Page 9 of Her Two Dragons

Darius handed her the flashlight before he left, and she started to investigate the wall and floor next to where they fell, hoping to know where the trigger was, so that no others would make the same mistake.

A minute later, he returned with her water bottle, handing it over with a smile. “You’re really going to stay down here until Dr. Brighton agrees?”

“I’m not giving this opportunity up. There’s something about being down here, something that just feels right. I think I was supposed to find it.”

He sat on the floor, drinking from his own bottle before he asked, “What would your treasure be?”

“Knowledge.” Michelle didn’t even hesitate in her answer as she scanned the wall, looking at hieroglyphics that didn’t look like the ones found at other sites. “If I could have the Library of Alexandria to read, I still don’t think it would be enough.”

“Do you learn everything from books? Why not experience things?”

“Now you sound like my professors.” She chuckled and went to sit next to him. “I haven’t gotten a lot of opportunity to travel, to experience things. And there are some things I’d never get to try, not on my own. I’m never going to be a dragon slayer or a vampire or a knight or pilot an airship. I’m never going to see a dystopian future, where the whole world’s been changed. But in books, I can.” She shrugged. “I get to read about flying on the backs of great, giant dragons who breathe fire on their enemies. I get to live a million lives, in the pages of a million books. What’s better than that?”

“You would slay a dragon, if one stood before you?” Darius tilted his head, but his expression didn’t look curious. It almost looked nervous.

“Um, doubtful. Not unless there was imminent danger from the beast.” She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. “It comes back to history. Maybe the only reason we think dragon slayers were on the side of right, is because we never got to ask the dragon’s side of the story.”

“I never thought about it that way.” He shifted, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I suppose then you’d also be amenable to being the dragon?”

“As long as no one tried to slay me.” She laughed, staring at the wall in the dim beam of the flashlight. “But being here, getting to see all of this, is incredible. A once in a lifetime event, for sure.”

“It wouldn’t have to be, right? I mean, once you’ve learned everything there is to know here, there are sites all over the world, all sorts of cultures to learn about, to dig up old mementos from.” Darius cupped her cheek, and for a second, she was sure he was going to kiss her again.

Until she heard Khalid’s voice. “They’re down here. Michelle refuses to give up her claim on the discovery.”

Quickly, Michelle scrambled to her feet, ready to face down whatever flak was about to come her way.

“I had no intention of chasing her away from the area.” Dr. Brighton’s voice followed Khalid’s down into the room. “But I do need to get it set up, and I’d rather we check for any additional traps the right way, than have another one of my students fall through one.”

Michelle could feel the blush burning in her cheeks as she headed for the doorway. Popping her head out, she looked around at the piles of supplies and the group of people standing around the rim of her gridded square.

“It’s about time you and Darius made an appearance. Come out, I want to have the site med team look you over, just to make sure your boots aren’t hiding a sprain or anything, and then as soon as we have the lights up, we’ll do a walk through together.” Dr. Brighton didn’t look mad. If anything, she looked almost proud, like she thought the whole thing was hilarious. “Khalid, why don’t you make sure our very own Indiana Joneses make it to medical?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He smirked as he held his hand out to Michelle.

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