Page 12 of Defying the Relic Hunter

“Your last job was working for Resthaven cemetery as a groundskeeper,” Ethan corrected.

Rats. Simon hadn’t deleted all the records on me. He was probably too busy setting up secure servers for the clan. “Well, you know how us women are. We get confused easily and I’ve had so many jobs it’s hard to keep track.”

“Return the amulet and I’ll drop all the charges, Ethan stated.

“Gee, I would if I had it. Stealing is so wrong. The news vids claim a Giuseppe Dragos is responsible.”

“Your cousin told us everything.” Ethan’s smug tone set off alarm bells.

“Then you know I was kicked out of the clan for being a lousy thief.”

With a low, aggressive growl, he snapped, “Let’s get one thing straight, Kizzy, that treasure’s mine.”

“And how exactly do you plan on finding it?” Call me curious.

“Coletti technology.”

I grinned. The minute I touched the amulet, I knew only someone who could talk to the dead could find the treasure. Once I reached Hieroglyphic Canyon, I would find my second clue. A pink, heart-shaped stone with incandescent white markings. “And if that doesn’t work?”

“No more games,” Ethan snarled. “Tell me where you are.”

“Has anyone ever told you, you’re a grumpy butt?” Ethan was being awfully chatty. Had the Coletti figured out a way to track me. I quickly terminated the link. God, I hoped not. I shouldered my backpack and started down the path for fame and glory.

Thirty minutes later I collapsed on a rock. Fame and glory sucked. I hated to admit it, but I needed to exercise more. My eyes bugged when I noticed a man-shaped shadow. I cautiously looked up. Holy shit! A Coletti warrior was walking along the rocky outcrop I had taken shelter under.

The warrior abruptly vanished and appeared on the top of a mesa a couple of miles away. I watched him inspect the area with a hand-held scanner. Two minutes later, he was gone.

I blew out a long breath. So far, my ENF shield was holding. I checked my scanner. Yay, no Coletti warriors in the area. I got to my feet and trudged down the trail.

Heat waves shimmered off the sweltering rocks and added to the feeling of being baked alive. My chocolate had melted an hour ago and the water in my canteen was hot. Even the poor cactus looked wilted.

Using the edge of my camouflage tee-shirt to wipe the sweat out of my eyes, I checked the map again and groaned. Hieroglyphic Canyon was another friggin’ mile down this rocky obstacle course. Where was Granny Annabel and her arctic freeze when I needed them?

My wrist comm-link made a funny popping noise and Ethan asked curiously, “Is it true you can talk to the dead?”

“That’s just nuts. If I were you, I wouldn’t believe everything Giuseppe tells you.”

“Don’t lie to me. Zarek took the information directly from your cousin’s mind.” Ethan’s voice held an edge of menace.

“My cousin’s a drug user and probably hallucinating again.” I terminated the link again. Had Giuseppe given them the code to my comm-link? God, I hoped not, because they could track me with it.

“Terminating the link isn’t going to work any longer. We have control of the Dragos communications systems and it’s only a matter of time before we hunt all of you down,” Ethan announced.

I ignored him and increased my pace.

Ethan dropped his voice an octave and purred, “I’ve decided to call you Angel.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re wasting your time with the seduction routine.”

Ethan laughed. It was a masculine, mocking taunt. “When I’m done with you, you will be screaming my name and begging for more.”

I shivered as a shocking heat clenched my lower muscles. “Sorry, sugar, you’re not my type.”

“I’m exactly what you need Angel,and one night in my bed will prove it.”

Did Ethan really think I was that hard up? Ok I was, but a girl had to have some self-respect. “You egotistical, conceited ass I wouldn’t sleep with you if you were the last man on Earth.”

“First thing I want to do to you, Angel, is strip you bare and suckle those magnificent breasts. Then I’m gonna spread your hot, naked body across my bed and eat your pussy until you scream.”

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