His Lost Mate (A Steamy Paranormal Romance Novel) (8 page)

“Wet wipes?” Kyle and Justin said together, then snickered.

She ignored them, then and handed one to Deven and Margaret.

“Good idea,” Margaret said.

Deven looked over her shoulder at the upturned contents of her backpack. “What do you have in there? That’s a lot of weight to be lugging around all day. I see you brought your favorite trowel.” He picked up the trowel and grinned. “Why is it pink?”

“So I know it’s mine. On the last dig, I kept losing it. Pink stands out.”

Deven chuckled. “Are you planning to dig for artifacts today?”

“No, but I always come prepared.”

“Including makeup?” He pointed to the makeup case.

“It has things I might need, like contact solution, aspirin and stuff, not makeup.”

Deven wiped his forehead and neck with the wet wipe. “Oh, that feels good. These are a good idea.”

He unbuttoned the top of his shirt and she caught a glimpse of dark curls of hair on his chest.
Stop staring.
She loaded up her backpack and, feeling a little brave, sat down on the edge of the pyramid, dangling her feet over the edge. The height was unnerving, but she was getting used to it. She admired the workmanship of what was left of the steep and crumbling steps along the front face of the pyramid. “I’m glad we didn’t try climbing up that way.”

“You wouldn’t want to climb those steps,” Deven said. “One loose stone and you’d tumble all the way down.”

Lauren took out her camera and snapped some pictures, including the altar slab where Justin and Kyle ate their lunch.

Deven also sat on the edge, one arm resting loosely on a raised knee as he stared out across the great expanse of rainforest. His chin tilted upward as he admired the view.

What a hunk, she mused. He looked proud, as though he built this temple himself. She took his picture.

Deven arched a brow in a questioning look.

“That’ll make a great picture. I’ll send you a copy.” Lauren smiled then quickly looked away, trying to hide her sudden awkwardness by studying her camera. He must lead an exciting life, traveling around the world working on archaeology sites for months at a time. It might be hard on a relationship if he has someone special at home.

Deven was probably the perpetual bachelor who enjoyed being single and also engaged in casual romances. She needed to learn how to have a casual affair and not fall so hard or so blindly for a man.

The sun beat down on the ancient temple as rippling heat waves radiated from the stones. Lauren could feel the heat through her hiking boots. Sweat trickled down her face and in between her breasts. She dabbed her forehead with the wipe and tried shading her eyes from the sun’s glare. Her vision blurred and her head reeled. She grabbed her water bottle and took several sips. Then she heard men shouting and what sounded like cracks of a whip. While Lauren stared at the crumbling staircase, the view changed. The steps were not crumbling or missing—they were completely restored, every stone whole, every step in place as though they were newly built. She froze.

Dozens of men, dressed like ancient Maya, lugged stones up the steep steps. They wore only scraps of cloth around their waists and their bodies were scratched and bloody. Three or four workers struggled with each stone block, while they dragged them up using vines and ropes. Their bodies were thin, frail and didn’t look capable of carrying the heavy stones. Their faces horrified her, pain and exhaustion were etched into their eyes.

This can’t be. I’m not seeing this. It’s an illusion.

Still the images continued.

Large muscular men shouted orders, commanding the workers and prodding them with spears. When one worker didn’t move fast enough, he was shoved off the temple to his death.

Lauren covered her face and turned away, trying to stop the vision. When she looked again, she saw four elaborately dressed Mayan men wearing tall headdresses adorned with feathers, beads and shells. They held a struggling young woman down on the slab. The woman’s screams raised the hairs on the back of Lauren’s neck.

Another man, brandishing a large flint knife, raised it menacingly above the woman.

Lauren held her breath. She was terrified. Her body convulsed. The man with the knife shouted to the sky in a language Lauren could not understand, then suddenly brought his arm down, plunging the knife into the woman’s chest.

“No!” Lauren screamed. Then darkness engulfed her.

“Lauren!” Deven leapt to his feet and ran to her side.

As her knees crumpled, he swung her up in his arms and gently laid her down on the stone altar. He slid a backpack under her legs to elevate them, then pulled off his T-shirt and placed it under her head. Please, please, be okay, he thought.

Margaret rushed over, splashed some water from a water bottle onto a bandana and handed it to him. “Is she all right?”

“I think the heat caught up to her. She looks pale.” He held his fingers against the side of her slender neck. “Her pulse is a little fast, but her breathing is okay.” He wiped her forehead with the wet cloth and Lauren started to moan. He squeezed her hand.

They were miles away from the entrance to the park and there were no phones nearby to call for help. Attempting to carry her off the two-hundred-foot-high temple would be a dangerous and near impossible feat. He would do it if he had to. She was his responsibility, and couldn’t deny it was more than that. He ached inside thinking about any harm coming to her.

Kyle tried his cell phone. “Who should we call?”

Deven shook his head. “You won’t get service out here.” Even if they could get cell phone service, it would take forever for medical aide to get there.

Walking around the pyramid, Kyle raised his phone and pressed his touchpad several times before he gave up and stuffed the phone back inside his backpack.

Something had to be done. Rising from Lauren’s side, Deven shoved past Margaret and the guys and dug in his pack for his walkie talkie. He tried to raise Jim at camp, knowing he was probably out of range. There was no response. He thrust the device back in his pack, swearing under his breath. He strode back to Lauren and crouched by her side.

Margaret touched his arm. “Even if Jim was in range, it would take him over an hour to get here.”

Deven nodded. “Lauren, c’mon, open your eyes,” he said softly. Her eyelids flickered. “You’re all right. You just fainted.” He tried to convince himself as well as her. He brushed strands of blonde hair out of her face. Her lips moved as if speaking silent words. He hardly knew this woman, but he felt his heart lurch every time he looked at her.
Please be okay
.

Lauren blinked and stared at him. “What happened?” Then her eyes widened in horror. “They murdered her.”

“Murdered who?” he asked.

Lauren covered her face with her hands. “Nobody. Bad dream. I’m okay now.”

“Ah, back to the world of the living, I see,” Margaret said.

Deven let out the breath he was holding and smiled at Lauren. He slid his arm behind her shoulders and helped her to sit up. “Here, try to drink some water.” He held the bottle to her lips as she tried gulping the water. “Slowly, Lauren. Take a sip at a time.”

Lauren wriggled in his arms and tried to sit up.

“Easy,” Deven ordered. “Don’t get up too fast.”

“I’m okay, I said. You don’t need to fuss.” She looked around at Margaret, Justin and Kyle. Deven saw that they all were leaning over her with worried frowns.

“I’m fine, guys, just a little dizzy.”

Kyle rested both hands on the altar next to Lauren. He grinned slyly at her. “What happened, Lauren, did you see a tarantula?” Kyle and Justin snickered.

Deven glared a warning and waved them away.

“Sorry, Lauren, only kidding. Are you feeling better?” Kyle amended.

Deven was relieved to see color coming back to her face. He took her hand and it didn’t feel as clammy as before. He heaved a long sigh. She’d had him worried. He didn’t need a heat stroke victim on his hands. It’s my fault. I was pushing everyone too much.

“I’m really fine now.” As Lauren looked around at the stone altar where she was sitting, her eyes widened and she leaped to her feet like something burned her.

“Take it slow for a while,” Deven said. “We’ll head back in a few minutes.”

Lauren nodded and then grabbed her backpack and strolled to the other side of the temple.

There was something in Lauren’s eyes that worried him, more than her reaction to the heat and the strenuous climb. She seemed concerned or preoccupied with something.

Deven remembered that some of his archaeology students in the past couldn’t tolerate the long hours in the sun, digging in dirt, dealing with snakes, insect bites and primitive living accommodations. There wasn’t anything glamorous about the working conditions of an archaeologist. Maybe she couldn’t deal with the heat.

He would be disappointed if she couldn’t handle working at the excavation site. Her zeal for learning and her quirky personality were refreshing. She seemed obsessed about completing her degree, like she was out to prove something. He wondered what was driving her.

He stared across the jungle in the direction of El Zotz. The lush green of the rainforest looked dulled by the gray sky. The Guatemalan officials had to allow them back into the field camp soon. Every day set them behind schedule. The government was overreacting to the stolen artifacts.

He was cooperating with the government and had agreed to pay for guards twenty-four hours a day so it would be safe, but he still felt uneasy. If the government found out about his communications with the CIA agent, they might delay them even more. Guatemalan officials liked to handle their own affairs and problems without US involvement. Getting on the bad side of the local officials could be detrimental to his project.

At first, the agent’s requests sounded easy. “Just keep an eye out for any signs of possible rebel activity in the area and pass the information to your contact person at the embassy.” Hell, maybe agreeing to work with the CIA was a mistake.

Once they received approval to move to the field camp and commenced with some serious digging and research, he would feel much better.

His thoughts drifted back to Lauren. Thoughts of exploring her body continued to invade his mind. He was surprised at his intense physical response to her. While she was entranced by the carvings and ruins, he was spellbound, watching her reactions, her wavy blonde hair blowing in the breeze and admiring her heart-shaped bottom and slim legs that went on forever.

At one point, she’d turned around to face him, and she’d stood so close, almost daring him to touch her. He’d detected a whiff of her shampoo or perfume, a wild floral scent, and wanted to run his fingers through her hair. He’d sensed her interest by her lingering looks and attitude. Did she want him too? Was it his imagination, or wishful thinking?

His heart pound at the memory and heat throbbed in his groin. He longed to draw her into his arms, explore that luscious mouth, crush her breasts against his chest and show her many other mysteries that had nothing to do with ancient artifacts and ruins. Enough already. She was his student.

He could admit his attraction to her, but it would be best if he kept his distance for the benefit of the field program and himself. Traveling archaeologists and relationships did not mix. Maybe he was looking for an excuse to avoid a relationship. Keeping things on a professional level was the best way to handle this.

Lauren plopped down by the edge of the pyramid. Spilling out the contents of her pack next to her, she found a protein bar, tore the wrapper open and took a bite. Margaret walked over to her and sat down.

“How are you feeling, dear?”

“I’m fine.” Lauren forced a smile. “I’ve never fainted before. I guess I didn’t realize I was getting dehydrated.”

Margaret came close and lowered her voice. “You saw something, didn’t you? I saw the look on your face before you passed out.”

Lauren exhaled a long sigh. Her thoughts were still foggy, but the horrifying images of the knife, the blood, the terrified woman were vividly clear. Those men murdered that woman. Something about this place disturbed Lauren. She glanced over her shoulder at the altar. This place was evil, this whole temple was evil. She could feel it radiating from every stone like caustic steam emanating from the heart of a volcano. What was happening to her?

An image of the knife plunging into the young woman flashed in her mind. Lauren winced and squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to shut out the terrifying vision.

“I don’t know. I think Deven was right—I had too much sun.”

Margaret nodded but didn’t look convinced. “Have you ever experienced heat exhaustion before?”

“No.”

“Do you think it had something to do with your dream or the ghost you saw?”

“I’m not sure if I did see a ghost. Maybe that was a dream too.” Lauren crossed her arms and pressed them against her body. If the others didn’t already think she was a flake, they would surely question her sanity if she told them what she had seen.

Lauren glanced at Deven. He certainly didn’t want a hysterical student participating in his field program. She’d prided herself on exhibiting a professional demeanor. Talk of ghosts, dreams and visions would give them a poor impression of her.

Margaret spoke softly. “We don’t have to tell Deven if you don’t want. He’s not very open-minded to the supernatural and esoteric beliefs. Strictly a scientist.”

Lauren hesitated. “I appreciate your concern.” She noticed a disappointed look in Margaret’s eyes and tried to change her tone to sound more cheerful. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I promise that you’ll be the first to know if I do see a ghost.”

“Fair enough.”

A crack of thunder echoed off the stone pyramid and Lauren jumped to her feet. “Whoa, that was close!” She lifted her face to the menacing gray thunderhead cloud building to towering heights. The temperature suddenly dropped a few degrees and a fierce wind moaned through the trees. Their branches swayed and creaked.

“Grab your stuff,” Deven shouted, “we’ve got to get off this pyramid.”