Stars of Fortune (The Guardians Trilogy 1)

“Oh, if that’s Rocky and Bullwinkle, this could be love.”

Sawyer laughed over at Riley. “Alumnus of Wossamotta U. Tricks and illusions, escapes?” he asked Bran.

“That’s right.” Bran held up a coin, turned his hand, vanished it. “It pays the bills.”

“Very cool. So, what now?”

“It could be we ended up here so we’d hook with you,” Riley speculated. “But you were heading in the same direction.”

“Felt right.”

“Yeah, it feels right.”

“The drawing you made of the beach, the moon,” Bran said to Sasha. “It wasn’t of Sawyer, but a woman. From the back, yes, but the body type, the hair, it’s clear she’s the one in your other drawings.”

“I’d like to see it again,” Sawyer said. “And you’ve got more?”

Sasha rose. “Yes. I’ll get them.”

“You’re not going to eat that?” Riley gestured to the half sandwich.

“No, I couldn’t.”

“I can.”

“Where do you put it?” Bran wondered. “You eat like a bird—as in triple your own weight.”

“Fast metabolism.”

“I’ll do my share, clear this up, while Sasha gets the drawings.” Sawyer pushed away from the table, turned to the view of the sea. “Beats the hell out of pitching a tent.”

“I hear that,” Riley agreed, and bit into the sandwich.

* * *

They spent more than an hour going over the sketches, discussing theories, locations they’d tried—except for Sasha—stories they’d heard.

Then Riley announced she was giving her brain a rest, and trying out the pool.

“Resting the brain’s a good idea,” Bran decided. “It’s been an illuminating couple of days.”

“I wouldn’t mind getting my bearings.” Still Sawyer picked up a sketch of the woman they’d yet to meet. “Do you think she’s really this hot?”

“That’s how I see her.”

“Can’t wait to meet her. I’m going to wander around.” Sawyer got to his feet again. “I like to have a better sense of where I am while I’m there. The pool looks good. Might end up there.”

“Plenty of room. Regroup later?” Without waiting for an answer, Riley strolled back into the house.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a team on this. It’s been interesting so far.” With that, Sawyer wandered off.

“Your sense about him?” Bran asked Sasha.

“Oh, Sawyer? Adores his grandfather—that’s a tight bond. Optimism. I get a strong sense of optimism, and a strong sense of purpose. I don’t like to pry,” she added, “but it seemed we should know. There’s something more to him—I don’t know what—but I didn’t get any . . . evil. I guess it’s not too strong a word, considering. I don’t get anything dark or evil. In fact, so much the opposite.”

“You trust him.”

“Don’t you?”