“Why would you say that?”

“You said that the Diwata was only curious about me. But now—it doesn’t feel like that. It feels like it’s trying to frighten me. Was it—does it think I committed a—?”

“No,” I say firmly. “He won’t do anything to you.”

“But how do you know for sure?”

“If He had marked you as a sinner, you would be seeing visions like the others.”

Chase winces. “I mean, trees that try to tear out my throat seems like wanting me dead, right?”

“That’s not what it said.”

“Then what did it say?”

“Huwag mo siyang saktan. Don’t hurt them.”

He pauses. “Hurt…you? It thinks that I want to hurt you? I wouldn’t! I like you!”

His confession echoes through my ears. After a moment, he looks down, embarrassed. “I liked you the instant I set foot on this island. But I was worried about approaching you because I didn’t know if this was gonna be just some rebound. Rory and Jordan have been yelling at me to say something, and I wanted to, but every time I tried, I couldn’t. Plus, I figured you weren’t interested in me, anyway. But then Rory started convincing me otherwise, and then…” He raised his arms, sheepish. “Was that why? Because the god knows I feel something for you?”

I sigh. “No. It knows that I like you back.”

Chase gapes at me for so long that I think the creature actually hurt him. “No, you don’t,” he says reasonably. “You pushed me away. Not that you shouldn’t have. I moved too fast, and I didn’t think to ask you first. I’m sorry.”

“I can’t.”

“Can’t what?”

“Have a connection with anyone else.”

“But…why? Is it because of this island? Kisapmata won’t let you start a relationship?” His voice rises, disbelieving. “So it is jealous?”

I have to smile. “It’s complicated. If I left, He would have no ties to the people here. As odd as it sounds, He’s lonely too, and I am a good companion for Him. He’s used to reading my thoughts, easy for Him to reach out and find others. The illusions that some of the crew see are proof of that. He’s interested in you because He’s protective of me, and He doesn’t completely understand our relationship. So the easiest way to know what your intentions are, is to…”

“Terrify me?” A slow smile steals across his face. Askal watches us both, tongue out and looking oddly smug. “So, our relationship? You do like me?”

I swallow. “I—”

He raises his hands. “We don’t have to do anything. I respect your space, and I respect the island…this god’s, whatever’s, space. But once we get out of here…do you think…? I mean, it’s gonna suck since I’ll be in LA, but if I could call you—”

“It’s not about the distance. It’s—” I look out the window. “I have other responsibilities here that I can’t ignore.”

I wait for him to protest, to insist we’ll make things work between us. “Is it because of your father?” he finally asks. “You can’t leave because of him, too?”