Destined to Fly: An Avalon Novel (9 page)

M
artin finally arrives back in Ljubljana, slightly weary after more than 48 hours in transit around the globe. The weather makes a pleasant change from the humidity of the jungle; he has never really understood why people like to spend their holidays sweating and baking under the sun — give him skiing and trekking any day.

He grabs a sugarless, double shot macchiato before jumping into the hire car to make his way to Lake Bled and Salina. Pleased he is finally back in communication with the world, he connects his phone in the car and makes the calls that will bring him up to speed.

It’s a relief to hear that Interpol is finally taking Dr Blake’s abduction allegations seriously. Until Leo organised for his contact in the FBI to get involved, they had been refusing to consider that one of Europe’s most respected executives could have gone so spectacularly
rogue. Finally, the evidence they packaged together has fallen into the right hands and he will have the official support he needs to bring this woman down.

Martin’s first stop is a meeting he has organised with the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior. The ministry has appointed a local liaison officer to coordinate between the various authorities, and given the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has an international partnership with them, it should reduce any red tape considerably, smoothing the path for Martin’s team. He has also been informed that they have the on-ground support of a National Police Force special task squad should he require additional resources.

Leo gave him the green light to use every means at his disposal to ensure Blake and Quinn’s reputations remain intact, and that is exactly what he plans to do. Salina has made great progress and he knows Leo will be pleased now that he has the Ministry’s commitment and the ground support of the police. Given they had no knowledge of Xsade’s secret facility, they have also alerted other departments to start investigating tax fraud and evasion in their country.

Things are certainly not stacking up very well for Jurilique. Her previously immaculate corporate reputation is beginning to collapse like a house of cards and Martin knows they are very close to her demise. It’s the first time he has allowed a smile on his face for a very long time as he updates Moira with the latest details, as is procedure.

Martin has been trying Salina’s number since his
arrival and is a little concerned she isn’t answering. She is one of their best European operatives and has been instrumental in getting this case to where it is now. During their time together trying to locate Alexandra, he became very fond of her and, if Quinn hadn’t been with them, Martin suspects something may have happened between them. In this job, neither of them have much chance to form liaisons with others, but if they had the time and opportunity who knows … Martin, his focus always on the job at hand, knows that Salina, like him, wants to see this bitch fall and fall hard for what she has put them through, justice or no justice.

He finally makes contact with Luke, the junior operative working with Salina, who confirms she had managed to find access into Xsade two days ago and re-entered the underground facility early this morning. Before re-entering she contacted Luke and said that she had discovered they were having an orientation training session for their new inductee scientists and planned on joining the group, disguised as one of them. It was the only way she could get into the facility, as her explorations had come to a dead end without higher security access.

‘When did she leave?’

‘She left at 6.00 a.m. so she’s been gone almost nine hours now. I’m assuming she’s in, but I’m not sure whether she has merely been unable to contact me or if she’s been taken.’

‘But she always keeps her phone on, yes?’

‘That’s right. We’ve had no luck trying to gain access — it’s like an impenetrable fortress. And as it’s underground there’s no guarantee our phones will get a signal. But as last reported, we have confirmation that both Votrubec and Jurilique are currently inside.’

‘Blake says she believed she must have accessed the facility via the hospital, because she wasn’t taken anywhere else and only escaped via the boathouse with Josef’s security pass.’

‘Correct. Salina was scouting both areas in an attempt to gain entry. We were able to acquire a security key from an employee who refuses to undergo any more testing on behalf of the company. He’s feigning sickness to avoid going in.’

‘I’m assuming Salina is armed?’

‘Of course.’

Martin shakes his head. ‘I don’t have a good feeling about this. She would have been in contact with us by now if everything was okay.’ He pauses for a moment to assess his options while Luke waits on the line. ‘I’ll organise for police backup to be on standby in Bled, just in case. Meet me at the hospital and we’ll agree next steps from there.’

A
n environment as rich, thick, colourful and bountiful as this is difficult to describe. It’s as if we have arrived in the midst of the heart and lungs of the earth. It’s overwhelming. Everywhere I look is teeming with life; foliage is the greenest of greens; the flowers and multicoloured birds are brighter than anywhere I have seen. It’s as if I’m seeing everything for the first time through a special fluorescent lens. I have the sense of suddenly feeling like an insect in a land so vast and massive that it’s almost impossible to gain any perspective. The sounds of the jungle almost drown out our voices, as if we are rudely interrupting nature’s conversations when we speak. I breathe in the intoxicating freshness of the air. My lungs have never experienced anything so pure; it immediately energises my body, which is hungry for more of this invisible feast.

Leo has built a small village of elaborate and luxurious huts scattered around a main building which resembles the other Avalon I visited at the end of my weekend with Jeremy. There is no ocean here, we are embedded in the fertility of the dense jungle which is littered with streams and tributaries that no doubt lead into the massive river system that feeds the mighty Amazon river. The sound of water trickling is never far away, like tiny bells tinkering in the wind. I feel like I’ve landed in the jungle version of the Faraway Tree and half expect to stumble upon Moon-Face or the Saucepan Man. This place is pure magic, its energy flows right through my body, enhancing my mood and enlightening my spirit.

Surprisingly, we settle in very quickly to this new world. We go for walks on tracks that need to be remade and hacked out with machetes after each wet season and we are situated near the most gorgeous water hole to swim in, already a favourite pastime for the kids. It has a waterfall and a natural water-slide and is surrounded by water lilies and the vibrant sounds of nature. The water is cool and fresh and provides great relief from the humidity and heat of the day.

It’s difficult for me to consider the imminent threats I faced in my old world as I eagerly immerse myself in this one, happily distancing myself from any potential danger my children and I face. Every time the headlines in Madame Jurilique’s letter pop into my mind I resolutely push the thought aside. There’s nothing I can do about it now. I’ve put my trust in Leo and all
I can do is see it through. Who knows, it may have already begun and I’d be none the wiser, so I continue to embrace this ‘unreality’ while it lasts.

Our diet consists mainly of fish, vegetables and fruit sourced from the jungle, with plentiful treats such as sweet berries fetched from the trees … and we’ve even adjusted to the bitterness of the chocolate made from cocoa beans. Our food looks like a festival dancing on our plate with so many rich, diverse colours competing for attention. The kids love the taste of maracujá ice cream and tapioca and are having a ball climbing to reach the purple grape-sized berries from the açai palm trees. They haven’t asked for any fast food yet so hopefully the abundant supply of
papas fritas
, otherwise known as chips, is keeping them sated in the short term.

We’ve been practising meditation and yoga exercises each morning and evening as though we are on an extended family health retreat and we feel happy, vital and alive. Our delight in this no-technology, simplistic, healthy style of living surprises us, except for Leo of course, and even the kids have taken naturally to having a siesta. We eat when we are hungry, sleep when we are tired and play when we are in the mood. I have no complaints about going with the flow, as I don’t remember ever feeling this content in my life. The days meld into nights and the nights into days, and just as Leo requested I have no real sense of time
or how long we have been here. Living this lifestyle, it becomes absolutely irrelevant. I’ve never experienced such a sense of timelessness in my life and I feel myself soaking up the experience of being where there is no such thing as a deadline.

As I’m swinging in the hammock from the balcony of the main house, I notice Leo and Jeremy walking outside fully armed.

‘My goodness, where are you guys off to with all that?’

‘We’re having guests for dinner tomorrow, so we’re killing a pig.’

‘Good grief, have you ever done that before?’

Leo smiles. ‘I have. Jeremy assures me he’s good with a scalpel.’

‘Are the others going to help?’

‘Adam? No way, not quite his style. He’ll eat it, he won’t kill it.’ Like so many of us in the world, I think.

‘Robert’s at the water hole with the kids. We weren’t sure whether you’d want them around,’ Jeremy adds.

‘Oh, right …’

‘Don’t look so shocked, AB, you know this is where food comes from.’

‘I know, but…’ I can’t help thinking of a documentary I saw a few years back where some mother pigs were confined in their pens, unable to move freely, as their piglets suckled on them constantly. I have only eaten free-range pork since. I shake my head to remove the disturbing image. ‘Oh well, at least I know they are — were — happy pigs. So who’s coming, anyway?’

‘A few senior members of the tribe, maybe a couple of others. They’ll be taking us to the shaman. It’s our first meeting before our journey commences, a celebration of sorts.’

Well, this is certainly news to me. ‘Does it involve me?’ I ask, naively. They both chuckle in response.

‘Sweetheart, it’s all about you, that’s why we are here,’ Jeremy says with a smile and a sense of the unknown in his eyes.

‘Should I be worried?’ I yell out as they walk away toward the animal pen.

‘Not in the least, but you must be there,’ Leo calls back.

Right, well, that clarifies things … or not. I lower myself back into the hammock as they wander off to hunt and slaughter in the pig pen. As much as I try, I can no longer concentrate on the book I was enjoying moments ago and the butterflies that have been lying dormant in my stomach recommence their flight.

The next night is full of festivities after a day of preparation on all our parts. Our guests have arrived, five in all from the Wai-Wai tribe. Two elders and one young man, one teenage boy, and Yaku, an apprentice medicine man, who appears to be somewhere in the middle of the bunch age-wise and can speak a little English. Their dress is partly casual western, partly native. They are all wearing camouflage-patterned, or khaki, cargo trousers, some with black singlet tops, some without, but their upper bodies are painted traditionally and they are adorned with headdresses of varying leaves and feathers.

Their small-statured bodies are muscle-toned and they look extremely serious until their giant white-toothed smiles illuminate their faces against their darkened skin. The shaman, referred to as Yaskomo in their native language, rarely travels from the village. The elders, who are said to share some of his magic, are to take us to him when the time comes.

The concept of timeframes tends not to exist in the same way here as it does for us in the western world, with everything happening when it feels right rather than at any pre-arranged time. I imagine the notion of meeting a deadline is just not understood in these parts, which in itself makes life so much less stressful.

The pig is sizzling on the spit over the fire and there are plenty of vegetables roasting underneath. After we have eaten, we relax and enjoy their local music. The beat of a tribal drum, a wooden flute and a guitar keep us entertained as we celebrate the coming together of our unlikely gathering.

Leo has been studying their language for the past few years and assists in translating between our groups. Elizabeth and Jordan are quite taken with the teenage boy who has travelled here with the men. He is teaching them some of his tribal dances, they are teaching him the macarena. They are having lots of fun and it’s wonderful to see them communicate so effectively without the use of a common language. Global lessons for adults in the art of the unspoken word!

They are happily sharing their
água de coco
with each other while the adults, or should I say, the men and
myself, are drinking beer, or
cerveja
, or aged
cachaça
, a local alcoholic drink made from distilled sugar cane. We haven’t had any alcohol since we left Florida so it’s going straight to my head. The locals suggest adding sugar and lime juice, essentially transforming it into a
caipirinha
, which makes it easier to swallow and a rather refreshing cocktail, particularly in this humidity. Mind you, I only dare sip it and slowly at that. The party is in full swing around our campfire and we are singing, laughing and learning a new fused style of dancing.

Eventually the festivities die down, the live music fades into the background allowing nature to reign in this rich part of the world. The kids are bundled on top of some straw matting with their new friend, having fallen asleep. I notice Leo is in deep conversation with two of the tribal elders; there is no question he is intrigued with their world. Robert and Adam are next to one another, enjoying the fire and the last of their local cocktails. They have their hands on each other’s knees — the first public display of affection I have been witness to. Their togetherness makes me smile, as does mine with Jeremy. We are swaying together, arms wrapped around each other, as the remaining locals play soft music, or perhaps I am swaying and Jeremy is keeping me balanced. Either way, it feels fantastic being able to be with him like this.

All the troubles and dramas of recent weeks have faded into a dark spot in my mind and I feel like I’m almost home as I nestle comfortably against his firm,
warm chest. Jeremy raises my chin toward his face with his index finger.

‘You look more relaxed and happy than I’ve seen you in a long while.’

‘Very observant, Dr Quinn, and that’s because I am.’ He bends down to kiss me ever so gently on the lips. I feel like I could literally float away with the sensations this one gesture provokes.

‘I love seeing you like this. There is nothing that makes me happier.’

‘Well, let’s just stay like this. Forever, if we can.’

Even in the dim flickering light of the fire I can’t help but notice the small frown creasing his brow at the hope in my words. It’s as if he wants to give me the world but knows he can’t right now.

‘What is it, J?’

‘You know this can’t last forever, sweetheart, don’t you?’ He searches my face before continuing. ‘The elders’ presence here indicates the next step in the journey that Leo has been talking about.’

‘Yes, I know,’ I say reluctantly. ‘I’m just putting it out of my mind until it happens, and thankfully, right at this second, my mind is fully occupied with other thoughts.’ I slip my hands beneath his trousers and cup his butt.

‘Oh, really, Dr Blake? And what might they be?’

‘I’m sure you could hazard a guess.’

I stand on my tiptoes and engage him in a longer, almost indecent extension of his earlier seductive kiss. Being under the stars, by the fire, with the music,
dancing and drinking has sent my carnal desires for this man into overdrive. I can feel him swell against my belly. If we were alone right now and I had my way, we’d be writhing around naked paying sexual homage to the gods. Unfortunately, for so many reasons, we are not in that position.

‘Christ, Alexa, I’m going to have you drag you inside this second if you keep that up.’ Jeremy’s eyes scan the rest of the group. He seems relieved to find no one is paying us any attention.

‘You won’t be hearing any complaints from me,’ I say, both cheekily and seriously.

He shakes his head with a smile on his face, takes firm hold of my hand and drags me off to say goodnight to everyone. Adam and Robert are equally as wrapped up in their own world as we are in ours. I give them both a quick kiss on the cheek and a wink and then I’m guided over to Leo and the elders.

‘Perfect timing,’ Leo announces. ‘Would you care to join us for a moment? We have just been making the final arrangements.’

The sexual energy pulsing in my groin takes an instant dive straight down my legs and escapes out my toes before I can even blink. I try to pull Jeremy subtly toward the house, silently relaying my preference to retreat quickly to our bedroom, to no avail.

‘Sure. Of course.’

They shuffle around so we can join their gathering by the fire. I look anxiously toward Leo, whose eyes, once again, give me a sense of calm and take the
edge off my nerves. I honestly have no idea how he is capable of that but regardless, it works, and I make myself comfortable in a chair.

It is at this point I understand that Jeremy’s commitment to Leo, in relation to my embarking on this journey, is absolute. He will not say no to Leo, just as I cannot say no to him. It’s an intriguing dynamic that unfortunately I’m not given a chance to explore right now.

The tribal elder says something to Leo in his native tongue, which Leo translates. ‘Alexandra, would you mind standing for a moment? The elder would like to feel your forest energy.’

At this unusual request I look at Jeremy and Leo, who both nod, encouraging me to do so. I stand and the elder steps toward me. He is slightly smaller and stockier than me, and places his palms on the bare skin of my shoulders with his head lowered toward the ground.

We remain like this for some time until I feel his pulsing warmth connect with my body. As this occurs, he looks up until our eyes connect and we remain standing silent and unblinking. I suddenly feel as though the ground is shifting beneath me and I’m off balance. It’s as though I could stumble and fall, but his gaze provides me with an equilibrium that keeps me firmly anchored. As quickly as this feeling comes upon me, it immediately disappears and he removes his hands from my skin. My mouth opens in shock, but I don’t speak, unable to break the momentum of
whatever just happened. He takes my hands in his, turning them this way and that, as if he is sensing me rather than studying me or looking for anything in particular.

As he releases me, I feel paradoxically energised and tired and I ease my body back down into the chair. Jeremy reassuringly holds my hand, yet has a quizzical look on his face, while we wait for the elders and Yaku and Leo to consult with each other. After a few minutes Leo turns to us.