Page 19 of Dark Voyage Matters of the Mind

At the moment, he wasn't sure whether she was even willing to continue their romance, tryst, hookup, or whatever it was that what they had could be described as. It could only work as long as both of them kept their hearts out of it, but he was struggling with that, and she seemed to be as well.

He would have to ponder the situation later, though. Right now, he needed to keep his senses alert to defend the little sprite who was depending on him to protect her.

His eyes flickering constantly to the dense foliage flanking the road, Dagor searched for hidden signs of danger. The green façade could hide any number of threats, and regrettably, he wasn't gifted with telepathy. Still, he was a god, and he was equipped with a primal alarm system that had served him well in the past.

It wasn't easy given the cacophony of sounds, which might have seemed calming to mortal ears. Birds called to one another in a chorus of high-pitched melodies, and the rustle of leaves and branches moving in the wind could mask the approach of assailants. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, its musky aroma mingling with the sweet fragrance of flowering vines and the sharp tang of ripening fruit. It was sensory overload, yet beneath it all, Dagor searched for the distinct rankness of ill intentions, the kind of scent that would taint the air with the stench of malevolence.

He could not shake off the feeling of foreboding, and he didn't know whether it was rooted in what Kian had said, the few articles he had read earlier, or his instincts that were fueling his unease the deeper they drove into the heart of the territory.

Over the roar of the old engine, Dagor cataloged every snapped twig, bird call, insect buzz, and distant rustle.

He had to remain vigilant. Reaching out with his senses beyond their immediate surroundings, he scanned for malevolence. If he got even a whiff of danger, he would sound the alarm and shield Frankie or do that in reverse order.

His first priority should be protecting her.

Frankie

It felt as if they had left civilization behind and entered a wild world untouched by humans, but that was just an illusion created by the dense vegetation and the sounds of nature surrounding them.

Frankie had never traveled far away from home. Heck, the farthest she'd gone had been Vegas, and she hated to admit it, but it was nicer than this expedition into the jungle or rain forest or whatever it was called. She'd imagined a jungle being even more dense than what they were passing through.

She didn't like the oppressive heat and humidity, and she didn't like the bugs, but she very much liked having Dagor next to her even though clinging to him was making her sweaty.

He, on the other hand, seemed unperturbed by the heat or by her body being pressed closely to his, but his eyes kept darting around as if he expected someone to jump at them out of the foliage.

She wasn't worried, though. Luis, their driver, appeared unconcerned, and he knew the area and its dangers well. After Kalugal's little lecture, he took it upon himself to explain the history of the region, the various plants that grew there, and the local customs. His English was surprisingly good, and she wondered whether Luis had spent time in the States or was just talented with languages.

He pointed out the towering ceiba trees considered sacred by many Mesoamerican cultures, including the Yope people, explaining that the colossal trees were believed to connect the underworld to the terrestrial realm and the skies above.

"The ceiba trees were also used to make medicine," Luis said. "The bark is boiled, and the water is used as a diuretic, an aphrodisiac, to relieve headaches, and even to treat diabetes." He turned around and grinned at them. "Have you heard of Ayahuasca?"

"Of course," Kalugal said. "It's a psychedelic drink with some nasty side effects."

"The ceiba tree bark is also used to make different versions of it. Many of the flowers that grow here were used for medicine making." Luis pointed to the orchids clinging to the tree trunks. "Like these ones."

While Frankie found the tour guide's prattle relaxing, it was obvious that Dagor didn't. His posture was stiff, and his eyes were constantly scanning, but he wasn't looking at what Luis was pointing out.

"Hey," she said quietly. "Relax. If there was any danger, do you think Luis would have been talking about trees and flowers? He would have been scanning the area the same way you’re doing."

"What if he is in cahoots with the criminals?"

She chuckled. "Kalugal hired him, and I don't think that guy would have taken chances with someone un-vetted. I'm sure he came highly recommended."

Dagor didn't look convinced. "I don't know Kalugal well, and neither do you. I prefer to keep my eyes open, especially since you are here. I need to protect you."

Her heart warmed at his words. "That's sweet." She lifted her head to kiss his cheek. "I feel safe with you."

"Look at thiscotorro." Luis pointed at a parrot with vibrant colors perching on a limb above their heads. "The Yope people have a legend about a god who could communicate with the people through parrots."

Frankie chuckled. "Can you talk with them?"

"Only if they speak a language I understand."

As the vehicle skirted the edge of a deep ravine, Luis looked back, and Frankie's heart lurched into her throat. "Please look ahead, or you'll get us killed."

He grinned at her as if she was being foolish. "I've driven this road so many times that I can do it blindfolded."

"Please do not," Kalugal said in a stern voice.