Tomas sent Dominic one look, and then he shed his body, his pure spirit moving into his lifemate’s mind. He felt Dominic’s presence like a white-hot streak of lightning, taking his back as he deliberately sought the earliest memories Sarika had. Ancient ones. Ones of a peaceful village where the people were farmers and potters and lived their everyday lives in harmony with the earth.
Then there was the temple made of limestone and some other material, an impressive structure. He recognized the tall statue of the jaguar made of that other material. That statue had somehow remained intact over hundreds of years while the temple was in ruins. Despite the temple being rubble, it was an impressive structure, even now, but in ancient times, the way Sarika remembered it, the sacred place was an imposing and joyful place. The massive temple joined sky, earth and the underworld together.
Tomas’ heart nearly stopped beating. The underworld. Justice had lived centuries in the underworld. He sought an ancient weapon thatcould be used against their prince, and from what Gustov had told him, the weapon had a chance of working.
Both Dominic and he had lived centuries, and they were very aware of how the universe often came full circle. He shared his worry with Dominic.
This could be where a piece of the weapon Justice hunts for is located. It would explain his presence. Why he has come this way and recruited vampires to be his army, even though both you and Dax make your home here.
Dominic agreed with him.Few enemies would deliberately come into our territory to challenge us. If this weapon is somewhere in the temple, it would be best for us to find it before he does.
In present day, the ruins had nearly been reclaimed by the jungle. Thick vines and heavy brush wound around and through parts of the broken limestone. A great deal of the temple was still intact, however. The memory Sarika carried with her was of a temple in full glory. Looking around, both ancients were able to recognize the thriving farms and village.
Sarika loved the people. She was very involved in their everyday life. There were other female jaguar shifters, all of whom worked in the temple.
The Mayans were never supposed to have been in this part of Peru, yet there were three distinct ruins of temples, sites proclaiming they had lived and thrived for many years there. Tomas realized it was the jaguar. This particular tribe of people worshiped the jaguar. Where they originated from, he had no idea.
Several statues of the jaguar remained long after the temples were smashed into ruins. Sarika and the other female shifters had taken part in the ceremonies at each one. They were revered, although they didn’t act as if they were any different from the other women. They aided in farmwork and taking care of the children. They helped carve the hieroglyphics into the temple walls. They aided in developing the astronomical system, particularly paying attention to Venus. The starsand planets were important, and the female jaguars spent a great deal of time studying them.
As far as Tomas could tell, there were three women of equal importance, ones regarded with the highest of honor. He recognized Sarika. She had the same features as the woman who was, in modern times, his lifemate. She seemed so like his Sarika, kind and sweet, ready to help even with the crops. She washis, and he recognized her as such.
Each time she came across a female jaguar shifter, Sarika had a private word with her—not just her, but her jaguar. She seemed very in tune to the animal. If the jaguar’s health wasn’t good, she was able to open a well of healing. But it was more than that. She had a special gift, one Tomas was certain the other two women had as well.
And then came Mitro with his brutality and vicious cruelty. He murdered the entire village, made them turn on one another, made fathers kill sons and mothers kill daughters. Blood ran in rivers, and those seeing to the temple wept. Mitro took great delight in torturing the three women who brought health and happiness to the jaguar shifters and the gentle people who worshiped the jaguar.
Sarika is not under his compulsions the way the other female shifters are. Neither are the other two women. They are aware of his intentions, and they are doing their best to counter him.
Dominic studied the memories for a period of time.How is this possible?
I have no idea, but you can see into her memories. See the carnage taking place around her,Tomas said.She is being tortured just as the others are, but there is a part of her manipulating Mitro. He has no idea.
Dominic reacted audibly, shocked that a female shifter could be more powerful than a Carpathian ancient. He was nearly thrown out of Sarika’s mind, but he recovered swiftly.
They have tunnels that run beneath the temple and are stalling Mitro so they can get as many women and children to safety as possible.For Tomas, it was difficult to watch. The entire time Sarika and the other twowomen were aiding those to escape, they were forced to pretend they were under Mitro’s spell.
She is using her connection with the jaguars,Tomas said, unable to keep the admiration from his voice.The ones she is helping to leave are under Mitro’s compulsion, so she bypassed the humans and called on the jaguars to herd them to the tunnels below.
All three women are very connected to the jaguars. That connection feels sacred and strong. They aren’t using any powers from the underworld,Dominic said.Sarika was extremely concerned about that.
I believe she’ll be able to talk to Solange’s jaguar and find a way to resolve the situation,Tomas said.If you’re satisfied, I cannot watch Mitro’s gleeful killing of so many innocents. It is no wonder Sarika fears Carpathians.
Dominic agreed.It will be good when she meets Dax and realizes he was the one to stop Mitro permanently.
About to slip out of Sarika’s mind and back into his own body, Tomas felt a sudden shift in the feel of the events he was observing. Ancient Sarika’s hand crept up to her amulet. The other two women mimicked her move. Tomas thought Mitro’s actions pure evil. Everything about him felt foul and vile. But something else had entered the temple. Something far worse than Mitro.
Wait, Dominic,Tomas cautioned.This is the true enemy and one Mitro knows well and serves. Is it possible he was the one promised the weapon to destroy the prince? He looks gleeful. Far too pleased and smug.
Debris and body parts whirled through the temple, bathing everyone in the blood of the dead or dying. Evil laughter filled the temple, that sacred place that was now a slaughterhouse.
Mitro nearly convulsed with glee. He waved a hand encompassing the dead and dying. Those tortured and still suffering. “I’ve done everything we agreed on. You need to give me my reward.”
Tomas held his breath. Mitro had struck a deal with the underworld. He should have suspected. The whirling debris settled just enough for him to make out a woman. It would have been impossible to describe her, not with the streaks of blood and brain matter dotting herface. She seemed to be bathing in the blood, her maniacal laughter piercing through him. She was so evil she put Mitro to shame.
“But you haven’t. I’ve brought you one piece because you haven’t fulfilled your part of our bargain. One. You will need to earn the other two.”
Mitro’s face burned with anger. Flames licked at his skin and appeared in his eyes. He snorted smoke and spat burning embers. “I have wiped out this entire civilization. It isn’t the first and won’t be the last, just as you demanded.”
“But you didn’t slay your lifemate, Mitro,” the woman said, her voice sly. “That was part of our bargain. You had to kill her with your own two hands. Look into her eyes and smile while you kill her. Instead, she has gone to another man. They make you look weak. A joke in our world and yours. How does that earn you a weapon powerful enough to destroy the prince and take over ruling aboveground?”
