Page 22 of Defying the Relic Hunter

Granny gave me a ghostly hug. “It is good your man has claimed you. Luigi has his men searching for you and Aldo.”

“But I’ve been exiled.”

“You also sent the video of Giuseppe’s failure for all the clan to see.”

“The Elders needed to be warned,” I said.

“I agree. Your actions were honorable, and your theft cleverly planned. Giuseppe came across as a fool.”

Four Coletti warriors in battle armor teleported in, gathered up the backpacks and vanished.

I looked around. No one was watching me. Maybe I could make it back to the truck and get a message to Uncle Aldo.

Ethan irritated voice sounded in my head.“You have no energy shield, no weapons and no water. How far do you think you’ll get?”

“Not far.”

“Exactly. If you make me chase you down again, I’m putting you over my knee.”

“I’m not six,”I retorted.

“Then stop acting like it. We can protect your uncle.”

“My uncle is a proud man. I doubt he will accept help from the Coletti,”I replied.

“The Overlord can be very persuasive.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.”There was no way I would subject my uncle to mind control.

“I have no desire to control Aldo’s mind. I need his talents to help my people,”Zarek decreed.

Granny announced, “The spirits have gathered.”

“Ok, let’s get this done.” Taking a determined breath, I pulled out the silver cross I always wore. It had been blessed by the Pope himself. My uncle thought it was superstitious nonsense, but it helped ward off things that went bump in the night. I held it tightly and chanted, “Miraculin sepulcrum ibidem solus novum. Domum rotundam vivtorie construxit!”

Granny Annabel added her strength to mine and a glowing portal appeared over the canyon.

The doorway’s iridescent glow drew the lost souls like a magnet.

“Go! Now!”I cried.

The spirits obediently ran into the light.

“You should go with them, Granny Annabel.”

“I will not leave you until I know you are safe.”

“That may never happen.”

The portal vanished.

If I didn’t find the treasure, maybe I could get a job as a medium. It was the one thing I was good at.

I glanced over at Ethan and Zarek. The stunned expressions on their faces was priceless. They were used to science and technology. Getting a glimpse of the supernatural had to be a bit of a shock. “It might be easier if you think of the esoteric plane as an alternative universe.”

Chapter Nine

My entire body hurt, and I was in serious need of a nap. Opening a portal always drained me. I plopped down on a broken section of the adobe wall and sighed when my grandmother sent a cold breeze my way. “Thanks, Granny.”

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