I glance around the beach, looking for something familiar.
“Is this the right beach?” Kian asks.
I frown. “I’m not really sure . . . It looks different than in my dream. Maybe we should start walking? Hopefully something will spark a memory.”
Ignoring the looks Sera and Alex shoot each other, I blow out a breath. So what if they don’t believe my dreams? My gut tells me we are on the right isle, but the last thing I want to do is spend days searching it or find ourselves stranded here.
Alex adjusts the pack on his back. “Lead the way, princess.”
I roll my eyes but start in the direction thatfeelsright.
We’ve been walkingfor maybe an hour, but it’s hard to tell. I miss the presence of the sun. Although it’s cool, the isle feels sticky, the humidity causing my hair to adhere to my neck and my clothes to cling to my skin in a less than comfortable manner.
A roar rends the air, and we freeze.
“Um, Rae, I thought the lion was just an imagination thing,” Alex says quietly, as if being too loud will summon the beast to us.
I shrug. “I mean, it’s his animal form, but if he’s trapped, as we suspect, he shouldn’t be able to roam free, and this isn’t exactly the typical climate for lions.”
“Perhaps it’s not an actual lion but the god summoning us,” Kian says.
“Let’s go with that option,” Sera chimes in.
I give an awkward laugh, trying to ease the tension that’s been increasing with each step. While I’m not completely certain, every dream has been the same—the lion leading me to the waterfall and the pained screams coming from somewhere behind it. My gut tells me he is trapped somewhere, and only his spirit could roam free as the lion.
We continue walking, and no oversized lions pop out and scare us, so I consider that a win. But once we round a bend, I’m struck with an extreme case of deja vu. This is it. This is where I was in my dream. I’m certain of it.
Perhaps even more terrifying are the footprints that lead up toward the dense jungle. Footprints the size of my feet with giant pawprints next to them.
What in the hells is going on?
“Can you see those prints?” I ask hesitantly, wondering if I’m hallucinating.
Sera’s eyes meet mine, terror filling them. “So there is a lion.”
“I don’t understand,” I stammer. “These look like my footprints, from my dream . . . but how in the gods’ names would that even be possible?”
Kian’s skin has lightened a shade, and Alex isn’t making quips, so I know things are serious.
“I don’t think the ways of the gods can be explained, as much as I wish they could,” Kian says.
“I never realized how devout you are,” Alex replies. “But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve been obsessed with finding him for years.”
“I think we need to follow the tracks,” I say. “This is the path.”
Kian’s smile is tight. “Ready whenever you are.”
“Into the woods then,” Alex says with a fake sense of cheer.
We trace the footprints into the jungle, the thick foliage blotting out a majority of the light. It’s shockingly cool, and the sweaty clothes make my skin even more clammy and uncomfortable. The scent of rot assaults my nose and coats my tongue.
“What is that foul smell?” Alex complains.
“I don’t think I want to know,” Sera replies.
For the most part, a hush has fallen over our group. Now that we’re following a path, everything is so much more real. I look behind myself and suck in a breath. The footprints we’ve been following have disappeared behind us, as if they truly are some kind of magic. Gods, I hope we can find our way back out.
As the foliage gets denser, Kian pulls out his sword and swings at the branches, clearing a wider path for us. That will only be in our favor on the way out.
