Aitu (The Telesa Series)

Prologue - The Teine Sa.

Prologue

Marc Blair was hiking up a mountain on an island in the South Pacific. Heat was a blanket of humidity that choked slowly as he navigated a pathway through the thick greenery, stopping every so often to check his GPS. If it weren't for the constant hum of mosquitoes he would have stripped off his shirt a long time ago. As it was, his clothes were soaked through with sweat. It was like hiking underwater. He paused to drink from the canteen in his backpack. The tepid water did nothing for his thirst but he gulped it hungrily anyway. Then he turned to look back over the vast expanse of island spread out before him. At least the view was worth the hike.

Magnificent.

The guide he'd hired had refused to accompany him past the last ridge, muttering some garbled story about curses and spirit demon women. But it took a lot more than superstition to stop Marc and he'd brushed aside the vehement warnings and left the man behind. This section of forest wasn't included in the land description and Timona had blanched when Marc had wanted to check it out. Three hours later and Marc had made note of all the significant landmarks and features that could be utilized in the final resort design.

The deal to lease the mountain had finally been signed a week ago and as Marc gazed across forest and hills, he was exhilarated. The plans were all drawn up and work on the project could start in the new week. In six months the resort would be complete and ready to open for business – the first one in the Blair Resorts global chain that would be entirely his brainchild from concept to finish. It would be a forest themed project built entirely in symphony with the existing terrain. He could see it now. The tree house villas, winding pathways, canopied walkways high up in the massive trees and conference rooms that hugged the cliffsides, looking out over the spectacular ocean far below. There would be birdwatching bungalows, white water rafting on the busy river he'd mapped and mountain bike trails for both cyclists and runners. It would be a combination of luxury and extreme adventure, the first of it's kind in the entire South Pacific – and unlike the other one ninety two Blair Resorts worldwide, it would be all his thanks to his hefty investment. Eco-tourism was the buzzword of the future and Marc was going to maximize that wave to its fullest.

He was smiling as he checked his watch. Hmm, it's getting late. He would need to hurry if he wanted to get back to town before dark.

Marc was focused on the trail and retracing his footsteps, so he almost didn't hear the woman's voice. He ignored it at first, mistaking it for a distant bird's cry. But then it came again, wafting and winding through the trees, curling around him like a soft sensuous embrace.

He stopped in his descent, paused, listened. What is that?

It came again. The unmistakeable sound of laughter. Lilting light and playful.

"Hello?" he called out. "Is someone there?"

Abrupt silence. Even the forest creatures seemed to still and there was a halt to the rustling of the afternoon breeze through the multi-layered greenery. He shook his head. Must have been a mistake. There's nobody out here. Once more just to be certain, he raised his voice and called, "Hello?"

This time there was an answer. The vibrant tones of a woman's voice, strong and assured, "Hello?"

There was a crackling of twigs and branches as someone or something made its way through the undergrowth.  For one ridiculous moment, Marc felt a shiver of apprehension down his spine. Then just as quickly, he shook it off. There were no predators in Samoa – nothing beyond centipedes and the odd stray mongrel dog. That was a key factor in his choosing to situate the resort here. He had nothing to fear.

Get hold of yourself. He gave himself a mental shake and laughed under his breath. Too much listening to the natives rubbish about demons! He squared his shoulders and made his way towards the approaching sound. He'd only taken two steps however when she appeared.