The jungle enclosed Charlie in a symphony of honking, chirping, clacking, screeching, rustling, and croaking. She inhaled deeply and grimaced. The sweet scent of orchids did little to mask the odor of decaying vegetation and stagnant water. After ten paces she faltered, lurched to a halt, and eyed the dense greenery with a shiver. Sure, she’d visited exotic locations for travel articles, but this one was—different. Undercurrents of pulsing energy prickled her skin.
