by Robyn Nyx
“Sure thing, lady boss. Which direction, Stinse?” Tonyck asked.
Rayne saw the briefest flicker of a smile before Chase responded with their heading. It was good Tonyck had done as Rayne had asked and eased off Chase. They could learn a lot from each other if they were willing to park their stubbornness long enough.
Rayne followed Effi as she and Tonyck led the way. She glanced back at the origin tree one last time. Majestic though it was, it now looked out of place, lonely even. Having served its purpose, would it now die? Rayne shook off the thought of death. With Turner and Owen so close, she didn’t have the time to entertain such morbid musings. And besides, the not-yet-written history books were calling her name.
Chapter Twenty-five
Chase leaned back and looked up. From this angle, this close to the tree, she couldn’t see a single speck of sky. The trunk of the tree stretched up into the heavens before fanning out a protective umbrella of branches and leaves into the emergent layer of the rain forest. Almost reverently, Chase pressed her palm to the smooth bark then crouched to her knees, never losing contact with the tree until her hand touched the large circle of calloused wood she was looking for.
“This is it, Rayne. This is the one.” Chase reached for Rayne without turning and didn’t have to wait long to feel her warmth. Chase pulled her down to join her at the base of the gigantic tree.
Rayne placed her free hand on the scarred trunk. “You can almost hear the heartbeat of history.”
Chase glanced at Rayne. “You can be pretty poetic sometimes.”
Rayne swatted the peak of Chase’s cap. “Shut up.” She tapped her knuckles on the bark. “It’s going to take a while to get through that.”
Chase nodded. “Might be a good idea to send your tank twins backward. They could walk off some other tracks and maybe slow Turner down.”
“Any tracker with half a mind for the job wouldn’t be fooled for long with their trails. They’ll know they weren’t loaded down with enough weight and packs.” Rayne beckoned Tonyck over anyway.
“What do you need, lady boss?”
“Chase needs some time to get into the tree.” Rayne stood and leaned against it. “We’re thinking you and Ginn could track back and lay some alternate tracks to put the dogs off the scent. What do you think?”
“I’ll take Effi. Ginn can stand guard and patrol the perimeter. We’re not leaving you alone.”
Chase focused on getting the right tools from her pack and didn’t answer to say that wouldn’t be the case. Chase had a rifle, and she’d use it if she had to—not to kill, obviously—but she’d been a damn good shot on the range against paper targets. She could easily wing them if necessary. Put that on top of the fact that Rayne was well enough equipped to look after herself and Tonyck really had very little to worry about.
“I’m not alone.” Rayne placed her hand on Chase’s shoulder and squeezed. “I’ve got Chase.”
Tonyck laughed. “Your little weekend warrior? I guess you’re right.”
Chase didn’t look up at Tonyck’s half-compliment but quietly appreciated it. They’d reached an understanding without really having to talk to each other, a perfect scenario for Chase, and Tonyck now seemed to accept Chase’s presence far more than she had originally. Chase’s initial suspicion that Tonyck had a thing for Rayne had been unfounded. She’d concluded that beyond Tonyck’s professional responsibility for Rayne, a deeper family-like connection had been established. Rayne seemed as close as she’d let herself be to the tank twins, but Chase wondered how Rayne felt about it; suffocated, probably. Rayne’s parents had raised her to ensure she never needed anybody or at least never to admit to it.
“How long do you think you’ll need, Stinse?”
That was the second time Tonyck had shortened her name, another subtle indication of her tacit acceptance of Chase’s value to the expedition. This time, Chase looked up before standing and stretching out her legs. “The scarring was quite deep on the origin tree. I expect they were all cut around the same time so they should be similarly sized. An hour or so should do it.” She pointed to the reciprocating saw, chisel, and hammer she’d gotten from her pack. “We should have another two of these holes to cut out so I’ve got to conserve the battery.”
Tonyck raised her eyebrow and looked unconvinced. “You’d better get to it. I’m betting that’ll take closer to two hours.”
Rayne’s expression turned serious. “We don’t have two hours.”
Tonyck saluted and began to walk away. “I hear you, lady boss. I’ll let Ginn and Effi know what’s happening, and I’ll position Pablo on lookout up a tree somewhere.”
Rayne turned to Chase after Tonyck left. “I can’t wait to see what’s inside here.”
“We’d better hope this lupuna doesn’t contain a spirit. It might not take kindly to me slicing it open.”
“So long as you don’t pee on the tree, we should be okay.”
Chase had come across a folktale of a woman falling ill after peeing on a spirited lupuna tree. Rayne had obviously read the same thing. “I’m jumping straight to the point where I slice it open, although I feel like that should offend the spirit more than a little urine.”
Rayne smiled and motioned to Chase’s tools. “You should get on.” Her eyes darkened slightly. “We don’t have a lot of time.”
Chase nodded and returned to her position at the footings of the tree. Turner didn’t have to dig around for clues or try to translate the map. All he needed to do was find and stay on their trail. Chase hoped Tonyck and Effi could at least delay their progress with some false tracks. They’d been happy to see few signs of any tribes other than a few crossed branches that acted as a warning not to venture farther into their forest. Unfortunately, Chase knew that a few twigs wouldn’t stop Turner and Owen.
Chase used the chisel to edge out the vaguely circular chunk of wood she’d carved around. She’d been careful to keep checking when the depth of her incision hit space. The map gave no clues as to what was contained in this tree so Chase had used the electric saw sparingly to limit the possibility of slicing through anything secreted inside.
She eased it out as if she were opening the most eagerly anticipated Christmas gift ever. Rayne knelt by her side and put her hand on Chase’s thigh. Her touch felt even hotter than usual. She blinked away the physical distraction and placed the wood on the ground before focusing her flashlight on the newly exposed hole.
“What is it?”
Chase smiled at the impatience in Rayne’s voice. She’d gotten used to being first to everything. This was a little payback for the last couple of finds Rayne had beaten her to. “Wait.” Chase reached in and carefully grasped the object, unsure of its fragility. She dropped the flashlight to the ground and used her free hand to close around the relatively solid shape.
“What does it feel like?” Rayne tapped Chase on the back.
Chase shrugged her off. “I’ve got to be careful with it. Relax.” If it wasn’t for the knowledge that Turner was bearing down on them, Chase would’ve drawn the process out. But they didn’t have time for games. She pulled the box out and placed it on top of a small waterproof bag she’d laid out. Chase unclipped her utility knife from her belt and used the blade to scrape away the sap seal. “Looks like they used latex sap to stick the two halves together.” She slipped the knife end into a small hole she found and gently pried the halves apart. Inside was a small and strangely-shaped carved piece of mahogany wood.
Rayne knelt beside Chase. “You did say it could be a key of sorts. Maybe it’s shaped to fit in something?”
Chase nodded. “There doesn’t appear to be any distinctive markings, though the wood itself is beautiful.” She took some time to thoroughly check the box over. “Look at this. It matches.” Chase lay one half of the box on the laminated map copy and tapped a series of symbols on the first circle of them.
“It’s definitely the right piece then.” Rayne took a few photos, first with Chase’s camera and
then with her own. She handed Chase a marker. “You’d better label this as number one. If there are any more of them, it could be that the order might matter when we get to the cave.”
Chase took the pen, numbered the bag, and placed their find inside. “Time to roll.” She checked her watch. “That took just under an hour. Tonyck and Effi should be back any minute.”
Rayne got to her feet. “I’ll see where they are.”
Chase started to gather her tools while Rayne wandered off to call for Tonyck on the radio and wave for Ginn and Pablo to rejoin them.
Pack up complete, she hitched her bags up onto her back and looked over to Rayne. Ginn and Pablo were with her, but there was clearly something wrong.
“What’s the problem?” Chase asked as she approached.
“We can’t get hold of Tonyck or Effi,” Rayne said.
Chase glanced at Ginn and back to Rayne. “Maybe the radios are out of range?” It was a long shot considering they’d been able to keep in touch when the tribe had taken her and Rayne away for the night.
Rayne shook her head. “Tonyck had one of the sat phones. She’s not answering that either.”
The unspoken explanation hung heavy in the space between them all. Pablo scratched at the scar on his chest, making it clear what he thought had become of them both.
“What do you want to do?” Chase addressed Ginn. Tonyck was her sister. It had to be her call. She had to be the one to decide a plan of action regardless of her employment status with Rayne. Ginn didn’t respond immediately, and her conflict was clear.
“I…I don’t know.” Ginn looked at Rayne then in the direction Tonyck and Effi had gone just over an hour ago.
“You have to go after them, Ginn.” Chase adjusted the rifle strap across her chest, reminding herself that she had the means to protect the rest of their diminishing team.
Rayne nodded and put her hand on Ginn’s shoulder. “Chase is right. You’ve got no real choice, G. You need to go after your sister.”
Ginn shook her head, then nodded, then shook it again before rubbing both hands over her head as if she were trying to scrub the situation from her mind.
“I can’t let you go ahead on your own. Tonyck would…” Ginn dropped her eyes to the ground and kicked at the vegetation beneath her feet.
“Tonyck’s not here to make a decision, Ginn.” Chase couldn’t be sure she’d leave Rayne if she were in Ginn’s position either. “It’s an almost impossible choice, we know that. But you’re not leaving Rayne alone, and Pablo and I are armed.” Though neither of them had any inclination to shoot anyone. Chase pushed that challenge to the back of her mind for now. She’d really hoped that level of violence wouldn’t come to pass. But with Tonyck missing, Chase couldn’t escape the inevitability that it already had. “We’ll take care of Rayne. Go get your sister and Effi and come back to us.” Chase punched Ginn’s upper arm. “We finish this together.”
Ginn nodded, more convincingly this time. “You’ve got this,” she said and looked directly, and only, at Chase. It was clear she wasn’t entrusting Pablo to keep Rayne safe. Ginn loaded up her packs then pointed to the original map. “We’ll follow your trail. Move as fast as you can.”
“We’ll be so fast we’ll be at the cave before you catch up.” Chase didn’t feel the emotion she tried to portray in an accompanying smile.
“Don’t go in without us,” Ginn said then turned and headed back toward their original trail without looking back.
There were a few moments of respectful silence before Chase tapped the map box with her foot. “Do you want to take first shift on this?” she asked Pablo.
“Absolutely. Which way are we heading?”
“White means north, Pablo, until we find the next tree.” Surrounded by a moat that may or may not still be writhing with anacondas…
Chapter Twenty-six
Chase woke from a deep sleep with the feeling she was being watched. She sat up and looked around but could see only Pablo, lit by a neon glow stick, perched on guard just as he had been when she reluctantly fell to sleep. Rayne was still lost to the sandman, and Chase enjoyed another few moments watching her, so peaceful and relaxed. She wondered if she’d get the chance to wake up next to Rayne in normal circumstances or if this adventure would end and sweep away all of their heightened feelings, leaving them both alone again and both unwilling to cross the bridge between them.
Chase rubbed her eyes and withdrew from her sleeping bag. There were more pressing issues to concern herself with right now. Like what the hell had happened to Tonyck and Effi? And had the same fate befallen Ginn? The team had been halved in one easy step, and with no idea how close Turner might be, the rest of them were forced to press on, taking a three-hour sleep burst before getting back on the trail.
Chase checked her watch. She’d only been asleep thirty minutes after taking the first hour on watch. She peered into the darkness, unable to lose the feeling of being observed from a distance. She pulled on her boots, grabbed her machete, and ventured slowly toward the inner forest.
“Thank you for the warning.”
Chase spun around at the sound of a partially familiar voice. The three women she’d spoken to when she and Rayne had been taken from the FUNAI camp stood before her.
“What the hell?” she said in English and lowered her machete. “Why are you here? How are you here?” Chase asked in Tupi.
“To thank you. You were right. These men are…a different beast from those who have come before them,” the central one said.
“You’ve seen them? Are they near here?” Chase took a breath and quelled the threat of rising panic. She didn’t have the time or the capacity for it, but if these old women could find them so easily, Turner must be close.
“The rain forest sees and hears everything. But no. They are at least a day without rest behind you…” She reached out and rested her hand on Chase’s head as she had done before. “They have prisoners, and those prisoners are doing their best to slow them down.”
Chase didn’t move away from the old woman’s touch, not wanting to offend her. “Tonyck and Effi? What about Ginn? Never mind.” Chase knew the women couldn’t know their team, but at least she now knew they were alive. “How do you know this?”
“Our communities have disappeared into the farther reaches of our home where the white men will not follow, but we are still watching them.”
“Have you seen a lone traveler between our two groups?” Chase didn’t know how Ginn would have reacted to seeing her sister captured by Turner. Had she tried to rescue her and failed?
The old woman shook her head. “She is no longer alone. We have heard there was a small battle. She was hurt, but she is alive.” She increased the pressure on Chase’s head. “You must not allow them to get to the Golden Trinity. Their disappointment will lead to destruction.”
Disappointment? The Golden Trinity promised to be the largest treasure haul in history. How on earth could Turner be disappointed? “We’re trying to get there as fast as we can, I promise you that.” Chase could neither promise nor guarantee what the old woman asked for. She didn’t make promises she couldn’t keep.
“Protect the Golden Trinity. It is no longer safe.” The old woman let go of Chase’s head and began to step back, engulfed in the blackness of the forest.
“Wait. Is that all you can tell me?” Chase slammed her palm on the tree closest to her. “Why can’t you just lead us there and save us the trouble?” She shone her flashlight after the women, but they were gone.
“Who are you talking to?”
“Fuck,” Chase said when Rayne startled her. “Does anyone else want to stealthily appear from the shadows?”
“What are you talking about?” Rayne caught hold of Chase’s wrist. “Are you sleepwalking?”
Chase allowed Rayne to pull her closer. “No. I’m wide-awake, but it did feel like I might’ve been dreaming.” Chase slipped her arms around Rayne’s waist and kissed her forehead. “Because I couldn�
�t possibly have had a full conversation with that old woman from the Indian tribe, could I? Especially in the dead of night in the middle of a jungle.”
Rayne placed her palm on Chase’s chest. “Your heart’s pounding out of your ribs, Chase.”
Chase’s heart was banging hard, but it wasn’t in response to what may or may not have been another jungle hallucination. Rayne’s hand on her skin felt like it might sear into Chase’s body and wrap around her heart. In the dying moonlight, Rayne looked almost ethereal, achingly beautiful. Rayne was always stunning to look at from a visually shallow point of view, but now, Chase could see so much inner beauty within Rayne that she’d never been able to see before, beauty that Rayne had never allowed her to see.
Chase kissed her and guided her gently to rest against a tree. Real or not, the old woman voiced Chase’s fears that Turner probably wouldn’t think twice about ending them once he had what he sought.
At some point their meeting was inevitable, and there was no way to predict how that scenario played out. Chase didn’t want her life to end. She had no intention of giving in to Turner or Owen. But if the worst did happen…if they were captured and killed, Chase couldn’t die having never truly known Rayne.
“Chase…” Rayne broke away and put her fingers to Chase’s lips. “What are you doing?”
“What I’ve been wanting to do since we kissed at that hut.” Chase pushed her body against Rayne’s. “Will you let me?”
Rayne pushed back and grabbed Chase’s ass. “I thought you’d never ask. Yes. Yes, goddammit.”
Chase drew her hand through Rayne’s hair before clasping the back of her neck to pull her in for another kiss. The fire they’d started a few short days ago spread from Chase’s lips to her toes. All the longing, the uncertainty, the desire, and the wishing that Rayne could be the woman Chase needed, smashed together inside of her and melded into something solid, something real.
