Behind us, clanking chains crashed against the ocean water as the ferry sank an anchor. The ship jolted, and she took another step away. Hands forming fists, she rolled her lower lip into her mouth. “I’m sorry, Noc.”
Her voice was so small that the groans of docking threatened to swallow it whole. But I caught the concern. Leena looked at me without really seeing me—stared at my chest and walked away before I could question her further.
“You ready for this?” Calem slapped me across the back, rocking me in place. The rest of the group had already boarded a small barnacle-encrusted wooden boat with oars off the left side of the ferry.
Corinne waved at us to join them. “I made lunches for everyone.” She handed us small boxes neatly wrapped in plaid cloth. When she gave Ozias his, her fingers lingered a moment too long.
“Thanks.” I jumped into the boat behind Calem and landed between Ozias and Kost, Felicks nestled safely beside him.
A genuine smile graced Leena’s lips, and she reached back to scratch Felicks behind his ears. “It’s admirable how quickly you’ve established a bond with him, Kost.”
Kost nodded. “I summon him every night to see how long he can stay in our realm. We’re progressing nicely.”
“Soon you’ll be able to stay out for days at a time,” Leena cooed to the beast. Felicks let out a contented huff, and Leena dropped her hand. “It helps that your master is strong.”
The faintest blush scorched the tops of Kost’s ears, and he cleared his throat. Without looking Leena’s way, he gripped the oar at his side. “Let’s go.”
Heavy waves made paddling to the beach hard work. We each manned an oar while Leena sat to one side, fingers drawing patterns in the crystal-clear water. Everything about her called to me. The bow-like shape of her lips and the pealing laugh that sometimes spilled from them. The curiosity and drive in her gaze—especially when she looked my way. She had to be drawn to me, too. It would have been better if she weren’t, but we seemed to be on a dangerous path neither of us could avoid.
The bottom of the boat scraped against the sand, and we jumped into warm, ankle-deep water. Ozias hauled the vessel several feet up the beach, securing it beyond the reach of high tide. White sand greeted us, and we trudged toward the forest line of the jungle.
“Corinne and her father will be back tomorrow to grab us. Is that enough time, Leena?” Ozias dropped two duffel bags on the ground. The rest we’d left at the Roasted Boar.
Leena stared up at the midmorning sun. “Hopefully.” Palm trees lined the edge of the jungle, and countless caws of eager birds filled the air. She turned toward the chirps, tilting her head as if listening for something none of us could comprehend. The jungle crowded the base of a conical volcano, and rugged peaks of black and brown shot through the rubber leaves.
“What beast do you have in mind?” Kost set Felicks on the ground. His beast cocked his head to the side just as clouds brewed in his orb.
She shrugged, but something foreign passed through her gaze. “I’m not sure.”
Lie. I could read it plain as day. “Oh, really now?”
Eyes narrowed, she stepped away. “Really, really.”
“I’m good with whatever you pick.” Ozias cradled the back of his head. “You did so well with Kost and Calem, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Exasperated, Leena placed her hands on her hips. “That doesn’t help me at all.”
Kost looked past her to the retreating ferry. “Well, you must have had something in mind if you dragged us here.” By his feet, Felicks’s orb cleared. His hackles raised, and a low growl rattled the back of his throat. Kost’s face pinched. He crouched down to rest his hand on Felicks’s back. “What’s wrong?”
Leena stilled, her eyes darting from Felicks to the suddenly quiet surroundings. “He senses something.”
“Is it that?” Calem leaned forward onto the balls of his feet and pointed at a reddish boulder some fifty yards down the beach.
My lips quirked into a smile. “That’s a rock.”
“I swear I saw it move.” Calem squinted, and Leena followed his gaze. As if struck by lightning, she froze in place, fingers trembling.
“Stay very still.”
I frowned. “What?”
Slowly she touched her chin to her shoulder. “No sudden movements, or it’ll charge.”
The low groan of something ancient and powerful grated like grinding gears, and adrenaline prickled across my skin. Spurred to life by our arrival, the rock unfurled its mammoth shape. Taller than an elephant and built like a wingless dragon, the creature leaned forward on powerful legs. Thick claws speared the soft sands. A bone headdress with pointed spikes sat like a crown around the beast’s head, and gleaming, threatening eyes targeted us. A mirage shimmered around its body.
“What the fuck is that?” Calem asked. Leena stood alone in front of us, one hand splayed outward and the other nervously gripping the bestiary around her neck.
“Laharock.” She lowered her voice to a whisper, as if that somehow would keep the beast from charging. “It’ll kill us all.”
