is only the beginning,” Matt said, unknowingly echoing Vane’s words.
A crack of lightning streaked above us. Rain came down with a vengeance as we began our descent off the mountain. A sign told us we were in Ratnapura, the city of gems. About a hundred feet down, the stairs became very steep and we clutched the handrails for fear of tumbling over the edge of the mountain. Sheets of rain made the passage even more treacherous. I clung to a set of large chains riveted to the rock.
Matt touched the chains. "These chains were supposedly placed here by Alexander. They could be over a thousand years old."
"So thrilled to know," I shouted back at him. Usually, I loved historical tidbits, but not right now. Not when I was depending on the very thousand-year-old chains with my life. I muttered, "As soon as we survive this mountain, remind me to beat you with that cross."
Matt sighed. “I didn’t ask you to come along.”
I slipped on wet stone. Matt caught my arm to steady me. I shrugged him off and clutched the handrails tighter. It took three hours of painstaking footholds to get down the mountain. A white dome temple, the beacon of hope, nestled in a valley of mist tucked between the mountains and curtained by crisp, green vegetation came into view. Yet, I didn’t slow down to admire the sight. With each step, my anger at Matt grew. I couldn’t believe his nerve. He would never trust anyone enough and yet, I was the only one wrong.
I dropped my sodden backpack and collapsed under a covered bit of curb. We’d finally reached the bottom of the trail and a small walkway. The path led off the steps and into a sparse huddle of stores and homes, the last stop to get souvenirs. I even saw a T-shirt declaring, “I Peaked,” which would have been funny if I wasn’t too wet to smile.
Finally, I asked, “Now what?”
“We get back on the train and find out what the cross opens.” Matt peeled off his rain poncho. Wet hair hung over his forehead and the collar of his coat. His T-shirt was soaked against his lean chest, clinging to every hard muscle.
I told myself I wasn’t impressed. “It opens something?”
Matt discreetly took out the metal artifact and traced the curves of the cross. “Looks like a key to me.”
“We’re looking for a door. Are you telling the truth this time?”
Matt scowled. “Are you going to stop using me as a substitute punching bag?”
My jaw dropped. “I am not!”
“Vane’s good at pushing every button and you’re letting him push all of yours.”
My anger deflated like a punctured balloon. I stared down at my tennis shoes. The previously white laces and rubber lining were stained an ugly brown with mud.
Matt sat down next to me. “You’re stronger than him.”
“Am I? I never thought so.”
Matt’s shoulder brushed mine. “Maybe you should start.”
I raised a brow. “Maybe you should start telling me why you’re following Alexander the Great around on this island.”
Matt grinned. “Maybe you should trust me.”
I blinked, my gaze snared by his inky, amber eyes. “You smiled.”
His expression turned self-conscious. “Yes, I suppose I did.”
“Ryan, bear with me a little while longer.”
Picking up my cold hand, he squeezed it, and in the middle of the Sri Lankan jungle, surrounded by the smells of roadside egg rolls and hot chai, the clouds shifted enough to allow one single ray of sunshine to shine down on us. Maybe things weren’t so bad after all. I didn’t squeeze his hand in return, but I didn’t attempt to pull it back either.
“Where are we off to next, oh wise Merlin?”
Matt’s expression turned sheepish. “Ella.”
***
We never returned to the hotel. Not that it mattered; everything I owned at the moment fit into the small backpack I carried up the mountain. The train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella showcased rolling hills and colorful foliage with enough wild in them to spread out across the land in interesting patterns. Within two minutes of staring at the scenic vistas, I passed out from complete exhaustion.
I woke up with my head on Matt’s chest. A bit of drool spilled from the side of my mouth, smearing his coat. I jerked up and the back of my head bumped against the metal side of the train. I winced and wiped my mouth at the same time. My seat was beside the window and Matt sat next to the aisle. I mumbled, “You could have just