The Survivor - Page 78

“But it will be safer, and we don’t know how the unicorns will adapt to a new place.” She smiled. “Though we have great hopes for them if they managed to survive not only Silvana’s and her Amazons’ world but a couple thousand years here in this valley.”

He started up the hill toward the tent city. “But they had Silvana’s caretakers to guard them.”

“They still have a caretaker,” Maya said. “I’ll be here until the last one is transferred to safer ground. Then I’ll go to the new haven and make certain all is well with them.”

“And then?”

She met his eyes. “By then I hope that we’ve found a way to save the island and all the villagers who live here. Somebody out there must want to help them. Cade does, Riley does, you do. There have to be other people who can change minds and make it happen. In the meantime, I’ll do my duty and be the best caretaker that Silvana could ever want.”

“It might be the most difficult job a caretaker could ever undertake,” Kagan said. “And you may not be qualified for it.”

“I beg your pardon?”

He chuckled. “I’m not insulting you. But while I was in the hospital ‘tottering,’ I was thinking that you might need someone to lighten the load occasionally. Like Bailey did for me with those sketches. You have a tendency to be a little grim and serious, but I bet you can still go out and save the world if you find something to smile about occasionally.”

“I’m not grim. I don’t appreciate you saying that.” She made a face. “But I admit I am serious. Still, I have Bailey to lighten any load.”

“That’s a big load for a kid.” He smiled. “But it’s no load at all for me. That’s why I decided to spend half my time here on the island doing unicorn duty and filling in when things might not go splendidly. The other half I’ll be with Cade and Riley trying to change those minds you mentioned.”

“I don’t need you here.”

“I didn’t expect you to admit to needing anyone at any time. But there were times when we were fighting to keep Bailey and Riva alive that it wasn’t the question at all. We reached out to a point beyond and now we can’t go back. Though heaven knows where it will lead us. You know it as well as I do.” He reached out his hand to her. “And none of it really matters now. The question isn’t if you need me here. It’s do you want me here.”

She looked down at his hand. It was a strong hand, and yet there had been so many times when it had been so gentle with Bailey and Riva and her. Just as his expression could be so fierce one minute and yet dissolve into laughter the next.

“I wouldn’t think of obligating you in any—”

“Stop dithering,” he interrupted. “Answer the question.”

“I was getting to it.” She looked him straight in the eyes and then she reached out and took his hand. “Like it or not, you’re not getting away. You’re damn right I want you here, Kagan!”