9
PARADISE ISLAND
LATE AFTERNOON
It was like walking onto a barren lunar landscape. The lush sheltering trees ended abruptly, and gave way to huge gray boulders that jutted up from the rich dark soil. Only coarse lichen and a few tiny flowers dared to brave the stark vista.
“We’re not going to find any food here,” Mac commented, touching a patch of dried moss. It crumbled beneath his restless fingers.
“Five different sections.” Conners’ sunburned forehead creased in a baffled frown. “Five totally disparate environments. It’s like somebody split this island into quadrants, and cultured it like a giant Petri dish to see what would grow in each sector!”
His shocked stare made her realize how fanciful she’d sounded, and she tossed him a quick apologetic grin. “Okay, I’m getting punchy. A
