Kai looked at her sharply. “He didn’t really say. He just said that a sound on this island might give me an idea of who I am. If I could hear it, that is.”
“Well, as far as I can tell, the map in the book says we should head toward that line of trees there.” She pointed to her left.
Kai nodded and they headed in that direction, picking their way through the rough stones until they made it to sandier ground near a large section of unbroken rock wall, standing watch over the beach. It faded into the jungle at a certain point, giving them access to greenery overflowing out of a tropical forest. The sounds of birds, insects, and other species carried on the air.
“Is that what you’re supposed to listen for? Because I can hear the island noises, too. Does that make me special?”
“Smartass.” But he laughed, and she liked the sound of it. She liked the fact that she had been the one to make him laugh. It sent riotous tingles throughout her midsection, and she kind of hated that he had that effect on her.
“I think we need to try to get to the top of that peak so that we can make sense of the island layout.” She looked back and forth between the book and the sloping incline that lay before them. “It could take us hours to get there. Are you still with me?”
Without hesitation, he said, “Of course. Let’s go.”
She was glad she wouldn’t have to do this alone, but she couldn’t help but wonder why he stayed with her. He could leave at any time, catch a flight back to the U.S., and leave all of this far behind. Could it really be because he was trying to figure out who he was? Or was it something more sinister?
Hollyn really had trust issues.
Chapter 16
LARGE, BUSHY PLANTSmade their progress difficult as the big, flat stalks with other plants forced them to search for openings in the vegetation as they walked. If they caught one of the stalks wrong, it gave just the slightest slice on the skin. These were interspersed with a few daisy-like flowering plants and the occasional crooked tree. The smell of the ocean lingered as they increased their elevation.
After about an hour, Kai suggested they stop for a drink of the water the captain gave them. Another hour had them stopping to eat some of the dried fish the captain shared with them. They were making slow progress in the heat, but the peak was in sight. Bertie decided to fly on ahead and scout things out for them.
“Do you hear anything yet?”
He didn’t, and disappointment sat heavy in his gut. It wasn’t the idea that he wasn’t royalty of the sea or whatever that disappointed him. He had really hoped to finally get an answer. But he knew that finding the amulet was still his best bet to begin connecting the dots to his past. And sticking with Hollyn, and her map, was the best way to do that. It didn’t hurt that he actually liked being with her.
She made him smile, which he didn’t do often nowadays. An ease had settled between them, and he marveled at that, considering they’d only met two days ago. Yet, he felt like he’d known her all his life.
He especially liked the playful dynamic that had developed between them, and he bared his teeth at her teasingly and growled. “Maybe I’m a werewolf. You probably shouldn’t bait me. I might bite.”
She pushed at his chest with her hand, a broad smile on her face. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Don’t say it unless you mean it.”
She shoved at him again, but this time, he caught her hand and pulled her in until they were only an inch apart. “Oh, I mean it.” He tipped his head to the side and leaned in, pulling in her scent slowly. “You really smell good.”
