Page 13 of Defying the Relic Hunter

Shaking off the urge to yell, ‘take me I’m yours’, I snorted rudely instead. “Nice try asshole, but before you waste all your time and energy; you should know, I’m a psychic dud. Just ask Giuseppe.”

“Your mother was a powerful psychic. You will be too.”

“Unfortunately, I take after my father’s side of the family. Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Ask anything you want. I’m an open book.”

That I found hard to believe. “Why did you give up your humanity to become a Coletti hybrid?”

“I had just gotten my master’s degree in archaeology and was starting my quest to find Montezuma’s treasure when the Tai-Kok attacked. The world went to hell and it was either fight or die. Earth was on the verge of being annihilated when the Overlord offered us a way to save our world and we took it,” Ethan stated.

“So, at heart you’re a Boy Scout?”

“No, I’m a warrior. I will do what’s necessary to keep our people safe.”

“No matter the consequences?”

“No matter the consequences.”

Not a big surprise. All the members of the Jones clan were dyed-in-the-wool patriots. I reluctantly typed in the code to disable my comm-link. If I got into trouble, I was on my own. I wouldn’t even be able to call Superstition Mountains Search and Rescue for help. “Goodbye, Ethan Jones.”

“Don’t do anything stupid. People die in the Superstition Mountains all the time.”

My stomach clenched. Ethan was right, but what choice did I have? He was too damn close to finding me. I pressed send. The lights on my bracelet flickered and the comm-link died.

A short time later, I found the cacti in my vision. The spine pointed down a narrow path littered with boulder-sized rocks. Standing in its meager shade, I gulped down a protein bar and several mouthfuls of hot water. My energy level was flagging big time. Now I knew why so many people never made it out.

Granny Annabel popped in. “You should wait for your man. The place you seek is full of angry spirits.”

I eyed her Indiana Jones outfit complete with whip. “I can deal with angry spirits. Ethan’s another matter entirely. I’m staying as far away from Coletti warrior as I can.”

“You have roused the hunter in Ethan. He will not stop until you are his. Accept your fate.”

“You don’t get it, do you? He doesn’t wantme.”

“Only true love will bring you what you seek.”

I rolled my eyes. “Stop already with the mystical crap.”

“Ethan is your destiny.”

“Destiny, my ass.”

“Remove your bracelet and he will come to you.”

“Yeah, to put the handcuffs on, and cart me off to jail.” Adjusting my backpack, I headed down the path and a cold chill skittered down my spine. This place was definitely haunted.

Ancient hieroglyphics covered the white canyon walls. My unease grew as I sloshed through small pools of brackish water.

Granny Annabel suddenly yelled, “Be aware of the Serpent!”

I froze and watched a rattlesnake slither away. “Thanks.”

Crumbling adobe walls caught my attention, I walked over for a better look and every nerve in my body went on red alert. Dozens of bloody backpacks littered the interior. I crossed myself and backed away.

“The dead cannot rest until their souls are freed,” Granny announced.

Out of nowhere all the terror from those who had died here slammed into my mind and it took every shred of power I had to control it.

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