Pinehurst

by Nicole Grane

  Chapter 15

  “What was that?” I jumped right into Antonio’s unsuspecting arms.

  “A scorpion!” He adjusted his grip on me, holding me tighter. “They’re highly venomous.”

  “Yes. They are.” Havoc grinned. Her beady little eyes glanced my way. “Fortunately they don’t sting pixies.”

  Of course they didn’t. Pixies were probably too mean! I clung onto Antonio for dear life. There was no way I was putting my feet on the ground. I hated bugs!

  Sweet heaven he smelled good. And I had no idea how muscled his arms were. They went on for days . . .

  Antonio’s cheeks flushed, no doubt hearing my mental thoughts. My already rose-coated cheeks burned brighter at the knowledge.

  “I hate to break up this little . . . whatever, but we have a long way to go.” Havoc’s haughty tone broke through my silent drool.

  I slid down Antonio’s frame, taking longer than necessary to release my grip around his neck. I don’t think he minded. His eyes were like endless pools of chocolate, begging me to jump in.

  Havoc cleared her throat. “You know, we have a two-day journey.”

  “A what?” I snapped out of my, I-wanna-kiss-this-guy-so-bad trance.

  “She’s right.” And just like that, Antonio handed me my pack and began walking away. “We have to travel across this desert, and cross a swamp before nightfall. The troll there is particularly lethal.”

  I stared after him, my heart thumping loudly for a whole other reason: “Troll? No one said anything about a troll—a real troll? How did you know there was a troll?” I shouted.

  Antonio kept walking, ignoring me I suspected. I looked down at Havoc. Her grin now resembled the Cheshire cat’s.

  “What’s so funny?” I snapped at her.

  “Funny? There is nothing funny, Child of Light. You may lose more than you bargained for. I hope this adventure is worth it.” She strode off in the direction Antonio had gone.

  I fastened my bag to my back and followed. What the heck did she mean by that? “I may lose more than I bargained for.” Of course this “adventure” was worth it. I wasn’t going to leave my dad stranded in this hellhole!