“They’re South American, so no. But I can’t promise there won’t be crocodiles.”
Something must have shown in her expression because he chuckled. “I’m kidding. No crocodiles.”
“Then lead the way.”
Chapter 28
Kane took her hand as he led her down the track from the cave.
When she’d been growing up, Sam was the only person who had ever shown her any physical affection. The only person who ever touched her, apart from medical staff. Certainly, the colonel had never given her or Sam a hug. Maybe from the start, he had known that he might, at some point, have to sacrifice one or the other of them and hadn’t felt hugging was appropriate under those circumstances.
By all accounts—or at least according to Christa—he had been a good father. Christa, however, wasn’t his biological child. She’dbeen one of the rejects from the genetic trials. She had two human parents with added DNA from one of the original tribe. But it had failed to take—or so they thought—and she’d been rejected from the program. In fact, she had the four toes of the Kindred, and she was also very empathic. Anyway—whatever. No doubt the colonel had given her plenty of hugs.
So Kaitlin had grown up not expecting physical contact and now she was finding it a little weird. Not unpleasant, just...weird.
“Are you all right?” Kane asked.
“Why?”
“You’re frowning.”
“I was just thinking that I’ve never really held hands with anyone before you.”
He grinned. “Neither have I—we’re clearly two of a kind. But I can’t help feeling that if I let you go, you might make a run for it.”
“I’m done running. For a little while anyway.”
“Good. I think I’ll keep hold of you anyway. Just in case. Besides, I quite like holding hands.”
“Me too.” She glanced around her. They were on a narrow trail leading through dense jungle. “Is this safe? I mean, are there wild animals?”
“Yes. But don’t worry, we have a bodyguard.”
“We do?” She glanced around, half-expecting to see one of the Kindred following them, armed with a weapon and ready to shoot. But she couldn’t see or hear anyone.
“There.” Kane waved a hand into the thick bush to the left of the trail. At first, she couldn’t see anything. Then she made out the form of an enormous black cat, weaving through the shadows, his huge pads making no sound on the forest floor. He appeared part shadow himself, then he turned his head and stared at her through yellow eyes. A shiver ran through her.
“I don’t think he likes me,” she murmured.
“He’s jealous because we’re holding hands.”
“I hope he doesn’t feel the need to get rid of the competition.”
“So do I.” He was silent for a moment. “He’s good. I’ve told him you’re a friend.”
“You can really talk to him?”
“Sort of. It’s not like I can talk to you and the others—it’s more thoughts and feelings and pictures. But he usually understands what I’m communicating.”
“Cool.” Something occurred to her. “Did Janelle talk to you about the Foci thing?”
“She mentioned it. But I don’t know anything more than she does. Less, actually—I’d never even heard of the term. Leila might know something, but if not, I’ll set up a call with my mother, and we’ll find out everything we can.”
“Thank you.”
She could hear a sound now—running water. Up ahead, the trail widened onto an open area with a pool surrounded by smooth boulders. At the far side of the clearing, water tumbled down a sheer rock face. The pool looked cool and inviting, with a pale sandy beach. She searched the water for any sign of movement that might indicate something lurking beneath the surface but saw nothing.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
