Many of the objects looked like everyday items. Electronics, household items, personal treasures. It wasn’t the treasures of the New Louvre, but they were very old and very valuable.
He picked up a small jug made of beaten silver. “They stockpiled their personal treasures here.”
“You think they knew something bad was coming?”
“Yeah.” He flashed the light around. More items were dumped on top of one another on the floor against the back wall. “They knew. They didn’t have much time, but they brought what was important here.”
She arched her head back. “This was some sort of natural cave.”
“Makes a solid depository.” He continued deeper into the shadows, searching the rock-hewn walls. “Might be the place to store your priceless treasures as well.”
But there was no doorway, no vault, like he’d hoped. Still…he scooped up what he knew was called a smartphone. It was an early precursor to the Sync. “I can get a good price for most of this.” He knew lots of private collectors hungry for Terran history. “A very good price.”
Eos snatched the smartphone from his hand. “How can you collect pieces of the past and have no respect for it at all?”
He welcomed the fight. He needed something to take his mind off the unsettled feelings left from the sandstorm. “The past is dead and gone, Eos. Just a reminder of the crap life throws at you.” He gripped her wrist and forced the phone in front of her face. “This is a reminder of the fact its owner probably died a horrible death and is now a dried-up old mummy for you tooohover.”
“The past is more than that. It gives us a foundation?—”
“Bullshit.” His fingers tightened on her wrist. “It’s just a reminder of your failures—” He broke off and spun away. Air sawed in and out of his lungs.
A light touch on his back. “You have so much more in you than you realize.”
Dathan pressed the heel of his palm to his eyes. “Don’t delude yourself, Doc.” He tried to pull away from her.
Her arms wrapped around him, her cheek to his back. He didn’t pull away, just absorbed the feel of her.
“You have to accept your past to have a future,” she said quietly.
If only it were that simple. “That’s rich coming from you.”
She pulled back. “Do you want to clarify that?”
He felt raw, angry. “You’ve immortalized the past. You let it rule your decisions, even your career choice. Obsession’s just as bad as denial.”
She shoved at him. “I’m doing something worthy with my life.”
He backed her into the wall. “Oh, and I’m not?”
“You cruise all over the galaxy. Pick and choose important artifacts to sell off for your own benefit.”
He angled in close. Her cheeks were flushed, and dammit, she smelled so good. “I may not have some lofty degree, or a stuffy office at the Institute, but my work isn’t that different from yours.”
She scoffed. “Oh please?—”
“You think I don’t know about the Institute Archives? Millions of artifacts from around the galaxy, languishing. Some rotting away from neglect, never ever seen by anyone.”
Her mouth snapped shut.
“No response? I’ve rescued thousands of artifacts about to be destroyed by natural disaster, warring factions, or black-market dealers. I’ve sold them for profit, yes, but they go to legit museums and collectors who care for them and look at them every day.”
Her shoulders sagged. “You’re right.”
He blinked. “What?”
Her golden gaze lifted. “You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry.”
His own heated anger dissolved under her honesty. “Damn you, Eos. Just when I have you pegged, you go and surprise me.” He pressed his mouth to hers. It was a long, scorching kiss that left them both hot for a different reason.
