When Arminio returned to the spot on Wednesday morning, the tracks had disappeared and the search remained unsuccessful until the following day. The temperatures in Brazil were similar to those in Sicily, and he loved the heat. However, the high humidity made his robe cling uncomfortably to his skin. A fine mist pervaded the jungle at his next location. He ignored the beads of sweat because he no longer cared about external circumstances. He had to find her before she noticed him. Surprise would give him the advantage. The blue-violet circle led him to his next destination.

A rainbow rose from the waterfall. Trees leaned over the riverbank and children swung on a long rope before diving into the lagoon below with shouts of joy. Although the scene was charming, Arminio could not spot the person he was looking for among the adults present. However, he was captivated by the lightness of the moment. Brazil had an incredible diversity of flora and fauna — at least, that was what he had noticed more and more frequently over the last few days. Enchanted, he gazed at the cascades plunging into the river. Speechless, he stood on the riverbank, watching the scantily clad Brazilian women jump into the water.

“Ah, it's the fire frog,” chuckled a voice behind him.

“Fire frog?” he replied mockingly. Arminio recognised Lorelia's unmistakable heat signature even before he looked over his shoulder. He took a sharp breath.

The drawing he had received from Thiveus did not do her justice. The Amazon, whom Arminio was now examining closely, took his breath away. Her dark hair was braided into countless thin plaits, from which blue parrot feathers hung. Wearing a tight leather bustier and skirt, she revealed a lot of skin. Her legs seemed endlessly long. He tried not to show any emotion when he noticed the fresh scar above her left ankle. Why hadn't she gone to the healers?

Lorelia tilted her head slightly to one side and smiled. “Yes, the fire mage who has been hopping through the jungle like a frog with portals for days. Given how clumsily you move, I expected an acolyte.” She put her slender index finger to her lips. Graceful as a cat, she strode towards him.

Arminio was reassured by the fact that she was wearing the insignia belt. However, the high-quality fabric did not quite match her clothing. She had attached gemstones to it with leather straps and added two pockets. His gaze lingered too long on her hips, and he cursed as he felt himself growing hard. He folded his hands casually in front of his robe and stood with his legs slightly apart. “You must be an Indocta; otherwise, you would greet me with the respect I deserve.” Instantly, Lorelia's eyes narrowed to slits. Nobody likes to be called uneducated, and he was curious to see how she would react.

“Magister,” she greeted him reverently, bowing her head and glancing briefly at the floor. “I would like to address you correctly, but I do not know you.”

The fire mage lifted his chin and looked her up and down conspicuously. 'I am Magister Arminio Cavallaro, capitano of the Roman Gendarmerie. And you are?”

“Journeywoman Lorelia.” A smile played on her lips. “Cavallaro? Are you related to Furio?”

“Yes, he's my brother. Have you already met?”

“No, but Glandera often spoke of her love affair.” She pursed her lips coquettishly, raised an eyebrow, and examined him closely. “The Cavallaros have a certain reputation.”

Arminio lowered his voice. “I'm more talented than Furio.”

Her gaze lingered on the rope tied to Arminio's mage's belt. Her heartbeat quickened, and he would have loved to read her thoughts. Slowly, the earth mage moved closer. She looked at the fire mage with her fawn-brown eyes for what seemed like an eternity, then brought her head so close to his that the feathers in her braids touched his hair.

“So, is that you?” she whispered in his ear.

A pleasant shiver ran through his body. When he looked at her again, she grinned broadly. Luckily, Lorelia hadn't noticed his slip-up. This was probably because she was enjoying his racing pulse all the more. Arminio cursed inwardly as he sank into her brown eyes. The young woman in front of him knew exactly how to use her charms. She also smelled seductively of campfire. There were many different varieties of this smell. Hers was a mixture of fresh wood, dry grass and forest leaves. The scent of freedom. Lorelia slowly pulled her head back, turned around, and took a few steps forward. Given this body language, any other woman would have been grabbed by the wrist and pulled back towards him.

“And why would a Roman captain come to Brazil, Magister Arminio? Surely, not to enjoy the view.”

He stared at her bottom with pleasure as he thought of an answer that wouldn't be a lie. “I'm searching for something valuable.”

“Oh.” She turned back around. “Are you looking for gems? Perhaps I can help you?”

“You know about this, don't you?” His gaze fell on her belt.

“Yes.” Then she frowned. “But you've been searching the whole area for days and haven't lifted a single stone. You choose your words very carefully so that no one catches you lying.”

The corners of Arminio's mouth twitched upwards. She was more cunning than he had expected. “Allow me to explain the situation calmly, Journeywoman Lorelia. My area of expertise is finding missing persons, and I...”

Her eyes narrowed instantly and she interrupted him. “I was afraid of that. My father sent you.” Lorelia took another step back. “Let me guess: he offered you a finder's fee.”

“Naturally. It is customary for me to be remunerated for my services.” Arminio sensed the blood pumping faster through her body and her muscles were tensing.

“Be quiet!” she replied angrily. She made a gesture that Arminio knew all too well. 'I don't think much of the men who work for my father, and you will never take me back to him.'

“Lorelia, listen to me!”

But she had already disappeared through the portal.

“Lorelia, please! I just want to talk to you.” Arminio didn't expect her to turn back, and if he pressed her, he would be just like her father. He had no choice but to give up, which hurt his ego more than he cared to admit.