Tropical Dragons Series Box Set - Naomi Lucas Page 0,50

stumble down the slopes to the west that lead to the springs.

Within minutes of that first raindrop, the tribe fell into chaos. The clear skies of the morning vanished under clouds that gusted over our home, bringing with them an angry and wild surge of wind.

Following the path, I see the small waterfall up ahead that pools into the basin in the rocks, water that will eventually lead into the gulf. But it’s the deep cave beneath the pool that makes it a spring, and the water fresh and unsalted. A private, beautiful place hidden by large rocks and tall trees with sweeping leaves.

Branches shake and lower with the rain as Delina and Leith come into sight. Naked, under the falls.

Delina is against the rocky wall as Leith thrusts into her. My mouth drops.

I come to a stop next to Milaye, the tribeswoman guarding them.

“We need to go!” Milaye screams from the shore, but neither Delina or Leith hear her. Milaye flinches when she sees me. “They can’t hear me from under the falls,” she huffs.

Rain plops down on both of us as she says it. “I’ll get them. Go back to the tribe! They need help getting everything inside.”

She nods and jogs up the path. I pivot back to my siblings…

“Delina!” I shout, waving my hand, getting no reaction or notice from my sister.

A streak of lightning sparks through the canopy and without waiting, I dive into the water and swim to them. Under the falls within seconds, I grab Leith’s shoulder and tug him back.

They meet me with muted screams and one boyishly shocked expression.

“What are you doing!?” Delina cries, shielding herself. Leith wades back. I keep my eyes high.

“There’s a storm! A bad one. If you heard Milaye shouting for you, you would know. We need to get back to the village now!” My voice strains under the din of the water. I swim back to the shore without waiting for them to argue. Grabbing one of the hide towels they brought with them, I wipe myself down once. When I turn, Delina’s behind me tugging on her clothes, Leith doing the same. My eyes don’t stray because it’s apparent he and Delina didn’t finish.

“It was so nice a little while ago,” Delina whines but grabs her basket.

Leith picks up his spear. “It’ll be nice again. Let’s go. The tribe will need us,” he says. And with that, we head back.

When we get to the bridge, my mouth drops in horror. It’s thrashing from side to side, and on the other end, anything not bolted down is blowing in the wind.

Leaves from the trees fly everywhere, the rain has turned into a full-on downpour, and the lift is crowded with people as they head down with supplies and animals. Below us on the beach, there are others rushing inward to the sea cliffs bordering the jungle, and to the caves a short distance inland that becomes our shelter in emergencies.

“We need to get across!” I scream, looking back up. Milaye is on the other side of the bridge, facing us, with her sisters Ola and Panyia.

Thunder resonates.

“We’ll hold this end. Leave the basket behind!” she shouts across, wind chasing her words.

“Delina, you go first,” I say, taking the spear from her. “Leith, you follow close behind. I’ll go last.”

My sister gulps and nods, and I see her shake through the rain gathering in my lashes. She grips the rope handles with white knuckles and takes a step forward.

“I’ll be right behind you,” Leith tells her. Delina nods and slowly makes it across.

“Go,” I tell Leith when Delina reaches the end.

“You should go first.”

I shake my head. “No. You are far more important. You are needed—our salvation. I’ll hold the ties on this end. You have to go first.”

“Aida…”

Forcing a smile. “If you die, I’ll die anyway,” I say lightly. “The tribe would never forgive me.”

He nods stiffly but his brow is furrowed, worry in his eyes. He turns to the bridge and grips the handles, white-knuckled like my sister. “You’ll be right behind,” he calls to me.

“Yes.” I hold the ties.

Leith nods again and makes his way across, stopping whenever a gust shakes the bridge. When he makes it to the other side, I sigh in relief.

My turn.

Grabbing the rope for myself now, I hear snapping as a single fierce gust swings the bridge. Taking a step onto it, I’m immediately thrown to the side.

I hear a scream but don’t look up, trying to remain calm. Holding