Dark Guardian - Moonlight Part 9

soured. I didn't know whether to be flattered that I had so much influence or irritated. "We won't."

"He sure is protective of you," Mason said as we headed just beyond the camp.

"He's protective of everyone. It's his job."

"You should have seen him streaking off when you were washed away. I've never seen anyone move

like that, almost a blur."

"Apparently he's some bada.s.s track star."

"Yeah, apparently so." We stopped when we were far enough away that no one would hear us. He

took my hand, the one that wasn't clutching the blanket. "I was going to race off with him, but Rafe held me back. There was no way I could have kept up with him anyway."

"That's okay. You were there when I needed you to be."

"I tried, but all the sherpas are so protective of you that they make me feel like an outsider." "It's okay, really." I hated that he felt so badly about all that-and that he'd wanted to be there for me, but the others hadn't let him. I knew he didn't feel completely comfortable around them. I figured it was because he was such an academic. He was pretty young to be in grad school already. He probably had an amazingly high IQ.

"So what came first-the wolf or the bear?" he asked.

"Is this a chicken-or-the-egg question?" I didn't bother to keep the irritation out of my voice. It seemed

like such an odd question.

"Seriously. I'm just curious. I mean, bears don't usually attack."

"Tell that to the Boy Scout who was attacked in Alaska a few years back." I suddenly realized that my

irritation with him was as stupid as his question. What did any of it matter? I was alive. "The bear."

"So there was a bear, and then a wolf came to your rescue?"

"I don't know that he came to my rescue. I mean, yeah, he chased off the bear, but maybe he just didn't

like bears." I tried to laugh it off. "Might have nothing to do with me. I'm not even sure he knew I was there until afterward."

"What did the wolf look like?"

This was getting so ridiculous. I tugged my hand free. "It was black."

"Just black? Like the one we saw last night?"

No, I thought. But I didn't want to tell him that. I didn't know why. I felt protective of the wolf I'd justseen. "What were you expecting?" He shifted his gaze to where the sherpas were still waiting around the campfire. Dr. Keane didn't tellus when to go to bed. I had a feeling that tonight, just to be obstinate, they'd stay up really late-and

probably not be quiet about it. "I don't know," he said quietly, "I thought maybe it would be a mixture of colors." He leaned toward meand lowered his voice even more. "Between you and me, I find it odd thatLucas didn't find you beforewe got there."What was he talking about?

I remembered the conversation he'd had with his father that first night. Was he thinking Lucas . . . was

thewolf ? That was just insane! Was this conversation really happening? Obviously, I'd suffered some oxygen deprivation while I'd beenunder the water.

"I think if Lucas was running fast and I was under water-which I was for a while-he could have lost sight of me."

"Maybe," Mason muttered. "There's just something odd about this whole thing."

"Whatever. I'm tired."

"I'm sorry. I didn't really bring you over here to give you the third degree. I was just curious. A lot of unexplained things happen in this forest."

"People play tricks on campers all the time, trying to freak them out. Like telling ghost stories around the

campfire."

"I guess." He smiled at me. "I'm glad you're okay. I was actually a little jealous thinking of Lucas coming to your rescue. I'm really glad he pulled that idiot move and went too far. Means he's not perfect."

I touched his arm. "No need to be jealous."

"Maybe we'll have that date tomorrow night."

"Maybe."

He leaned forward like he was going to kiss me. Then stopped. Probably because he felt the same thing

I did. Without even turning around, I knew Lucas was watching. I saw the determination light up Mason's eyes, and I knew he was going to kiss me. He wanted to do it to get even with Lucas for something. But I wasn't playing that game. Before he could turn his attention back to me, I said, "Goodnight"-and walked away.

This camp is on testosterone overload.

I was almost to my tent when Lucas said, "Hey, Kayla, can you join us for a sec?"

The words formed a question; his tone didn't. It was a command. I was physically and mentally exhausted. Still, I sh.o.r.ed up my reserves and trudged over to where he and the other sherpas were gathered. I wondered what was up with their secretive expressions. I had the feeling that whatever they'd been discussing, they didn't want the Keane group to know.

"How are you doing?" Lucas asked. True concern was reflected in his voice. I blinked back the tears that wanted to reveal my weakness. I was still trying to prove myself, not only to Lucas but also to the other guides. Lindsey gave me a rea.s.suring smile.

"I'm doing okay. I owe that wolf my life. You heard about that, right? With the bear?"

"Yeah, Rafe told me. Sorry I wasn't around to be more help."

"You never struck me as someone who would panic and keep running without looking back." Even as I said the words, realizing I probably shouldn't have said them with the other sherpas standing around listening, I knew they were true. Lucas didn't panic. Ever. He didn't make stupid mistakes.

"The water was going so fast that I thought you were farther down. I didn't think to slow down and make sure."

I nodded, even though the words didn't ring true.

"I'd leave the wolf a steak if I could," I said.

"I'm sure he'd appreciate it. Anyway, I called you over because we wanted to know if you saw anything-noticed anything strange on the riverbank before you started to cross over." Glancing around at the serious faces of the sherpas, I shook my head. "I had a second to glance back before I went under, but it was just shadows. Why would someone try to sabotage this expedition? It doesn't make any sense."

"We're not sure it's the expedition," Rafe said. "We're thinking it might be someone with a grudge against the sherpas, against us."

"That's not exactly true," Lucas said. "It's a grudge against me."

"Why would someone have a grudge against you?" I asked. "I mean, you're Mr. Congeniality."

His teeth flashed white as he smiled. "Cute."

Yeah, I thought,you absolutely are when you grin like that.

"So-seriously. Who would hold a grudge?" I asked.

"Devlin. He was a sherpa here last summer. He did some stuff he shouldn't have done, took chances, put campers at risk," Brittany explained.

"Lucas kicked his b.u.t.t," Connor said. He sounded so in awe that I was surprised he didn't give Lucas a fist b.u.mp.

"After which, Devlin took a hike." Apparently Rafe wanted to add to the story.

"But that doesn't mean he hasn't returned or that he's not hanging around," Lindsey warned.

Reflexively, everyone glanced around. It seemed strange that they were concerned about some slacker

sherpa from last summer. Why would he be here now?I was the newbie.I was supposed to be nervous.They weren't. It gave me a bad feeling about everything. "We'd know if he were around," Connor said. "Not if he stayed far enough back," Lindsey responded.

"Lindsey has a point," Lucas said.

"Not to add to the paranoia that's being stirred up here, but I keep getting a sense that I'm being watched," I told them.

"That's right," Lindsey murmured. "That first night, she was all spooked-"

"I wasn't spooked. It just felt like someone was watching. And last night, too."

"What about last night?" Lucas asked.

"When we were drinking the beer, I had a sense that someone was watching. I mean, I saw a wolf

later-"

"What color?"

"Mason just asked me the same question about the wolf that attacked the bear. Is there something going

on with the wolves in the park that I need to know about? You said they don't attack people." "They don't, but we've had some reports of at least one that warrants watching. So what color was the wolf you saw?" "Last night it was hard to tell. If I had to guess I'd say black, but it could have been just the night shadows. The thing is, Mason was with me last night when I saw the wolf. He said he saw the same wolf-or at least he thinks it was the same wolf-hanging around the night of my birthday party." "Mason was out in the woods during the party?" Lindsey asked. "And the wolf?" "Mason said he couldn't sleep. But I don't think he's what I felt watching me. I think it was the wolf, because I had that same creepy feeling last night." I gave a small laugh. "Of course, a wolf couldn't cut a rope, so I don't know that all this means anything."

Lucas exchanged a strange look with Rafe.

"What?" I asked.

"Devlin had a pet wolf," Lucas said. "If it's around, there's a good chance that Devlin is, too. Everyone needs to stay alert. We'll start posting guards at night. Rafe and Brittany, you're up first."

A few minutes later, it felt great to crawl into my sleeping bag. I was battered and bruised, but remarkably I hadn't suffered any major cuts or sc.r.a.pes. All in all, I'd been incredibly fortunate.

With that realization, my thoughts shifted to the wolf. I wondered if he was off somewhere nursing his wounds. Was there a female wolf waiting for him somewhere? Didn't wolves mate for life? Were they more loyal than humans?

"Kayla?" Lindsey whispered.

I rolled over without thought, groaning as my muscles and bruised skin protested. Last summer we'd shared a tent and talked late into the night. As much as I liked Brittany, I wasn't as close to her as I was to Lindsey, and I had a feeling Lindsey wasn't quite comfortable talking about everything with Brittany in the tent. "Yeah?"