Page 11 of Awakening Storm

An unfamiliar restlessness tugged at him. He stared at Rhianna as she made a bed of palm branches. She looked up at the limb where he was perching and spotted his eagle. Their gazes held.

Oh, how sweet,Theodora commented.I think you like her.

Irritation flared that she’d read his feelings so easily. Hedidlike this woman, this Rhianna. He would not admit it to Theodora, though.

Now that Rhianna had noticed him, he decided to move a little closer. He flew to a lower branch across the clearing, putting himself between her and the sorceress.

He didn’t think Theodora would try anything yet. Straight and to the point was not her style. She liked to drag it out, to get the most entertainment value from it as she could.

That was a good thing this time. It would give him more opportunity to come up with a plan and outsmart her.

From past encounters, he’d gleaned that she trolled the Pacific, its islands and waters, and collected her victims. She was the reason the Dragon Vortex had gotten its reputation. Because the people who entered this area were not only lost but usually not in this dimension any longer.

Rhianna patted a spot on her makeshift bed. “Come on,” she said to the dog. “It’s dry in here.”

Takeshi trotted beneath the shelter and curled up next to her.

Hmph.Theodora snorted. Abruptly, she cocked her chin and looked off to the side, as if tuning in to something else, something far beyond even his enhanced hearing. She snapped her head back to glare at him.I’ll be back—she pointed a finger at him—and then you’re going to give me this sweet girl on a silver platter.

With that, Theodora disappeared.

Aidan took a deep breath and returned his attention to Rhianna, only to find her watching him with apprehension. Then she flicked both hands at him. “Go away. Shoo,” she said. “You’re making me nervous.”

He angled his head at her. Nervousness was the least of her problems.

“I’m sure those claws are sharp,” she mumbled. “I wish I recalled if eagles attack humans . . .”

He could if he wanted to. But if the eagle bothered her, he wondered what she’d think of his tiger. Perhaps if he showed her that form, she’d be scared enough to call someone to come get her.

Given the mountainous terrain behind them, the sun disappeared quickly, leaving behind a sudden drop in temperature along with the darkness. She still had that fire going, but it wouldn’t last through the night, even with the firewood she’d gathered. And it got very cold out here in the elements.

Hecouldchange into a human and take her to his home. But she’d probably have a heart attack at that. Instead, he decided to run to the Divine Tree where he had a sleeping bag stored. He’d set it where she’d discover it.

The plan appealed to him. He liked the idea of helping her, but he knew he couldn’t leave her for long in case Theodora returned. So he would have to be quick.

After that, he would hunker down for the night and watch over her.

* * *

Rhianna’s back musclesloosened, and she let out a sigh of relief as the eagle flew off.

Good. It was gone.

The rain had eased to a misty drizzle. She zipped her jacket up beneath her chin and then rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She was pretty sure the show’s producers hadn’t been so nice as to include chemical hand warmers or any such thing in her emergency kit, but she’d check anyway.

She clicked on her flashlight and dug to the bottom of the sack. The light reflected off something, and she reached in and removed the item. It was a Mylar thermal blanket. She hadn’t noticed it when she’d looked earlier. She grinned from ear to ear at the find. She wouldn’t have to worry so much about the fire now. This would at least keep her fairly warm and dry.

The Mylar made a crinkling sound as she opened the package and unfolded the blanket. She wrapped it around her shoulders and snuggled back into her sheltered spot. This would do for tonight. Tomorrow she’d have to find the perfect place to call home for the next twenty-one days. Someplace dry, out of the wind, and with access to fresh water.

Closing her eyes, she sighed. A warmth formed in her core and spread outward into her limbs.

Mmm. Much better.

She couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, though, as she stared out into the darkness beyond the firelight. Her vision darted around from one black spot to another. The puppy snuggled up to her hip, comforting her.

After being awake for what seemed like hours, she finally fell into a restless sleep. At one point, she thought the night would never end, she’d awoken so many times. But eventually, the sky grew lighter, the first hint of dawn bathing the sky in a soft lavender and then pink. The hues were quite muted and hazy given the mist that shrouded the island, but as the sun rose, a brightness filled on the horizon.

Rhianna sat up, pressing her back against the dirt wall behind her. She wasn’t in any hurry to get up and leave her warm cocoon. She had all day to accomplish the next step and explore the area. If she found some artifacts, they may give a clue about other people who had stumbled onto the island.