The Deepest Blue(57)

A squeeze on her arm.

Mayara nodded. She felt them too. Lots of spirits. She didn’t even try to see where this path led. They knew enough to know this way was not their escape route.

Retreating, they tiptoed back to the lake and then kept going until they reached their cave. So far, they’d explored the three major tunnels. Roe added an X to the writhing green beach, an X to the cliff drop, and an X to the route that led to the mass of spirits.

“We don’t know if that’s their permanent home,” Mayara said.

“We don’t know it isn’t. Do you want to go back and ask them? Maybe they’ll invite us in for tea.” Her voice sounded oddly rough. Roe drew a shuddering breath. “I can’t stop thinking about her. We don’t even know who it was.”

“We’d have been killed before we were even sure there was anyone to save,” Mayara pointed out. “They brought her out of the sea—she may have already drowned before . . . before that happened.”

“If we’d been careful—”

“No amount of careful would have been enough. We have to focus on what we can do, not what we wish we could.” Studying the map, Mayara tapped the path that led through the crystal cave. “This is what we can do. We can set up a second camp here. What do you think? That way, if we have to abandon this place—”

“Home, sweet home,” Roe muttered.

“—we’ll at least not have to start from scratch. Plus, it will make it easier to explore the other tunnels, since we’ll already be deeper in.”

Roe agreed.

Mayara liked having a plan. It was easier to avoid thinking about what she’d seen if she kept busy. Sorting through the paltry few items they’d accumulated, they debated what to bring and what had to stay—they’d have to hide their supplies at the second camp, and they wanted duplicates of the essentials, such as the coconut water-carrier and glass knives. Packing didn’t take long—It’s not as if we have a lot of belongings, she thought—but they discussed it at length anyway. It filled the time, and their minds, while their bodies rested.

She checked Roe’s injuries. No sign of infection. Then they ate and slept. The next day, they crept back to the crystal cave, bringing their supplies. Mayara felt optimistic—or at least, she did when she could avoid thinking of the woman on the beach.

There were enough nooks between the crystals that they had plenty of places to hide their belongings and themselves. Mayara particularly liked a nook beneath a black crystal—the way it was positioned, she could see out but no one could see her. She tested it with Roe.

“Nice,” Roe said, and then frowned. “What’s that?” Kneeling, she unearthed a lump wrapped in a palm leaf. She unwrapped it and held up a rusted knife.

Both of them stared at it.

“Guess we weren’t the first ones to find this place,” Roe said finally.

Mayara reached out and touched the knife handle with her finger, feeling as if she was touching a piece of history. From all the rust, it must have laid there a long time. “I wonder what happened to whoever it was.” It couldn’t have been good if she’d lost her knife. She felt a shiver up her spine and wondered if this crystal cave wasn’t the best place for a camp after all. It was large, with many nooks and crannies. They’d seemed perfect for hiding—but they were also perfect for spirits to hide in. Steadying herself, she reached out with her mind. . . .

They were still alone.

“Maybe she escaped, survived the month, and became an heir,” Roe said hopefully. And then her expression twisted. “Or not.” She was staring beyond Mayara. Taking the wad of firemoss from Mayara, she walked up to a grayish crystal. She held up the glowing moss.

Blurred from the crystal, a face peered out at them, frozen in a scream. Both of them took a step backward. Oh no. The woman, a stranger, had been encased in crystal. Mayara didn’t know how. . . .

But she did know.

Spirits.

Of course spirits. They must have sped up the growth of the crystal, trapping the woman inside. She must have died as it solidified around her.

Everywhere we go on this nightmare island, there’s more death.

“Different second camp?” Roe asked, her voice shaking.

Mayara could only nod.





Chapter Fourteen

It was time to forage again. They still hadn’t found a second camp that felt safe enough, which made Mayara nervous, and she was developing too much of a pattern with regard to where and when she harvested coconuts and other supplies, which made her even more nervous.

After much discussion, they agreed to try foraging at the cove. Roe argued that none of the other trainees would have stayed by the deadly beach, so the spirits would have abandoned it too.

It’s logical, Mayara thought. She just wasn’t sure that spirits were logical. But continuing to forage in the same place was too dangerous. That much she was sure of.

“Do you think any of the others are still alive?” Roe asked.

“I hope so.” At least she hadn’t heard any screams lately.

Sad that a good day means not hearing anyone die.

She couldn’t believe she was actually getting used to being here. Not that I want this to be my new home. Suddenly, she missed Kelo with an ache so strong that she forgot to breathe.