I tense, scarcely daring to believe it, but there it is again – a faint tug on an invisible tether.
My heart leaps.
Tightening my grasp on the reins, I steer my dragonfly over a rocky valley and land smoothly on a jutting ledge. I slide from its back, anticipation pounding in my chest. I’m standing on the verge of a small cliffside pool. The water isperfectly still, glittering emerald in the evening sun. Only that’s not what makes my breath catch in my throat.
Fox is facing away from me, elbows propped on the stony edge of the pool as he gazes out at the view beyond. His dark hair glistens, droplets clinging to each curling strand. I can see the muscles cording his golden, scar-flecked arms, rippling up his back. Heat spikes in my stomach when I notice he’s wearing nothing but his undershorts.
‘Are you going to stand there staring all night, or are you going to come and join me?’ Fox asks without turning round.
A blush stains my cheeks, as warm as the setting sun. ‘The Eye …’ I begin.
His tone grows hopeful. ‘Have you found it?’
‘No, but I felt it. Or at least, I think I did. Whatever it was, it led me here.’
Fox finally turns. I concentrate very hard on not letting my gaze flicker any lower than his chain. He glances down at the pool, then back up at me. ‘Here?’
I nod.
‘I don’t see anything,’ he says slowly.
To my disappointment, neither do I. The water is clear enough that I would be able to spot a glimmer of gold at the bottom. Perhaps the Eye is lodged under a rock?
I untie the rope at my waist and let it fall to the ground. ‘Turn round,’ I order.
Fox’s vaguely puzzled expression shifts. He blinks twice, then his lips curve upward.
‘And lose the grin,’ I add as I kick off my boots beside his own discarded pair. ‘I just need to make sure.’
He raises his arms in surrender and swivels back round. My mount makes a low clicking sound, then soars up to join the second dragonfly circling lazily high above.
I keep my eyes fixed on the back of Fox’s head as I undress. I decided to dress like the Singers as a mark of respect, but the truth is I feel at home in these garments. The swathe of pearly fabric is a nice change from the scratchy linen of Fox’s old shirt, even if it does lack that fresh-mint-and-pine scent I’ve grown worryingly attached to.
I step out of my clothes and wet my lips nervously as I peer down at the slip beneath, which is as thin and white as paper.
I’m simply looking for the Eye, I tell myself as I perch on the edge of the pool.As soon as I ascertain it’s not here, I’ll go.
The water is silken and cool. I let out a gasp as it licks up my stomach, then fold my arms across my chest as Fox turns to face me. The last dregs of golden sunlight glance across his face, illuminating the angular ridge of his cheekbones and the shadow of his lashes. His green eyes latch on to mine and linger. A muscle pulses in his jaw.
I duck beneath the surface before I can make the mistake of blushing twice.
As expected, the Eye isn’t in the pool. Maybe I was mistaken? What if that curious tug I felt was merely a figment of my imagination, brought on by sheer desperation?
I break the surface, breathless and disgruntled, and toss my dripping hair over my shoulder.
Fox is leaning against the edge of the pool. ‘It doesn’t matter. We’ll try again tomorrow.’
‘Except itdoesmatter, and we don’t have an infinite supply of tomorrows,’ I snap. ‘I’m beginning to wish I’d never found the Eye in the first place. Why did it call to me, anyway? Why did Syla chooseme? Is it because I’m Demari, like Senna? Or that our ancestors hailed from Thresk? Or because the Singers have decided I’m some divine saviour?’
‘Perhaps,’ Fox muses. ‘If Seera saw you coming a long time ago, maybe Syla felt … connected to you in some way.’
‘Your grandfather told me I reminded him of her,’ I say, unable to suppress a shiver.
‘Did he?’ Fox winds his gold chain round his forefinger, the Eye of the Past glinting as it catches the light. ‘I wish I could speak to him.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I can’t shake the feeling that there’s still something I’m missing. One final piece of the puzzle. But since I don’t know what I’m looking for, I can’t find it.’
