Page 30 of Dark Island: Rescue

Annani observed the exchange with a smile playing on her lips. It seemed that the two had relaxed a little after sharing the burden of Esag's vision with her, or maybe the whiskey was starting to do its thing.

"Your idea has merit, Esag, but we need to be smart about how we approach this. First, however, we need to find out whether Tula is indeed pregnant and wants to be rescued."

Esag sipped on his whiskey-laced tea. "The vision felt urgent. Not immediate crisis urgent, but time sensitive. Like we have a window, but it's closing."

"It might be the progression of the pregnancy," Annani said. "The further along Tula gets, the harder it will be to hide it. And once Navuh knows, she will be guarded even more closely than she is now."

Tula would be watched constantly, her every movement monitored to ensure she carried to term. Any chance of escape would vanish.

"I should call Anandur," Wonder said. "He's with Kian in Safe Harbor. They need to know about this."

"Wait," Annani said. "Let me confirm the situation first. We should not start mobilizing resources based on a vision that might be symbolic or might be of the future rather than the present."

Wonder's jaw clenched stubbornly, reminding Annani of the young Gulan's expression when she had been told she could not do something. "It's not symbolic. Esag's visions are real."

"I am not doubting the vision," Annani said gently. "Iam saying we need more information before we act. On Wednesday, I will ask Areana about Tula, and if she does not know, I will insist on speaking with Tula directly."

"That's two days away," Wonder said. "A lot can be done in two days, at least planning-wise. It took months to plan Carol's infiltration and her extraction."

"Two days will not make a difference, and Kian has enough on his plate right now without adding this."

Esag set his empty cup down. "Annani's right, Wonder. We need information before we can act."

Wonder groaned. "I'm not suggesting that we start mobilizing forces or anything. What harm could it do to speak with Kian? He could delegate it to Turner, who can start strategizing."

Annani nodded. "I will consider that. I might mention Esag's vision to Kian when I speak with him next and leave it at that. He will decide what to do with it. What I can tell you right now is that a direct assault on the island is out of the question. We are not powerful enough to wage war against the Brotherhood."

"I know that," Wonder said. "What can we do?"

Annani raised her hands in the air. "I am not a strategist, my dear friend. Let the experts figure this out."

After Wonder and Esag left, Annani took the carved figurine of Tula in her hand. The girl she remembered had been fierce and brave, always ready for adventure, always eager to prove herself. That girl had become a woman who had chosen to stay with Areana rather than accept freedom when Carol offered it.

And now she was pregnant, trappedin a nightmare.

"What have you gotten yourself into, little one?" Annani murmured to the figurine.

She thought about calling Kian immediately but decided against it. He had enough on his plate with Safe Harbor, and besides, she needed to think before she called him.

She cared about Tula's fate, but naturally she cared about Areana more. If they somehow managed to rescue Tula, what would Navuh do to Areana when he discovered her betrayal? Because he would discover it. When Tula disappeared—however they managed it—he would know Areana had been involved.

Their love, as twisted and incomprehensible as it was, might not survive this.

Worse, Areana might not survive Navuh's wrath.

12

EDGAR

Edgar woke to the sensation of heat radiating against his side. It wasn't the comfortable warmth of Angelica's petite, curvy body pressed against his, but something that was concerning if not alarming.

Her face was flushed and damp with perspiration, confirming his suspicion that something was off.

"Angel?" He touched her shoulder. "Angelica?"

She mumbled something incoherent and shook her head as if she was arguing with someone in her dream.

He put his hand on her forehead and found it burning.