Page 73 of Defying the Relic Hunter

I heard Ethan repeat my instructions to someone.

The Executioners jumped on Asmoday’s back and started chomping like hungry tigers.

Asmoday’s inhuman shrieks echoed around the cavern. Rolling over and over, he managed to dislodge the Executioners. His tail stretched out reaching for the jade snake.

Oh, hell no. “Ostium fluminis sont ibidem solus novem!” A bolt of energy exploded from my hand and hit the jade snake, knocking it away. Whoa! I just did that.

The Executioners’ gaping maws tripled in size.

Instead of making a run for it, Asmoday attacked them.

I watched in disbelief as the Executioners sprouted tentacles and wrapped them tightly around Asmoday.

Asmoday ate one of the Executioners andkablooey! In a gory eruption of flesh and icky green blood the Executioner erupted from Asmoday’s stomach.

A spine-chilling wail broke from Asmoday as he disappeared down the Executioners’ gaping maws.

A brilliant orange glow popped into existence. A minute later, Ethan and Adan jumped out of a spinning vortex.

“Ethan!” I scrambled to my feet, took one step and did a face plant. “Ow.”

“You’re gonna be the death of me.” Ethan scooped me up.

“Never.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re stuck with me until the end of time.”

Ethan retracted my helmet, took one look at my blood-covered face and sighed. “I can’t leave you alone for minute.”

“Hey, this is first time I’ve ever been shot, and you know crazy shit happens to me.”

“With scary regularity.” He scanned me with his bracelet. “You’ve got a concussion, minor blood loss and a shitload of contusions.” Scowling, Ethan ran the healing wand over my head. “Why did that bastard shoot you?”

I sighed in relief as the pain faded away. “He wanted me to find Montezuma’s gold and when I refused, he shot me. Kinda hard to find the treasure if I’m not breathing.”

“Asmoday would have possessed your soul and used your powers as he saw fit,”Adan stated.

“Oh yay! I’m so glad he’s dead.

Adan kept a wary watch on the Executioners’ bulging sides. “He is not dead.”

“What? But I saw the Executioners eat him.”

Adan’s tentacles casually picked up pieces of Aztec armor.“They are containing his life force until Qa’a arrives.”

My eyes bugged.“Qa’a as in the Katanic Supreme Leader?”

“Yes.”

“He’s like coming here?”

Adan’s tentacles drooped unhappily.“He is.”

“What did Asmoday do?”

“He killed the Supreme Leader’s daughter.”

I tightened my grip on Ethan. “Now might be a good time to leave.”

“We can’t. Qa’a wants to meet you.”

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