There was even a palace. They said the buildings looked like they were being lived in up until about a year ago but that it appeared the people just left for no reason. They’re saying that even though there’s an advanced infrastructure—” He stopped and looked at Gunnar. “That’s the roads and water and sewer systems and stuff.”
Hell, maybe the kid felt hairy chests and intelligence were mutually exclusive. “Thank you for explaining that.”
Shiloh looked back at Katy. “Anyway, they said it seemed like an advanced civilization even though they didn’t have electricity or any modern technology, but in other ways, it appeared ancient. In fact, the scientists think that carbon dating—”
He stopped again but Gunnar held up his hand. “Thanks, but I actually know what carbon dating is,” he drawled.
Shiloh shot him a scowl then looked at Katy. “They think carbon dating is going to show that the buildings are thousands of years old, and that’s why people started calling the place Atlantis.” He frowned. “But what’s that got to do with Mr. Wolfe being a mythical warrior?”
Gunnar caught himself actually leaning forward in anticipation.
“Because Mr. Wolfe is from Atlantis,” she said, beaming Gunnar a bright smile.
That was the island in the northern Atlantic she kept talking about? Wait. So, did that mean the former life she kept talking about was him being a mythical warrior?
“It’s okay if Shiloh knows your secret,” she assured Gunnar. “He can see and talk to angels, and you used to travel through time and kill demons with your sword.”
Yeah, well, he hoped the kid didn’t want to see his sword, because he couldn’t for the life of him remember where he’d left it. And if he could travel through time, then why wasn’t he zapping back to . . . oh, three hours ago and killing that demon bear with his sword? He cocked his head at Katy. “You told Shiloh I was one of you. So, what’s your magical claim to fame?”
That made her smile vanish and her gaze drop to her lap.
“Katy sees other stuff,” Shiloh piped up, only to frown at her again. “But the day we met on the plane, you never told me what you see.”
“I see . . . I can see what’s wrong with people,” she murmured.
“You mean you can see their auras?” Shiloh said. “Like if they’re sick, the energy around them looks all angry and red or something?”
“No, I can see—in my mind—exactly where they’re injured.” She looked directly at Gunnar, her chin rising defensively. “And because I’m trained as a paramedic, I can help them.”
That was a big, bold . . . half-truth if he ever heard one.
Then again, it was her lie, so he guessed the woman was entitled to make it as outrageous as she wanted. The only thing he couldn’t figure out was why she’d started telling it to Shiloh over a week ago on the plane. Well, unless she hadn’t wanted to hurt the boy’s feelings when he’d told her he could see and talk to angels.
So, did he break his rule about not lying to kids and play along, or did he . . . what? Destroy Shiloh and Katy’s budding friendship, which the boy obviously needed? That wouldn’t exactly advance his relationship with Katy, now would it?
“So how come you don’t just look in your mind to see what’s wrong with Mr. Wolfe’s knee and fix it?” Shiloh asked. “Then he won’t hurt, and we can get out of the woods quicker.”
“I did look,” Katy said. “And because his knee is only bruised, there’s really nothing for me to do. Our bodies are quite good at healing themselves, Shiloh, and I’ve discovered that sometimes it’s better not to interfere.” She looked at Gunnar again, her eyes lighting up like a fogbank at sunrise. “And sometimes all it takes is a kiss.”
Gunnar dropped his gaze to her mouth. Dammit, he didn’t know if she was talking about her reviving Tux or the kiss she’d promised to give him for saving Shiloh. Hell, forget dodging and darting down the trail chasing a leaf; if Katy kissed him right now, he could probably fly the three of them back to Inglenook just like Superman—another hero of mythical proportions.
Okay; he might finally be getting a handle on Miss Katherine MacBain, in that she was a beautiful, capable, compassionate, and occasionally avenging angel and a beautiful, lying, flirtatious enchantress. And he liked that. In fact, the next time Robert MacBain was in