“And her note told you to wear the ring because she thought you needed the good luck?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
She dropped back onto the cot next to him, handing back the ring. “Dammit. This is a bad sign.”
“Butterflies are not a bad sign—only the black ones, according to what you said the other day.”
“I know, but something is going on here. Something with you. Again.” She lowered her voice to a bare whisper. “Something to do with you being a Summoner of supernatural beings lured by some kind of mental beacon you unintentionally send out.” Also known asDer Beschwörer,with ancestors possibly hailing from the Black Forest region of Germany, according to what they’d learned at the last site.
“Maybe. But if I’m also a good little demon …” he started with a crooked smile.
“That’s not funny.”
“And I do heal fast, remember.”
Weirdly so, in her experience, especially when something very not-normal took a bite out of him.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, leaning over to drop a kiss on the top of her head. “I’m not going anywhere, boss lady.”
She caught his hand in hers, lacing her fingers through his. “I’m worried about you.”
“That’s sweet, but I’m staying.”
“What if KuTu and Teodoro are right? What if there is something here, something unnatural, like at the last site?”
“Then there is no way in hell I’m leaving without you. Are you willing to get on that helicopter and let Dr. Fernel stay to explore on his own?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Nope.”
“Then we’re in this together, come what may.” He turned her chin his way and kissed her on the lips this time, short and hard. “Stick with me, kid. My Underworld superpals will keep you safe.”
“That’s not funny either, Parker.”
“It is a little.” He kissed her again, longer this time. Slower. He tasted minty, like the toothpaste they were sharing on this trip. “You have to find the humor in shitty situations like this.”
“Your comedic preferences are far different than mine.”
He stared at her, his focus almost piercing. “Is there anything else you want to tell me while we’re alone and sharing secrets?”
“You didn’t really share anything.”
“I showed you the inside of my ring.”
“Is there anything else I should know?” She turned the question back on him.
He cocked his head, appearing to ponder her question. “Pedro actually brought two cases of beer. He’s keeping one hidden on the helicopter, though, not willing to share it because he thinks he might need it after your dad drags him through another temple that’s on the verge of falling down.”
She smiled. “Just for that, I’m going to make him go inside any scary structures first and clear out the cobwebs.”
Quint chuckled, but soon sobered. “Is there anything else you want to tell me, Angélica?”
Maybe now was as good a time as any to tell him she’d chosen to come to this site instead of go on vacation. That her boss had nothing to do with it. But how could she explain that proving her mom’s theories was more important than spending time alone with him? That she would probably choose the same option again in the future, given an opportunity to get her hands on a site like this one? That he was important to her, but her career and all she and her mom had worked for were equally important, because she didn’t want to give up her life and dreams for Quint when he would continue flying off for weeks at a time and maybe one day decide not to come back. That sitting at her home in Cancun pining for him day and night was …
She buried her forehead in his neck so she didn’t have to look at him when she answered, “Not that I can think of at the moment.”
His shoulder stiffened for a moment, but then he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.”
“Good, because my life has no color when you’re gone, dammit.”
