Flight to Destiny (A Samantha Starr Thriller, Book 2)

by S. L. Menear

  “Must be some badass varmints,” Rod said. “I heard the captain scream. Nothin’ ever scares her.”

  “Pete, don’t let them get me!” Inga shrieked.

  I stopped several feet short of the scorpions and checked the lighter. The blue flame shot up like a mini blowtorch. I poured a short fuse to the front line and doused them with rum as they scurried toward me.

  “Die, you ugly bastards!” I flicked on the lighter.

  No blue flame from the lighter. Scorpions rushed at me. I backed into Lance.

  He yanked me behind him. “Give me the lighter.”

  We stomped the scorpions as he tried the lighter. This time it worked. I splashed the rest of the rum over the horde. Flames brightened the passage as we stepped back and watched burning scorpions trying to reach us.

  “Is it working?” Pete asked.

  “Yes, but the fire won’t last long. Looks like the ones behind the flames are leaving,” Lance said.

  “I’d like to know where they’re going so we don’t run into them. Shine that light behind me so I can use the night vision.”

  When the fire burned out, I saw the scorpions scramble into a hole on the right side of the passage twenty feet ahead.

  “Let me clean this up so we can get through here.” Lance swept the dead scorpions to the side with the stock of his MP7.

  When he finished, I whispered to him, “Sorry I reverted to frightened-girl mode when I first saw the scorpions.”

  “Don’t sweat it. This was far worse than when I walked into a shed full of tarantulas in Texas. They were big mothers, but I knew they weren’t dangerous. Yellow scorpions kill with one sting, and this was a shitload of ’em.”

  “We’d better move through before they return.” I turned to the group. “All right, everyone, we need to get past a hole in the passage as fast as possible. Follow me single file on the left side.”

  “Lance, give Jack the flashlight.” I held my MP7 butt down in case the scorpions rushed out.

  Jack took his place behind me. “Bugger! Yellow scorpions! Are they dead?”

  “These are, thanks to your rum, but I saw some scramble into that hole on the right.” I hurried past the hole and checked the passage ahead. It looked clear.

  “Get a move on, people! We need to get past this hole!” Jack waved the group forward and trotted up to where I had stopped to wait for him.

  “Shit, look at all them dead scorpions! No wonder the captain screamed. Walk faster!” Rod’s breath quickened, like he was about to hyperventilate.

  “Holy shit! Nobody told me there’d be freakin’ scorpions in Petra. This tourist crap sucks!” Pete pulled Inga behind him and bolted past the hole.

  Lance and Carlene brought up the rear. Just as they edged up to the hole, a scorpion crawled out. Another was right behind it.

  Lance shoved Carlene forward. “Run!” He swung the butt of his MP7 like a golf club and swatted the scorpions back into the hole. “Keep going, Sam. I’ll catch up.” He took a few more swings and then sprinted toward us.

  “They’re coming!” Lance yelled.

  I jogged ahead using my night-vision gear. Jack wielded the flashlight and his cell, while the rest held their cell lights.

  I rounded a curve and skidded to a stop. The walkway ended five feet above the fast stream from the cavern. I stepped back so my group wouldn’t push me in when they rounded the corner.

  “Everyone, stop! Water ahead!” I tried to block their path.

  “Screw that, hundreds of those yellow buggers are coming for us!” Jack swerved around me and stopped at the edge. His light reflected off the rushing water.

  Pete rounded the corner with Inga in tow. The rest of the group bunched up behind them.

  “Lance, what’s happening?” I yelled.

  “Slowed down the first few with my golf swing, but then hundreds of ’em rushed at me. We don’t have much time.”

  I ran my hands over the walls. No tingles. Damn! I studied the water. It was clear and only a few feet deep.

  Carlene screamed. “Do something, Captain! They’re almost here!”

  I made a quick decision. “Check that your backpacks and weapons are secure and follow me into the stream.”

  I cinched my pack straps tight and slung the MP7 strap over one shoulder and under the other. The warm water from the hot springs felt good when I jumped in.

  In seconds, we were funneling down the rapids. My night-vision gear was waterproof. Thank you, Navy SEALs!

  We had no control as the stream swept us through the mountain. At least we were able to keep our heads above water. We were so busy trying to survive, no one screamed.

  I whipped around a downward curve and was tossed into the air as the water plunged down a waterfall.

  As I plummeted into the inky blackness, I tried in vain to see where I would land.

  Eleven

  Ross drove under the stone archway emblazoned with the MacLeod coat of arms. He followed the curving driveway to the ancient stone castle and parked his Aston Martin at the formal entrance. As he climbed the steps to the massive oak door, it opened.

  “Welcome, Captain Sinclair. Laird MacLeod and Mrs. Starr are waiting for you in the great hall. May I take your coat?” The butler was dressed in his usual formal attire.

  Ross slipped off his coat and handed it to him. “Thank you, Baxter. I can find my way.” He walked across the foyer to the enormous room where Duncan and Loren sat at one end of the massive banquet table.

  “Ross, it’s good to see you.” Duncan shook his hand. “Have a seat.”

  Loren’s eyes were red from crying. She reached for Ross. “I need a hug.”

  Ross pulled her in, then held her chair, and sat across from her. “Sorry to meet under unpleasant circumstances.”

  Duncan was seated at the head of the long hand-carved oak table with Loren on his left and Ross on his right. “We’ve heard the news reports. I hope you know more about this than the television reporters.”

  “Aye, we think we know who was after Sam and why.” Ross glanced around the great hall. “Every time I’m in this room, I feel like I’m in a giant’s lair.”

  “That’s exactly how I felt the first time I dined here.” It was obvious Loren was trying to put on a brave face, but her voice trembled. “I suggested we sit in the great hall tonight. Something drew me to this room, and it was the last place Sam sat before she left Scotland.”

  Baxter poured a glass of soothing Bordeaux for Loren and placed crystal tumblers of single-malt whisky in front of Ross and Duncan.

  “Matt told me that you and Sam have psychic dreams and visions.” Ross sipped the aged whisky.

  “Yes, the gift runs on the female side of the family and usually emerges in our mid-twenties. Sam started to acquire her ability when she was on vacation here.”

  “Hardly a vacation. I almost killed her.” Ross sighed.

  “Which brings us to her disappearance. What can you tell us?” Duncan looked concerned.

  “A helicopter was seen leaving Petra shortly after we lost the signal on Sam’s watch.” Ross explained everything he had learned from the military-intel network, Interpol, Jordanian authorities, and Matt. “Your professor friend thinks she may have been drawn to a hidden passage into the mountain.” Ross decided not to mention the missing bodies that had bled out.

  Loren paused in mid-sip with a faraway look. She seemed frozen with her wine glass against her lips. Ross glanced from her to Duncan.

  “Loren, what’s wrong?” Duncan raised his voice.

  She straightened and focused on Duncan. “Remember when Sam wanted to follow the secret passage that leads down to the sea?”

  “Aye, my stable boy interrupted us with that package for Sam.”

  “And then we were whisked away after the eyeball was discovered.” Loren looked excited.

  “Aye, but what has that to do with this?” Duncan looked puzzled.

  “I feel compelled to go down that passage now. It must
be important. Please, Duncan.” She stood and glanced at Ross for support.

  “I’m game for a stroll down to the sea.” Ross stood and looked at Loren. “The climb back up may be a bit taxing. Can you manage in those heels?”

  She glanced down. “Give me a minute to change. Be right back.” She trotted away.

  Duncan rang for the butler. “Baxter, fetch three torches and my Glock. My guests want to explore the escape passage down to the sea.”

  Loren returned in jeans and sneakers at almost the same moment Baxter walked in with the flashlights and pistol.

  “Shall I come with you, sir?” Baxter asked.

  “Not necessary. We’ll be back in about an hour.” Duncan took the Glock and handed a flashlight to Loren and another to Ross. “Let’s go.” He reached behind a portrait. “Follow me.”

  A section of stone swung open to reveal a dark, narrow passage.

  Loren followed Duncan, and Ross trailed behind her. Once inside, Duncan pulled a lever. The door closed to complete darkness. They switched on the flashlights and walked single file. When they reached an intersection, Duncan turned left and led them sixty paces. He paused at the top of stone steps.

  “Take care as you descend. The steps are steep and may be slippery, and the passage curves like a spiral staircase.” Duncan started down slowly.

  Ross watched Loren run her hands along the rock walls on the way down. What was she feeling for? After descending two hundred feet, they rested in an alcove.

  “This is halfway down to the beach,” Duncan said.

  Loren shined her flashlight on the walls. The rock opposite the seaside wall had a dull area six feet above the floor. “My right hand tingles when I run it over this spot. It feels soft, like it’s filled with dirt. Let’s see what’s under there.” She turned to Duncan and Ross.

  Ross used his pocket knife to scrape away the dirt. When most of it was out, he brushed the rest away with his handkerchief.

  “Look at this.” Ross shined his light on it.

  At six-three, Duncan was the same height as Ross and easily looked inside. At five-nine, Loren had to stretch on her tip toes.

  “A gold handprint! Let me try something.” She reached up and pressed her right hand against the indented form.

  Grinding reverberated in the rock alcove. Moments later, a stone door swung inward beneath the handprint. Loren shined her light through the opening. Before she could step inside, Duncan pulled her back by her waistband.

  “Not so fast, lass. We don’t know if it’s safe.” Duncan slipped his arms around her waist.

  “Surely it’s safe for me. I opened it.”

  Ross ducked his head inside and looked for signs of traps. “What is this place, Duncan?”

  “There’s no record of it in the family archives. This chamber could have been chiseled into the cliff a thousand years ago. What do you see?”

  “I need a closer look.” Ross hunched over to clear the low door.

  Loren couldn’t wait. “Ross? Is it safe?”

  “Seems so. No way to be certain. It’s quite spectacular!”

  Loren grasped Duncan’s hand. “I promise to be careful. Let’s go.” She tugged him forward.

  Their lights illuminated a circular room with images carved into the walls and adorned with gold, moonstone, crystals, and jewels. The tableau incorporated an ancient-looking seafaring nation with circular canals, longboats in the harbor, and flying airships. Enormous pyramids bordered the city, and massive sphinxes guarded the perimeter.

  The chamber door closed with a thud. They spun around and faced solid rock.

  Duncan scanned the rock walls. “We’re trapped in a place Baxter doesn’t know exists.” He shook his head. “Look for a way to open the door.”

  Loren shined her light on the wall near the door and gasped. Three women with identical shapes and familiar facial structures stared back at her. One had gold hair and aquamarine eyes, another had obsidian hair and sapphire eyes, and the third had ruby hair and emerald eyes. Inlaid in the rock wall, their bodies were carved from moonstone. Each woman held a crystal pyramid.

  “These women look like Sam, especially the one with the gold hair.” Loren touched a crystal, and it filled with bright light.

  “Touch the other crystals. Maybe the door will open.” Duncan stood beside her.

  When all three crystal pyramids were lit, holograms displayed images of an ancient nation in the center of the chamber. One showed a nearby island in the throes of a volcanic eruption. Molten lava spewed as sparks and smoke clouded the sky. Longboats and airships rushed to leave the magnificent city on the neighboring island.

  The volcano exploded, and half the mountain slid into the sea. A massive tsunami raced toward the nearby nation. The wave towered over pyramids that appeared to be taller than five hundred feet. In seconds, the city was buried beneath the sea. Nothing remained but the distant airships flying to safety. The images faded, and the lights extinguished.

  Loren looked shocked. “I think that may have been Atlantis. I don’t know why the three women look like Sam.”

  Ross pulled out his mobile. “I suggest we use our phone cameras to take pictures of everything on the walls. I’d also like to get a video of the holograms.”

  When they finished photographing, Loren activated the crystals again. They each took a video of the disaster as it played in front of them.

  “All right, lass, time to open the door,” Duncan said with a light tone. “We don’t want to give poor Baxter a fright.”

  Loren ran her hands over the rocks. “I don’t feel any tingly places, and I can’t find another handprint.” She stared at the door, paused, and looked down. “I wonder—”

  She removed her shoes and socks before slowly pacing closer to the door.

  “Here!” She dropped to her knees and tried to dig away the dirt.

  Ross used his pocket knife and handkerchief again to access a gold footprint recessed into the rock floor.

  “Okay, boys, let’s hope this works.” Loren stepped onto the footprint with her right foot.

  A grinding noise heralded the door opening. Duncan shined his flashlight through the doorway. Baxter stood outside looking stunned.

  “Good of you to come, Baxter. We found a hidden chamber. Have a look inside.”

  Baxter looked wide-eyed as he entered the ancient chamber.

  “Loren, darlin’, you’ll be the last to exit,” Duncan said. “The door seems keen on closing right after you.” He waved Ross outside and waited for Baxter to look around. “I want you right behind me, lass.” He led her by the hand out of the chamber.

  As soon as Loren stepped through the doorway, the heavy stone door swung closed and blended back into the rock wall.

  “All right then, let’s head upstairs. I think we’ll work up a good thirst on the way.” He wanted to keep the mood light until everyone had climbed the cliff stairs and was safely inside the castle. “After you, Baxter.” Duncan waved the butler ahead.

  Loren became breathless as they neared the top. “Good thing we didn’t go all the way down to the sea.”

  “Aye, the climb would have been twice as far if we had,” Duncan said. “Ross isn’t out of breath. Must be the rigorous SAS training, right lad?”

  “Aye, Duncan, as well you know.” Ross stepped onto the landing behind them. “I could do with another drink while we sort this out.”

  Baxter’s wife, Fiona, was waiting in the great hall with the whisky and wine. “You lot look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Duncan nodded. “In a way, we have. Best bring Loren a chocolate bar.”

  The three sipped their drinks in silence, each lost in thoughts.

  Ross swirled the amber liquid in his glass. “I think Loren should call that Harvard professor Sam sent the weapon to and ask him to describe it for us. Could be related to that hidden chamber.”

  “Aye, lass, put your phone on speaker and call him.” Duncan squeezed her hand and gave her a light kiss. “Don�
�t mention what we found. We’ll draw our own conclusions after we’ve heard what he knows.”

  Loren swallowed a piece of chocolate and called Professor Armitage. He answered on the second ring.

  “Hello, Ben, how are you?” Loren tried to sound casual.

  “Ah, my dear, I heard about Sam. What can I do to help?”

  “Tell me everything you know about the ancient weapon Sam sent you. Also, anything you know about anyone who might be after her or the weapon. We’re trying to connect the dots before it’s too late.” Her voice quavered.

  “I suggest you turn on the record feature on your phone. It may be hard to remember so many details.”

  Loren pushed the button. “Go ahead.”

  Ben described the obsidian pyramid and statues in detail, including how it worked and what happened to his roof. He shared the two names he had deciphered on the goddess statues and the age of the artifact, explained ley lines/dragon currents, and told her what he knew about the Black Sun.

  Ben concluded, “I guess you know psychic power contains strong electromagnetic energy. Sam’s energy was the right frequency to activate the weapon.”

  “So, the weapon really is from ancient Atlantis?” Loren asked.

  “I believe it is. The evidence is quite compelling, especially in light of the discovery of a submerged city near Cuba. It has a pyramid larger than the Great Pyramid in Giza and several sphinxes bigger than the one in Egypt. It all fits with the map on the artifact.”

  “Why does Sam look like the women on the obsidian pyramid?”

  “I’m speculating, but I think her bloodline connects all the way back to Atlantis. You and Sam may carry the same electromagnetic frequency as your ancestors.”

  “That would explain how her touch activated the weapon. If you think of anything else, please call me on my cell. I’m in Scotland. Thanks a million, Ben.”

  “Happy to help. Please call me when you find Sam.”

  Loren glanced from Duncan to Ross. “What do we do now?”

  Ross finished his whisky. “Now that we know you can open rock walls, I think we can assume the same about Sam. Maybe she escaped the Black Sun by hiding inside the mountain like the professor suggested. I need to be on the SAS team Admiral Stone sends to Petra.”