Page 74 of Love in the Wild

The man waved a hand dismissively. “A treasure of a people that history itself has forgotten. Fair game, as you Americans would say. And he alreadyfoundthe treasure, long ago. It’s how he started his fortune. But there was so much more to find. However, Holt has never been able to return there. Not in twenty years. And not for a lack of trying.”

Eden raised an eyebrow at this, but she said nothing.

“Holt has come to believe that something is preventing him from finding the cave, sending him around in circles. That is why he sent people with no connection to it instead. But that attempt was thwarted by your primitive friend. Holt does not believe that was by accident either.”

“What are you saying?”

“What is it that Shakespeare once said? ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’ Holt believes there is something in that jungle that is beyond anything any of us have dreamt of.”

“That’s ridiculous. You’re saying the jungle has some kind of magical power?” Eden had begun to wonder that herself, but she wouldn’t dare tell this man that.

“I am saying nothing. I am simply doing a job. But Holt believes it. And I think, perhaps, you do as well.”

Eden tried not to think about all the times Thorne had talked about his strange dreams or how he seemed to understand the animals. The man smiled as if this somehow confirmed his hypothesis.

“Rest, mademoiselle. You have a busy day tomorrow.”

* * *

“Where is Eden?”Thorne demanded. The house had become quiet since the guests had left, but there was still no sign of her. He had last seen her with Isabelle, but she was not with her now.

“She’s not with you?”

“I have not seen her since I attacked that man.” He would not say Holt’s name. Monsters did not deserve names.

“Eden?” Isabelle called out. When no one answered, she turned back to Thorne. “She was supposed to be getting changed upstairs. Perhaps she’s still there?”

Thorne rushed up the stairs. Something was wrong. Eden wouldn’t have left him alone for so long, not after what had happened.

The bedroom was empty. No hint of her scent in the air, no evidence that she had been here in the last few hours. Thorne met his uncle and aunt back at the stairs.

“Did you find her?” Isabelle asked.

“No.” Thorne tried to ignore the worried hum inside his head, like a hive of bees had been disturbed.

“Call the staff. Let’s search the house,” Cameron suggested.

They divided up, enlisting the servants to help search the grounds. A maid’s shout brought them all running to the ground floor. The young woman held up a piece of paper.

“I found this in the Green Bombay drawing room, Lord Somerset.” She handed Cameron a slip of paper. His face turned ashen as he read it.

“What does it say?” Thorne demanded.

Cameron cleared his throat.

“You will take me to the cave, or I will destroy all that you love. Meet me by the plane in two days, or I’ll leave her body in the jungle for you to find.”

“Holt,” Isabelle whispered. “But how? I saw him leave.”

“There was a lot of confusion with the guests departing. He no doubt snuck back in and lay in wait.” Cameron closed his eyes and rubbed them with his thumb and forefinger.

Thorne was only half listening. His body shook as he tried to keep his rage and fear at bay. Eden was at the mercy of the monster who had stolen Thorne’s family from him and left him to die.

“I must go,” he said.

“We’re coming with you,” Cameron said, a hard glint in his eyes.

“Too much danger.” The last thing Thorne wanted was to lose the rest of his family. “Get me to my jungle. I will do what needs to be done.”

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