Chapter 53
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Dane leads me across the bridge to the other side of the island, the forest that reminds me of Blackwood looming before us.
I’d hoped we would take the long way around, not out of nervousness crossing the bridge where I almost fell into the depths with the monsters below, but because I wanted to be seen.
My hope of passing in front of the mountain was dashed as soon as Dane turned off the main path, cutting through the center of the island.
I wanted to be seen by whoever was in the lookout on shift today.
Walking over that stone bridge was my last hope of Sig finding out that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be.
But we didn’t, so she will never know.
I’m truly alone.
No one is coming for me.
“This way.” Trailing behind him, I follow as Dane cuts off the path, walking straight into the trees. The forest is dark, the trees so dense that all the remaining light from the sunset above us is blocked by the towering trees.
This part of the island is new to me, the forest unfamiliar, even though I’ve spent my life looking out my windows at a similar one.
Once I was searching on my own, I started on the other side of the island, purposely staying close to camp until I was familiar and confident I could make it back before dusk.
When I drew my map, I was methodical, and when the time came to cross over and search the other side, I’d already found the waters.
The forest is unfamiliar territory, and I don’t know where we are going, or even worse, how to get out.
I try to remember the nearest entrance to the tunnels, but we never took one this far into the forest. The closest I know of is at the edge, just beyond the bridge, the same one I told Roley to meet me at in three more nights.
The Oasis is on the other side of the trees.
Depending how far into the forest we end up, if I need to escape I can continue on through the other side, to the dunes. If I could find the magical cut in the ceiling, maybe the island would let me drop through into the pool below.
Maybe I’d have to beg the island for safety, just as Sig and I did before.
I hope it doesn’t get to that.
“We’re almost there,” Dane says over his shoulder, his hand still clutching mine tightly as we tramp through the brush and needles.
I stay silent, lost in my thoughts and observing anything that could help me, or anywhere I could hide if I need it. Nothing stands out or catches my eye that might lead me to safety, and I can’t help but notice the scent as we weave through the trees.
With the endless fog and clouds and the moisture in the air, Blackwood smells damp and musty.
The wet soil and dewy vegetation give off a scent that means home, but here, even with all the moisture in the air, it is completely different.
The forest smells… happy…the trees fragrant.
It feels familiar, even though it is the exact opposite of home.
“It’s just ahead,” Dane says, breaking the silence, as well as my concentration.
Leaning to the side, I sneak a glance past him, and my eyes fall on a tiny structure tucked away in a slight break in the trees.
Felled logs make up the peaked framework, with only a single door and a small dark window set into it.
It barely looks like two people could fit inside, let alone someone as tall as Dane.
“After you,” Dane says, and pushes open the door, gesturing for me to enter first. The room lights up before me, and I take in the space, the same magic that creates the cabin back at camp at work here as well.
A wall of windows sits opposite the door, the view of the forest through them peaceful and stunning. Everything else is simple; small wooden table with a few chairs is tucked into the corner near the door. Next to it, a smooth stone hearth that lies across from a single bed.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Dane says behind me, and I startle slightly. My eyes are fixed on the single bed, and I gulp down the lump forming in my throat.
It wasn’t long ago that the thought of being alone with Dane was thrilling, and something I hoped would happen. I never would have balked at sharing a bed, or whatever followed.
But now my mouth goes dry as I stare at it, anticipating any expectations he might have based on how I was before. Who I was before.
Now, there’s only one man I want to share a bed with.
Dane steps around me, crossing the room and kneeling before the hearth.
He arranges some chopped wood inside and works to strike sparks into the kindling underneath.
My gaze drifts down to his bare feet, then to his discarded boots beside me, and my heartbeat hastens.
Suspicions might rise if I don’t take mine off too, but if I do, I risk him finding my dagger.
And I’m left unprotected.
I’m too close. I can’t risk being discovered now.
“Do we really need a fire?” I ask as I crouch down to untie my boots, sliding each of them off, and making sure my dagger slips down inside as far as possible.
“This deep into the forest actually can get pretty cold. You’ll be glad later once the suns are all the way down.”
The kindling catches and I watch the flames engulf the logs. It almost feels like a sign, as if this is the moment where our entire plan sparks to life and gives us hope of getting home.
“Are all the safe houses like this? I mean—” I gesture to the bed behind him, and he glances over his shoulder, following my point. “Only one bed?”
“The rooms can change depending on how many people need it, but most Voyagers search alone, so they only ever need one.” He drops another log inside as crackling and popping fills the air between us.
“There’s two of us. Pretty presumptuous of Dawnlin, isn’t it?” I say, folding my arms across my chest.
Dane stands and chuckles before crossing the room to stop in front of me. He brushes a piece of hair off my face, his eyes softening as he looks into mine. “We don’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, one bed or not.”
I let out a breath, relief flooding my body, and I think he notices. Before either of us can say anything more, a loud growl from my stomach breaks the tension, and a loud laugh erupts from his mouth. “Let’s get you fed.”
Before he finishes his statement, a spread of food appears on the table next to us.
Pulling out a chair, I sit hastily, digging in to the food and using it as an excuse to figure out how to keep pushing forward despite the location impediment.
I need to stick to the plan and get out, but I’m still going to gather any information that might help us later. My time isn’t up yet.
“So,” I say between bites. “Why did we come here? What was your idea about the dust?”
Dane slides into the chair next to me and drapes his arm across the back of mine. “I want to check all the safe houses. I haven’t thought to search them before, but what if, like you said, the previous Guardians used them? What if they stored something that would be a clue, like books or maps?”
“I thought we weren’t allowed to have maps,” I say automatically. He still has no clue about mine.
“We can’t,” he answers. “But if there were old ones hidden in our safe houses, they would be protected. We’ve never had a Castaway inside one before. It’s the perfect place to keep important information hidden.”
I look around the room, trying to spot anything that could be a secret compartment, or any items that looked like they were left behind, but there is nothing out of the ordinary.
The walls are bare, there’s no extra furniture.
If there is anything hidden in this safe house, the magic decided not to show it to us.
“I wanted to check this one first because it is so secluded. It would make sense if something is hidden here.”
It does make sense. The isolation and darkness that surrounds it would make it easily forgotten or never found, as opposed to the houses that are more out in the open, like the one I was supposed to be in tonight.
The seclusion makes for a great hiding place, but for my purposes tonight, all it brings is fear.
“But the safe houses are just like the cabin, right?” I ask. “They change depending on who needs it?”
“Right,” he says, and reaches out to grab a piece of meat.
My stomach sinks as I formulate my next question. The realization of what Dane’s idea could mean hitting me as hard as Sig’s fist.
“Are you the only one that can search them then? Will the magic only reveal whatever is hidden to the Guardian?”
His head tilts to the side as he considers it, perking up slightly with his response. “It’s possible. I haven’t tried, but maybe I should.”
If Dane is right, and the Guardians of the past used one of the safe houses to store information on Dawnlin, specifically how to get the dust, he might be the only one that can access it.
If the magic protects the island, anything that could risk the dust falling into the wrong hands would stay hidden, only to be revealed to the Guardian.
Which means, if I take the pouch tonight, that’s all the dust we will ever have.
But what if the Guardian is the one who is causing the harm? Is the island protecting it from him, too?
I reach out for a cup of water and take a large gulp, trying to hide the worry on my face with this new possibility.
“Should I leave so you can look, then?” I ask.
Dane scoffs, as if what I asked was an absurd request. “Of course not. We’re taking a break tonight, remember?”
Of course. A break.
Tension coils in my shoulders, but I smile softly to hide the unease.
Dane was right before. The warmth from the fire that fills the room isn’t too much from the coolness of the dark forest around us.
The suns fell below the trees long ago, and the windows on the opposite side of the room are black.
The only thing visible is our reflections in the dark glass.
The island is silent around us, except for the crackling of the fire, and I let out a loud yawn.
I am exhausted, but getting to sleep is the next step of my plan.
I need Dane to let his guard down enough to take the dust off and fall asleep so I can take it and escape.
Dane stands, his chair scraping against the floor as he leans over and presses a quick kiss to my hair. “I’m going to go get some more firewood. Why don’t you lay down? I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Alright,” I say with a nod, as I fight off another yawn.
He walks to the door and slips on his boots while I cross the room to the bed. I need the best advantage possible to escape, so I sink into the bedding and curl up on the side closest to the door, pleading with my body not to fall asleep.
Not in outdoor clothes, you aren’t.
I shiver as Weston’s words play in my mind, and close my eyes for a moment, pretending I’m back on the ship, getting ready for bed.
But I’m leaving these clothes on.
I can do this. I can do this.
Please help me do this.
The island wanted me to be here, wanted me to leave the ship and go through with my plan, so now I plead with it to let me get through this to help my friends.
My family. There has to be a reason it let me off the ship, because if there wasn’t, if I wasn’t meant to be here to steal the dust from Dane’s belt, I would have stayed locked in Weston’s room, with the entire plan thwarted.