Page 48 of The Night Island

“Makes sense,” Luke said. “Are you okay?”

“No anxiety attack yet, if that’s what you’re worried about,” she said, irritated. “But stay tuned.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

She did nothave an anxiety attack during the night.

Talia was still marveling at that the next morning as she stood at the breakfast buffet, trying to decide if she wanted two slices of the polenta, feta cheese, and eggs casserole or two eggs Florentine.

Under the circumstances, she thought, the fact that she had slept rather well was astonishing, considering what she had been through recently. Maybe she had simply been too exhausted to succumb to anxiety. But she suspected the reason she had enjoyed a panic-free night had a lot to do with the knowledge that she was not alone.

Luke had apparently slept soundly, too. If he had experienced any nightmares, he had not awakened her with them.

She settled on the polenta, cheese, and eggs dish and was reaching for a serving spoon when the storm struck with startling force.

A metal object clattered on the floor behind her. She turned quickly and saw Marcella Earle lean down to retrieve a fork.

“Sorry,” Marcella said. “Caught me by surprise. I didn’t know there was a storm due today.”

“Neither did I,” Talia said.

But strictly speaking, that was not true, she thought. She had awakened from a restless sleep with the feeling that fierce energy was gathering in the atmosphere. It was as if Night Island was a giant magnet that was attracting the forces of nature.

She had attributed the premonition to her imagination, but now she wondered if her psychic side had picked up the wild currents of wind and rain a couple of hours before they had materialized.Something wicked this way comes.

She glanced out the window, wondering if Luke had been caught outside when the deluge hit or if he had made it into Keever’s cabin first.

Oliver Skinner grunted. “This is what comes of being cut off from the internet. You can’t even get the fucking weather forecast.” He helped himself to the last croissant on the tray. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve had it with the Unplugged Experience. First a dead guy in those creepy gardens last night and now a storm? Forget it. The food’s good but it’s not worth the weirdness. I’m leaving on the noon ferry.”

Octavia appeared from the kitchen. She had a tray of replacement croissants in her hands and a forbidding glare in her eyes. “There are no refunds for bad weather conditions.”

“Who cares?” Oliver stuffed half a flaky croissant into his mouth. “I just want off this island.”

“I’m with you,” Marcella said. She shuddered. “That dead body last night was just too much. And now this awful weather. I’m leaving today, too.”

Jasper Draper spoke up from the coffee and tea bar. “I’ll be surprised if anyone gets off this island today. I’m told the tides around here are tricky enough in good weather. What do you want to bet the ferry cancels?”

As if on cue, Clive Venner emerged from the hallway that led to the office. “I just got off the phone with the charter people. There won’t be a ferry run today, and maybe not tomorrow, either. There’s an atmospheric river moving in, and Night Island is directly in its path.”

“Fuck,” Oliver muttered.

Marcella groaned. “Seriously? And here I was wondering how things could get worse.”

“Things can always get worse,” Oliver Skinner assured her.

Marcella glared at him.

Clive cleared his throat. “I think that, under the circumstances, we will cancel morning meditation.”

“Oh, hey, that’s a great idea,” Jasper muttered.

Clive scowled. As far as Talia could see, the expression had absolutely no impact on Jasper.

“I urge you all to enjoy your breakfast,” Clive continued. “There are cards, books, and board games in the lobby. Allow yourself to slow down and relax in front of the fire. Open your mind to the power of nature and remember that all things are connected.”

He turned and went back down the hall. Octavia watched him leave, her jaw tense, her posture rigid.

Talia tried a smile. “The risotto last night was absolutely amazing, Chef. In fact, everything you’ve served us has been incredible. Any chance you might write a cookbook one of these days?Recipes from the Unplugged Experience?”

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