Page 42 of Defying the Relic Hunter

Battle armor sure made getting dressed easy. No more dithering over what to wear and it was the perfect support bra. My girls had never looked better.

Ethan wrapped an arm around me. There was a fleeting instant of blackness and poof! We were standing in Hilberto’s. The old donut shop was painted a glow-in-the-dark orange. The interior walls were covered with awful velvet paintings of matadors, tigers and Elvis. No matter the time of day, the Mariachi music was always a tad too loud.

The kid behind the counter didn’t even blink when we teleported in.

Ethan cocked an inquiring eyebrow. “Chorizo, eggs, potatoes and green chilies?”

“Add some coffee and it’s perfect,” I said.

Quinn and Xenia popped in.

My eyes widened at the fierce scowl on Quinn’s face.

Xenia elbowed him in the stomach. “Knock it off. Kizzy had nothing to do with me being kidnapped.”

“Nope, not a thing,” I said with a bright smile.

Ethan went toe-to-toe with Quinn. “Kizzy and her grandmother also kept the Thunder God and the ghoulies from eating Xenia. I’ve yet to hear a thank you.”

“The dead grandmother?” A cold rage burned in Quinn’s silver eyes.

I offered helpfully, “That would be her. If you want to meet her, I can summon her.”

“Not. Necessary. Thank you for stopping the Thunder God, but I’m still not clear on why you had to open a portal to hell.”

Xenia expelled a long breath. “When Quinn gets this way, he’s impossible.”

“It wasn’t a portal to hell. We helped all the trapped spirits pass over before they could tear us to shreds. And your nifty weapons are useless against them.”

“Good to know.” Quinn turned his attention to the menu.

Xenia rolled her eyes. “I apologize for the lunkhead’s manners. What are you getting?”

“The chorizo, eggs, potatoes and green chili burrito.”

“I’ll take one too.” Xenia eyes widened. “They have fried ice cream!”

“And their chocolate sauce is to die for,” I added.

“Dessert,” we cried in unison.

“Females,” Quinn groused.

While the guys got our food, Xenia picked a table with a good view of the street. “How long have you been able to talk to the dead?”

“Since I was three. My mom kept waiting for me to manifest some of her awesome talents, but it never happened. I can only hold an illusion for about ten minutes.”

“Hey, we share a talent.” Presto! A thousand butterflies filled the restaurant.

“I can beat that.” Montezuma did the Texas Two-Step around the table.

Xenia’s jaw dropped. “Is that Zarek?”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Your mate has a death wish,” Quinn commented.

Ethan raised his eyes heavenward. “Don’t I know it.”

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