The party stopped before the entrance to a small cave carved into the side of a tall hill. Soft mosses grew atop fallen logs and large rocks, the opening framed by deep purple vines.
“All right, team,” said Rosenshield. “We are here to observe the species that reside within this cave. We will also bring a few specimens back to camp with us. Collecting the specimens will be Aaric and Sylvie’s job, supervised by one of us. Doctor Lovelace, please ensure you draw each and every plant or animal species we encounter.”
I listened to Dr. Rosenshield’s instructions, Liam standing beside me. Though he remained quiet, he kept glancing at me with concern, and what seemed to be a hint of regret.
Chapter 11
A Shared Beverage
Liam
Islid my hands into the pockets of my thick black trousers and strolled around the small space. I wore the usual gear most of the others did—a breathable navy button-up with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows in an attempt to stave off the heat of the rainforest.
While Rosenshield pointed out the only non-animal living beings scattered around the cave—a few varieties of fungi growing along the walls—I explored another room, bored with his lectures about how they reproduced using spores.
As I ambled around the space, my mind couldn’t stop wandering back to Cerise’s reaction when I mentioned Ambrose Yearwood. It was obvious I had hit a nerve, but I wasn’t sure why.
I hadn’t really meant to suggest she was only attracted to droll men. But sometimes, my words tumbled out without me thinking them through. Although I was only teasing about her being boring—I didn’t actually think that—it seemed as if I had hurt her feelings.
Was that the only reason she was upset? Or was it specifically related to Ambrose?
Dr. Yearwood was a professor at another university. While hewas brilliant, known for his research on a rare species of butterfly, he was an absolute bastard. I had interacted with him several times at conferences and he’d always rubbed me the wrong way. He looked down on most everyone in our field, behaving as if he was the most important person in the room. Tall and thin, his piercing blue eyes held no warmth as he gave his lectures on stage or when he graced us peons with stiff handshakes and artificial smiles.
I loathed him.
“Doctor Pendragon!” Rosenshield’s voice called from the other room. “Please rejoin the team.”
I shook my head as I began to make my way back, when something in the dirt captured my attention. Animal tracks. Large and feline, they wound through the back of the cave, disappearing down a dark tunnel.
I knelt, ignoring the pleas from my boss, and examined the prints. The hair stood on the back of my neck when I determined what left them. We needed to leave. Now.
I rose and hurried back to the group.
“There you are, Doctor?—”
I interrupted Rosenshield. “Did no one think to scout this cave before we put ourselves in mortal danger?”
“Danger?” Sylvie asked, sudden fear in her voice.
“What on earth are you talking about?” Rosenshield said.
“My team scouted this cave a month ago, sir,” said Ivan.
“Well, it seems something has moved in since. It’s time to leave.”
Cerise looked at me. “What did you find?”
But before I could answer, a growl rumbled from deep within the cavern.
“What was that?” Aaric whispered.
“Jungle cat,” I replied, backing away with the group. “And we’d better get out of its home before we become lunch.”
“Jungle cats don’t eat humans,” Cerise corrected me. “They feed on more medium-sized mammals. Small deer, tapirs…even the occasional?—”
I strode up and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the entrance. “Not the ideal time for a lesson, Doctor Thornheart. Everyone, follow me!”
Our team gathered our gear and the few specimens we’d collected and hurried away. But, as we were almost to the cave entrance, a giant feline appeared, blocking our way out.
