Page 24 of Greed of Giants

A quizzical expression sat on her face as she approached, her gaze lingering on me before shifting to Harlan. But the question was for me.

Jasper bounded out of the water, barking and spraying salty water and sand.

Harlan stood and held out some fish. “Breakfast?”

11

Ilaris

When I woke, the hut was clean. No sign of the decadence of last night. All evidence of Killian gone as though he’d never been there at all. Except the door was cracked open, letting in the morning light and the warm, salty scent of the beach. But a packed bag sat on the table. Curious, I opened it and found almost all the food in the hut had been placed neatly inside: salted fish, vegetables, dried pork, kindling, and water pouches. He’d been thorough, which meant he was serious about leaving together. So why wasn’t he here?

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I opened the door wide, and deep voices drew me up short. My chest went tight, and a memory of thatthud thud thudrang in my ears, sending shudders up the marrow of my being. It only reinforced my desire to get off the island as soon as possible.

I stepped outside, and a quick glance at the beach left me reeling.

Killian and Harlan sat around a fire, talking animatedlyas though they’d known each other for years. Jasper dashed past me, a blur of black, headed toward the crash and hiss of the surf.

An emotion moved through me. Hot and unwelcome. A wave of possessiveness sharp as a pointed blade. Was I jealous that they were enjoying each other’s company? I had found Killian. He wasmydiscovery. A stab of fear went through me. What would happen when others found out about him?

I hadn’t considered what the world might want with the last giant. My feet moved faster, slowing only when I reached soft sand. My voice came out hurried and breathy. “I didn’t know you knew each other,” I called, interrupting.

Both of them looked at me, but my gaze went to Killian. Those gold eyes seemed to hold me in place, and a fevered flush heated my skin as I remembered the kiss. Not exactly a kiss, more a brush of my lips against his, and that zing that had shuddered through me. He’d rejected it—not pushed me away, he simply hadn’t moved toward me—and I felt that distance now. He was no longer my own, my discovery. The world would see him, and I’d be left behind. Clawing for notoriety as I always had. Could he read that in my expression? Did he know what I feared to say, refused to utter aloud?

“We just met,” Killian said. “Harlan agreed to take us north, only as far as he can go in a day.”

“Only if you’re ready,” Harlan added. “You came to see the ruins. I will escort you there first and answer all your questions.”

I glanced over my shoulder, as though the things behind that door had escaped and were hurtling towardthe shore. But there was nothing out there, just palm trees waving in the breeze and the gentle quiet of the island.

“I saw enough yesterday,” I said. “I’m ready. We can go now.”

Killian stood, his height impressive. “I left the provisions in the hut.”

He strode away, still shirtless, the muscles on his back shifting as he moved. Today the fire wasn’t pulsing under his skin, but he still needed clothes to make him less conspicuous.

“Eat,” Harlan interrupted, handing me a leaf with fish and bread on it.

I let my bag slide off my shoulder and settled down on the rock Killian had vacated.

Harlan leaned forward, voice dropping. “Do you know him? Where did he come from?”

Here was the moment of truth, but I struggled with what to say, even though Harlan’s concern seemed fatherly. “He hasn’t bothered me, if that’s what you’re asking. He’s. . . searching for something.”

Harlan cleared his throat. “He reminds me of a nomad. We get them here from time to time, traveling to hidden places in the world, seeking treasure, mischief. I wanted to be sure he wasn’t bothering you, but I’m surprised you want to leave so quickly. Yesterday you were so eager.”

I took a bite, considering what to say. “The ruins weren’t what I thought they were. I feel unsettled and alone here. I don’t know what it is—the music, the mist—I think I understand why no one comes here. Except you. Why doesn’t it bother you?”

“You feel it too, the old spirits, the aura of this place.There’s no shame in it. It’s ancient for a reason: because we aren’t meant to be here. No one is. The Great Sundering was a punishment. I didn’t tell you, but I used to come here with my son and daughter. I thought they would learn to appreciate the history, the intelligence that was left behind. But I was wrong. My daughter spoke of voices, whispers in the rock, music in the water. It drove her mad. My wife was furious. When my daughter died, she blamed me, took my son, and moved far away. She wouldn’t tell me where, but I suspect she went to the city. Broke my heart, it did. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I started coming out here, searching for answers, I suppose. The quiet gives me peace, but the music—yesterday you said you heard me playing.”

“I did, but you claimed it was the water.”

Harlan shifted toward the mist. “It helps me understand. There’s something under there, in the water, crying its song. Music is the only language it knows. That’s why we don’t go in the water at night.”

“And the mist?”

“That mystery hasn’t been solved, and I’m sure there are many others.”

I nodded, unable to speak about what I’d seen. “I’m sorry about your daughter. And your son.”