Page 6 of Awakening Storm

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Rhianna braced herselfagainst the onslaught of the next gust of wind that beat against the helicopter. It had been two days since she’d left the States, and now they were flying to the deserted island of Tsuriairando, in the heart of the Dragon Vortex.

“Be ready,” Hedai, the chopper pilot said over his shoulder. “I want to get in and get the hell out. These haunted waters are cursed.”

“That’s what all the locals have told me,” she admitted. The reason for their unease was clear: no one traveled willingly to this area. Too many people didn’t come back.

“Because it is true, Miss,” he said.

Suddenly the helicopter pitched off its mark by several feet. The pilot swore in Japanese and circled around, making adjustments on the descent. Below, the waves slapped against the sandbar that jutted off the south end of the island. She was to be dropped off here. Evidently, it was the only section of solid ground devoid of trees and dense vegetation.

“Are you sure you want to head out today? Can you handle the weather?” asked the chopper’s copilot, Steve, seeming far more concerned about her welfare than the TV show’s director and host had been.

She flicked a glance at Savage, who was sitting beside her. “I’ll be fine,” she answered, adjusting the waterproof GoPro on her head. The camera and a satellite telephone would be her only connection to the team and the outside world once they dropped her off. She inhaled deeply, her heart tripping in her chest.

Three weeks. Alone. To discover if the boogeyman actually existed in the Dragon Vortex.

Savage placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “People will tune in and watch because they want to feel connected; they want to be there. They want to feel what it’s like to be on an island, alone, in a place where so many have died.” He squeezed her shoulder harder. “Give them a good show.”

She nodded, the nervousness growing in her stomach.

The helicopter wobbled from left to right as it descended farther. Rhianna clenched her hands into fists, anticipating the touchdown; she wished she could see out the door. At least then she’d know how close they were. Finally, the landing skids settled lightly onto the sand, and the sinking feeling in her stomach let up. She exhaled a sigh of relief. That was far more controlled than she’d expected.

Steve slid open the side door of the helicopter. The wind came rushing in, striking her face and whipping her hair out of the bobby pin it had been secured with. When she swiped her hair away and resecured it, she got her first view of the island.

Swiss Family Robinsoncome to life. It reminded her a little of New Zealand. She’d like to go there someday, too . . . if she survived this.

Savage slid to the edge to help her out—and so he’d be in view of the camera.

“Okay. Out you go,” he said.

Her heart hammered faster, but she chased any doubts from her mind. She scooted to the edge of the chopper and quickly climbed out. Her feet sank into the sand as water gushed across her shins in waves, exacerbated by the helicopter’s gusts.

Savage thrust a canvas supply satchel toward her. “Here’s your survival bag.”

Her arm sagged as she accepted it. “My goodness, it’s heavy.”

“It includes the extra batteries for your electronics and a solar recharger, so keep those dry in the waterproof bag,” he ordered. “You won’t get any replacements, so take care of them. And you’ll need to ration your food.”

She nodded. Another wave of apprehension washed over her. Man, she hadn’t recalled those details from the briefing. What else had she missed?

As he dipped back inside the chopper, Savage yelled, “Oh, and remember, if you need help, you can contact us via the Sat phone. We’ll be stationed on the yacht not far away but, you know, out of the danger zone. We should get your GoPro video via Livestream.” He gave her a thumbs-up.

She returned the gesture, indicating she was all set.

Then she ducked her head and hustled away from the chopper, following the sandbar. When she was clear, she stopped and glanced back. It rose and flew away. She stood transfixed, watching it disappear out to sea.

Even through the whir of the wind, she could hear her heartbeat thudding in her ears. She swallowed hard.

Too late for second thoughts, Rhia.

The program was more of a reality-show expedition about why people disappeared than a show that wouldactuallyallow her to die, she reminded herself. She would be one of the few whodidmake it out of the Dragon Vortex.

Eventually, she noticed the lap of the surf against her legs. The waves were rough, sending sets of whitecaps rolling over the sandbar. She turned and tromped along the sand to the shore, her running shoes creating a suckingkerplopwith every step.

Reaching the shore, she took stock of her location. From this vantage point, the sandbar was easy to spot, but judging from the dense vegetation up and down the coastline, she doubted that would be the case when she was traveling from the opposite direction, from the inland out. She’d have to remember that when she was making her way back here to be picked up when the twenty-one days were over.

She chewed her lower lip. The sky was full of nasty-looking clouds, making it impossible to determine the placement of the sun to get her bearings.