Page 54 of Defying the Relic Hunter

“Ugh!” My nose wrinkled in disgust. The place stunk of sex, sweat, stale booze and despair. Moans and groans sounded from the rooms.

A look of revulsion on her face, Xenia groused,“Why in the Goddess’s name hasn’t Central Command or the health department shut this place down?”

“Too busy chasing after the Rodan, Earth First and the Dragos clan,”I answered.

“I’ll talk to Uncle Saul. He’ll get it taken care of.”

“Think he could force Ivan to clean this mess up?”

Xenia flashed me a wicked grin.“If he still lives, this is the perfect punishment.”

We crept silently down the hallway, avoiding the used condoms and beer cans. I paused at the door marked office and held my bracelet against it.Click. I opened the door and stepped inside.

A badly stained puke green couch was pushed up against a battered desk. The walls were covered with photos of people in explicit sexual poses. I twisted my head and examined one picture closer.“Whoa! Is that even possible?”

“Only if she’s double-jointed.”

A cold prickling ran up my spine. Shadows danced around the room and I felt an alien presence nearby. It was ancient, tainted with evil. Ghostly voices whispered in my head,Take us. I turned.

A neon sign cast a red glow over ancient, dust covered stucco warriors. All but one was cursed. Touch them and death would soon follow. It was the perfect trap for those foolish enough to hunt for Montezuma’s gold.

“Do you feel that? Something is urging me to take the stucco warriors. It’s promising me eternal life and great wealth,”Xenia’s eyes glowed faintly.

“It’s an alien asshole trying to trick you into touching the figurines. They’re coated in a hallucinogenic poison that’ll kill you within hours.”I walked over to the glass case and studied the warriors.

“Drekk. I can sense him now. His mental aura almost matches Adan’s.”

“If he’s Katanic, we’re screwed.”Opening the case, I carefully plucked a stubby little warrior holding a shield from the case and tucked it in my pocket.

“He’s coming,”Xenia warned.

A flutter of movement, a whisper of sound spun me around.

An elderly man with yellowing parchment skin and wearing a molting black wig watched me closely. The Best Whore House in Vegas was embroidered on his ratty, blue silk robe.

Was he the alien asshole?

The old coot held open his robe, exposing a skeletal body covered in open sores. “Like what you see?”

Xenia leveled her pistol at him. “Drekk, no.”

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” I commented weakly.

The old guy touched himself with pride. “I’ve got the biggest cock in Nevada.”

I shuddered. The old guy’s penis reminded me of a shriveled up, diseased carrot. “Really? You must be so proud.”

He laughed, exposing rotting teeth. “I’ll give the two of you a ride, you’ll never forget.”

“Oh… My…Um… I think I’ll have to pass,” I gulped.

“Playing hard to get, huh?”

Xenia bared her teeth in a snarl. “Do you want to die painfully old man?”

An image of a young, virile man popped into my head. I shared it with Xenia, and I took a hasty step back.“The alien’s controlling him. This fool touched one of the warriors and believes its illusion. He’ll be dead before dawn. I’ve got what we need. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Xenia nodded and backed away slowly.

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