Page 35 of Defying the Relic Hunter

Zarek turned his attention to my grandmother. “Did the Thunder God try to drain your energy?”

“He cannot draw from the dead,”Granny replied.

At Ethan’s confused expression, I added,“Basically Granny is ectoplasm and her type of spirit draws sustenance from dark matter. When she’s around you’ll get EM spikes on your scanners.”

“Gotcha.”

An edge of menace in his voice, Voss announced,“Any being capable of draining a Katanic cannot be allowed to live.”

“I agree. The Thunder God has killed thousands,”Granny said.

Ethan scowled.“I’m surprised he hasn’t gone into Phoenix for more victims.”

“If the Thunder God leaves the Cavern of the Damned, he dies,”Granny replied.

It was amazing how Granny could surf theesoteric plane for information like I would the internet.“So, we figure out a way to draw him out.”

“I concur.”Zarek tapped his bracelet and a detailed map of the Superstition Mountains appeared on the viewscreen. “Where does the Thunder God perform these ceremonies?”

“His sacrificial chamber is beneath the main cavern.”Granny floated up and pointed to a small cave.“The walls are lined with human skulls.”

Voss rubbed his scar.“Did you see this sphere?”

“No, but I could sense it.”

“Battle stations!”Zarek snapped suddenly. A second later alarms wailed. The warbird shuddered violently.

I grabbed the table to stay upright. “What’s going on?”

“Bjarke warriors have boarded the ship,” Voss snarled and vanished.

Ethan shoved a laser pistol into my hand. “Stay put.” He teleported.

“I exchanged startled looks with Granny.“They must have a death wish.”

“The Thunder God is desperate to recapture Adan. The battle with the wraiths severely weakened him. He must feed soon, or he will cease to exist.”

“Attacking the ship was boneheaded move. Adan isn’t here,”I said. In my mind’s eye I could see Ethan hacking his way through the Bjarke warriors. His skill with a sword made Zorro look like a wuss. My guy was a total bad ass.

Blood curdling battle cries sounded in the hallway.

Shit! Was the door locked?“Why don’t you go out there and say howdy Granny.”

“An excellent idea.”She walked through the wall.

The battle cries were replaced by startled shouts.

“Leave or join the dead,”Granny thundered.

The Bjarke warriors opened fire.

I hit the deck as energy beams punched through the wall. The idiots were going to breach the hull if they kept this up.

A whistling noise caught my attention. Crap.

The computer announced:“Hull breach deck three.Hull breach deck three.”

A Bjarke warrior managed to pry the door open. He stuck his pistol into the room and fired wildly.

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