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shooting with our bows. Not to sound arrogant, I was pretty good at it. To Austin ’ s surprise, I always hit the targets he thr e w my way.
    As m uch as I enjoyed our times together, nobody else visited me. Didn ’ t I have any friends? I couldn’t recall —didn ’ t they care? Maybe they wan ted to give me space .
    Straining my neck , I glanced up at the cliff. Austin stood there watching me. He ’d seemed a bit distan t lately. Maybe he , too, wanted to give me space. Maybe he needed some time to heal from the loss of Patrick. Maybe it was me who seemed distan t . Regardless, it was nice to relax at Island of Eden and bum around.
    Soaking in the sun for some time, the heat was finally too much to bear. I went into the tantalizing ly clear water and g o t my feet wet. Then I rolled up my jeans, stood up and headed straight for the cool water . Ahhh! The chill sent shivers down my spine as I walk ed further in.
    Raising my arms to the heavenly sky , I enjoyed the warmth the sun graciously gave. My wet jeans clung to my legs, but I didn ’ t care. The water reached my waist and I stopped , not comfortable going further.
    All of a sudden a heavy impact tumbled me in over my head. I struggled to find m y balance and just before I panicked , a hand pull ed me out. I inhaled a deep gasp and sp a t o ut a mouthful of salt water . H eavily irritated, I flipped my hair out of my eyes to see Austin with his arms around me.
    “ Are you crazy ? ” I yelled. “ What are you trying to do? Kill me? ”
    “ I…I thought you were going to… . ” He paused , looking at me with a confused expression , m ost likely second-guessing himself.
    I knew that gesture and the meaning behind it. “ You thought I was going to kill myself? ” His lips parted to speak, but I didn’t give him the chance . “ I may have sel ective amnesia , but I ’ m not crazy, ” I huffed , trying to release myself from his unyielding hold. Realizing my hands were resting on his muscular biceps , I blushed and glanced down ward .
    “ What ’ s wrong? Can ’ t handle being this close? You look pretty hot wit h your wet T-shirt. ” He arched his brows, giving me a sly smile, then drew me closer to whisper in my ear . “ You know you don ’ t have to get wet to get my attention. ” He chuckle d , knowing how to make me blush.
    My face flushed even more when I couldn ’ t think of anything clever to say f or a good come back. All I could do was giggle, shake my head with disapproval , and desperately try not to stare at his wet T-shirt clinging to every curve of his muscular chest.
    Feeling his heart beat next to mine raised goo se flesh on my arms and weakened my knees. In that moment , I had an overwhelming urge to kiss him. Was I always attracted to him? Or did I feel something for him because he was my guardian angel ? Maybe it was his friendly , flirtatious personality. It didn ’ t matter anyway ; venators were forbidden to have relationships. The Royal Council didn ’ t want us populating and taking over the human world.
    “ I ’ d like to get out of my wet clothes , if you don ’ t mind, ” I stammered , avoiding his gaze and trying to sound bold.
    “ You got it. Anything your heart desires , my shelter ed one. ” Unexpectedly he unfur led his beautiful , alabaster wings, scooped me off my feet , and flew us back to my room.
    When we landed, he told me he would take me around the island. N ever having toured the island, I flashed him a huge smile. Excited, I stepped into the shower. Occasionally, he would ask if I needed assistance , to which I would loudly reply “N o thanks , ” hoping he wouldn ’ t use the excuse of not being able to hear and try to step in the shower with me. Then he would really get it.
    After I got ready, I opened the double doors and saw Au stin standing there. His spread— out wings caught the sun ’ s rays as they radiated around him and through the layers of his wings. The vision was like an early—