memory, I stacked the last of the dishes in Leah’s hands and headed for the bathroom.
“Can I go in alone? Please. I won’t be long.”
I frowned as I came upon a beautiful dark-haired woman around my age begging a burly guy to let her use the bathroom alone. “Excuse me,” I tapped his shoulder. “Can you read the sign? It says, ladies. And you don’t look like a lady to me, mister.”
“Move along, lady, this here got nothing to do with you.” He turned away to push the woman into the bathroom.
“The fact that you’re standing in my restaurant, makes it my business. So I’ll ask nicely. Step aside and let the lady do her lady business or I’ll be forced to kick you out on your ass.” Jesus, was that me? When had I become this fearless? I held back my chuckle.
“You and which army?” he sneered, turning away.
“Ever heard the one called Help! Rape!” I matched his sneer.
He faced me again and I caught the distinct flare of his eyes as he looked over my shoulder. “Fine. Ladies it is.” He took a step back, hands up, palms out in apology. “I’ll wait here for you,” he said to the woman.
Frowning, I glanced over my shoulder. There was no one there. I could, however, have sworn the sudden sense of being watched floated over me. I did a full three-sixty and came up empty. The bathrooms were designed such that you had to walk out of the dining area into a glass-encased structure. It overlooked a portion of the harbor and the open water.
Ignoring the feeling, I pressed my thighs together to hold in my pee with a little chuckle and entered the bathroom. Done, I exited the stall to find the other woman washing her hand.
Our gazes met in the mirror and a tentative smile hovered around her lips. “Can I ask you a favor?” she whispered.
At my nod, she leaned closer. I sensed her fear even before she spoke. Without meaning to, I scanned her face and what little I could see of her body beneath a mid-thigh summer dress, for signs of trauma. There was none apart from the haunting look in her eyes. “Would you please give someone a message for me?”
“Are you okay, honey?”
“Shh, I don’t have time, that man will barge in here if I’m not quick.”
“Sure. Tell me.”
“Tell Rayden,where the mountain meets the seas and trees bloom orange against the night, he might find me there. Once.”
I frowned at the cryptic message and before I could ask her for more, she was gone. Giving no thoughts to my action, I raced out the bathroom, searching for her. Quickly scanning the restaurant, I cursed when I didn’t see her. My legs on speed, I ran out into the parking in time to see her being helped into the back seat of a black SUV. Breathing hard, I barely took two steps before the vehicle sped off within seconds of her burly companion jumping into the passenger seat.
“Ash?” Turning, I waited as Trent neared me. “What’s wrong, sweetheart, you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Tension immediately gripped the frown lines in his face.
Raking a hand through my open hair, I shook my head. “Would you find it odd that I was given a cryptic message for your cousin?”
“Rayden?”
I nodded and quickly relayed what transpired since arriving at the bathroom.
He paled. “Zena!” Cursing, he searched for his phone. “Come on.” He grabbed my hand and hurried back into the restaurant.
