Steven gave her a patient smile. His plate showed a lot more moderation than hers. “I asked how you got interested in this.”
“What, food?” Because food was all she cared about right now. Perhaps the others could brave Kholat Syakhl while she stayed here with the borscht and blini.
“No, the weird stuff. Monsters, UFOs, ghosts. The paranormal, I guess you’d call it.”
“Actually, it’s more unsolved mysteries that intrigue me. I like to keep an open mind. The rest of it comes with the territory, I guess.” Nat wondered why she had to explain this if Steven was such a fan of her show. If he’d listened to every episode, wouldn’t he know this already? “When someone has had something incredible happen to them, something not a lot of people would believe or even understand, they naturally gravitate to a receptive audience. I try my best to be that audience.”
“But why? What made you interested to begin with? Did something happen to you?”
Nat stifled a sigh. This was what it was about, this dinner—getting to know each other, becoming a team. But she wished Steven would give it a rest and eat his meal for a few minutes. His constant focus on her was making her self-conscious. Still, it would be rude to ignore him.
“Not really. That is, nothing major. I’ve definitely been in places that have a feel about them, something that gives you goosebumps and sets your teeth on edge, but beyond that and the odd unexplained sound, I haven’t had a paranormal experience myself.”
“Unexplained sound?”
“Yeah. You know, doors closing by themselves. Rustling, bumps in the night with no explanation. Pretty standard ghost tour stuff.”
“But you’d like to experience more.”
It was a statement, not a question, but from the way Steven stared at her, Nat knew he expected an answer. She thought for a moment, taking the opportunity for another bite of blini, this time with mushrooms. Mmm. Who knew Russian food was so tasty? She’d expected a lot of cabbage and potatoes, and not much else.
“Enjoy it while you can,” Andrew muttered, as if reading her mind. “Starting tomorrow, it’s dehydrated spaghetti and astronaut ice cream.”
Ick. She wasn’t looking forward to the food at camp. Never mind the terrain—the cuisine, or lack thereof, would be the thing to survive.
“You’d be surprised. A lot of the food in those foil packets is actually really good,” Lana said. “Especially after a long day on the trail. You’ll think it’s the best meal you’ve ever had in your life.”
“And Joe and I will supplement our meals with fresh meat,” Anubha said. “I’ve brought my crossbow. We’re ready to do some serious hunting.”
“Fresh meat roasted over a campfire. There is nothing better,” Igor said, and everyone murmured in agreement. Everyone except Steven. What was wrong with this guy? Was he one of those strange “eat to live” people?
“Sounds like we’ll be living like royalty up there,” Nat chimed in, eager to bring the one-on-one with her dining companion to an end. Normally she was more than happy to answer questions about the cast, but there was something about Steven’s scrutiny that made her long for a shower.
“We’ll be suffering enough on the trail. No need to suffer in camp. If we get lucky, Anubha makes a roasted rabbit that will blow your mind,” Joe said.
Andrew reached for another kebab. “Sounds good to me.”
“I’ve never eaten rabbit before.” Lana wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know if I can eat something that’s cute and fuzzy.”
“What about lamb?” Igor gestured at the half-eaten skewer on her plate. “It’s cute and fuzzy.”
“That’s lamb? I thought it was beef!”
Everyone laughed at Lana’s exaggerated expression of horror. Again, everyone but Steven. Lana had clearly taken on the role of comedic relief in their group, whether intentionally or not. From what Andrew had told her, the blonde was actually super sharp. Nat couldn’t help wondering if the dimwitted Marilyn Monroe persona was an act.
“So you think only cute animals should be allowed to live? You do not think cows are cute?”
Uh oh. Nat suspected Igor was just goading Lana, but this conversation could quickly take a dark turn. Joe stepped in before she could.
“Let’s move on. We’re all friends here, right? No one’s going to be forced to eat anything. There’s no pressure. Anubha and I will catch what we can, and we’ll be happy to share it with whoever wants it. But we won’t think badly of you if you don’t.”
Andrew nudged her arm. She knew what he was thinking. The diplomat. There was one in almost every group. Nat was glad theirs was Joe. Before she could pat herself on the back too much, though, Steven spoke to the group for the first time that evening.
“That’s a bit presumptuous, don’t you think?”
Lana’s rosebud mouth fell open. Even Igor was speechless. Only Joe appeared unfazed by the mountaineer’s rudeness. “I’m sorry… what’s a bit presumptuous?”
“Saying we’re all friends. The truth is, we don’t know each other. And up on that mountain, things are going to get very real very fast. It’ll be every man and woman for themselves. I’ve seen it before.”
“That’s not a positive attitude,” Lana said. “Maybe we don’t know each other well yet, but we will by the end of the week. And I hope we’ll be friends.” She smiled around the table. Anubha smiled back.
“I’m not here to be positive. I’m here to survive. I suggest that be your focus as well, if you want to last until the end of the week.”
Nat inched farther away from Steven, until her thigh was pressed against Andrew’s. Ugh. Her first impression had been right. This guy was a jerk.
“I know you’re very experienced, but with all due respect, this isn’t Everest,” she said. “Our survival isn’t in question.”
“Are you deluded? You’re all acting like this is some kind of celebration, stuffing your faces and swilling the moonshine. Have you forgotten what we’re here to do? Have you forgotten what happened to those people?”
“Of course we haven’t forgotten. That’s why we’re here,” Anubha said.
“I’m sorry, but maybe some of us are grateful to be given this chance, and to be here in Russia.” Lana frowned. “I, for one, think it’s a wonderful opportunity, and I’m glad to be a part of it. If you can’t appreciate it, why are you here?”
Good question, Nat thought. Why are you here? A Category III trail obviously poses no challenge for you, so why do it?
“Appreciate it? Appreciate it? Am I the only one here who’s not suicidal? Why would I appreciate risking my own life?”
“No offense, Steven, but we’re hardly risking our lives. It will be challenging, yah, but you’ve survived worse and are here to tell about it. What are you afraid of?” Igor asked.
“What am I afraid of? I’m afraid of the same thing that killed Dyatlov and his people. And if you’re not…” Steven glared at each member of their group in turn. When his ice-blue eyes settled on her, Nat found it impossible to look away. “And if you’re not, you’ve got a death wish.”
~ Chapter Four ~
The chill in the air was nothing compared to the coldness within their group. Shit. Nat had hoped a good night’s sleep would restore some of the cheerful optimism that had existed before Steven’s outburst, but it was soon clear it hadn’t.