Chapter Seven
In a dense tropical forest environment, such as the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, these types of features, along with the raised causeways that stretch between surrounding settlements, are very difficult to see while on the ground. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we can …”
Angélica glanced Quint’s way when he paused in the midst of reading through his field notes.
While the calamitous din of the jungle’s nightlife raged outside their tent, she’d been enjoying the low rumble of his voice in the background of her thoughts as she poured over several LIDAR images.
Thankfully, Dr. Fernel had been smart enough to bring laminated copies of everything, along with digital files on his tablet and laptop, because the Mexican rainforest could wreak havoc on electronics without even trying.
She turned away from the printouts spread around the camp tray she was using as a makeshift desk, studying Quint almost as intently as she had been the LIDAR maps.
One of many camp lanterns Pedro had brought along hung overhead from their tent’s center pole, shedding enough light for reading notes and body language.
Quint lay back in his cot, another supply item Pedro had brought along for each of them.
He absently scratched the side of his neck as he frowned at his notes.
Having recently returned from the portable camp shower Teodoro had set up behind the mess tent, the heartbreaker wore only a well-worn pair of cargo shorts that sat low on his hips, leaving plenty of bare skin for her to ogle—which she did for a moment … or three.
Hell, if Angélica didn’t know better, she’d think he was feeling downright comfy camping out in the jungle with her, even though there was no running water and no way to escape the heat and humidity.
However, his skin glistened from a light sweat, same as hers, and she knew from sleeping next to him in their bed back home that he preferred to be under a ceiling fan on warm nights.
Her gaze traveled down his long, tanned legs to where his bare feet hung over the end of the cot. He was several inches too tall for it and had preferred a hammock at their last dig, but he wasn’t complaining. Nor had he complained about anything else, at least not within earshot.
The Lord of Death sends his messengers to travel with the tall man.
KuTu’s words from several days ago replayed in her thoughts as her focus returned to Quint’s face.
A shiver ran down her spine. Was Teodoro right about Quint being some kind of good demon from the Maya Underworld? How else could she explain the oddities that had occurred since finding Site 5?
The tarantula in his boot.
The vulture on the wall.
The butterflies that fluttered around him—and seemingly only him—as they worked on clearing the field camp.
And those were only the ones Quint knew about.
Earlier in the evening, when everyone was gathering for supper in the mess tent, Teodoro had pulled Angélica aside.
He’d shown her nine owl feathers he’d found in and around camp since arriving days ago.
He’d come across one of the larger feathers on the ground right outside her tent early in the morning, before anyone else was awake.
Make that anyone besides Bronko, who’d been on night duty and later told the shaman he hadn’t recalled hearing an owl in the trees during his watch.
According to Teodoro, the feather looked as if it had been purposely placed at their doorstep, just for Quint.
When she’d taken the feather from him for a closer look, Teodoro had told her that he believed each feather represented one of the nine levels of the Underworld.
Unknowingly, he seemed to be echoing KuTu’s prophecy, with both of them suggesting that Quint was a metaphysical catalyst of some sort.
But a catalyst for what in particular?
The cot creaked as Quint sat up, still frowning at his notes. The storm hovering over his brows matched the anxiety-fueled maelstrom twisting and turning in her chest.
“Do you want me to repeat that last part?” she asked, smiling in spite of her worries.
“The bit about how archaeologists often work simultaneously from early on at a dig site project with archaeobotanists, sedimentologists, geoarchaeologists, and other scientists in various environmental and paleo fields to study all aspects of ancient societies.”
He shook his head. “You said that defensive works, such as low walls, are often found in settlements.” He looked up at her. “What about a high wall, like at Site 5?”
“What about it?” She had wondered about the wall’s height as well, but wanted to see if he was pondering along the same lines.
“Why is there such a big drop on the other side of the wall?” He tossed his notebook aside. “If this were a religious site, like your mom theorized, I can see having high walls to keep enemies out. But this place seems to be set up to keep the people in.”
“I’ve been wondering about that, too. This is the first site I’ve come across with a wall like this.” She pointed at the maps on her tray. “Based off these LIDAR images, the layout of Site 5 is not typical compared to other Maya cities.”
“Not typical in what way?”
“Most cities have temples in the center, often set up in a constellation-inspired layout. They also tend to have large courtyards around the temples, several platforms here and there where public events took place, a ballcourt somewhere in the mix, and evidence of residential quarters on the outskirts.”
“How is Site 5 different based on what you’re looking at on those LIDAR images?”
She picked up one of the laminated printouts, holding it out for him to see.
“Well, for one thing, I see only a single temple with a small structure next to it. At least I think it’s a temple.
” She turned the printout back her way. “Although it could be a platform, but being that it’s near the center of the site, my gut says it’s more than that. ”
“So, only one temple. What else?”
“I don’t see any evidence of a ballcourt. And each corner of the site has what looks like a platform of some sort—each of the four similar in structure and size.”
“What do you think is the significance of that? Something to do with star alignment or cardinal directions?”
“Maybe, but I’ll have to see them from the ground to make sure they’re truly platforms and not some other sort of building. I also need to search for a stela near each structure, which might clarify the purpose behind it.”
She dropped the LIDAR image on top of the others on the tray table.
Her fingers practically tingled at the thought of tomorrow’s plans to go over the wall and start digging around on the other side.
Ground truthing was one of her favorite parts of the job.
After staring at maps and reading up on a site for days or weeks or even months, it was that moment when she was able to actually walk around in the past. What was left of it, anyway.
It would be hard to sleep tonight. The anticipation of finally seeing what gems were hidden underneath the foliage would keep her mind busy.
Quint stretched his long legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. “Well, boss lady, I hope that what we find on the other side of that wall answers all of the questions rattling around in that big brain of yours.”
When she looked over at him, KuTu’s words replayed again in her thoughts.
Damn it. She couldn’t continue to keep hiding her concerns about what the Maya guard and Teodoro had each said to her. Not from Quint, at least. Her father was a different story, though. Pedro and the rest of the crew, as well.
Quint needed to know the truth about the possible dangers for him here. He deserved the chance to walk away from it, even though she selfishly wanted him to stay by her side and explore what the jungle had been hiding for centuries with her. To share in the secrets from the past.
She took a deep breath and met his gaze head-on.
“There is something we need to talk about before Dad gets back.” He’d headed off with Fernando, Pedro, and Raul after supper to release a little stress with the help of cards, a couple of beers, and probably a cigar, even though his doctor would tell him resting was the smartest thing for him.
“Something that has me wondering if I should ask Pedro to fly you home to Cancun tomorrow.”
“Angélica,” he cut in, his body tightening visibly.
“And stay there until I finish here.”
“No.” There was a resounding finality in his single-syllable reply.
“Hear me out, Quint.”
“It’s a waste of breath.”
Rather than argue across the tent for any passersby to hear, she moved over to his cot and sat down next to him.
He shook his head at her. “Don’t think that you can change my mind with a few well-placed touches and kisses, woman.” He leaned slightly away, his eyes narrowed, wary. “I mean, your mouth is amazing, but I’m no schoolboy and this subject is not up for debate.”
“Listen, Quint.” She kept her voice low. “There is something I didn’t want to tell you when it initially happened. I’d hoped it wouldn’t come up again, but I was wrong, and in light of recent events, I have to come clean because I don’t want you to get hurt.”
His brow furrowed. “This better not be the start of one of those ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ relationship cop-outs, because we are far beyond that shit.”
“Of course not.” She took his left hand and held it in both of hers. “You know I’m crazy about you, heartbreaker. Given the option, I’d rather we both be back home enjoying our nice, soft bed together.”
He scoffed. “No, you wouldn’t. You’d rather be right here in this tent planning out tomorrow’s field work.”
Quint had her there. “Okay, you’re right about that, but my thoughts about you leaving this place have nothing to do with you and me. Please, believe that.”
“What then? Is this about my reaction to the tarantula in my boot? If so, that was—”
“No,” she interrupted him. “Well, kind of.”