Return to Dark Earth

by Anna Hackett

  Then she became aware of the rock-hard erection jabbing into her ass. She licked her lips. Oh, she really wanted to explore him, learn what drove him crazy. She reached back, and pressed her hands to the front of his trousers.

  He groaned and for a second, thrust against her hand. She got the impression of a thick, generous cock before he pulled back.

  She spun, frowning. “Your turn, now. Let me return the favor.”

  He shook his head. “Soon. But not tonight. Tonight was for you.”

  Nera frowned. A man turning down a chance to come? “Niklas—”

  He leaned down and pressed a quick, very brief kiss to her lips. She blinked at him as he walked her out the door and down to her cabin.

  “Goodnight, Nera. Sleep well.”

  She got another quick kiss, this time to her forehead, before she watched him walk back to his room.

  Inside her cabin, she pressed her back to the door and gently touched her lips. She wondered if Niklas Phoenix would ever stop surprising her.

  Or doing things that made her want him more than she already did.

  ***

  Nera stood outside the Drake. The pilots had landed it on a flat plain of black rock that looked almost like a hardened lava flow.

  Behind her, she heard the Institute team bustling around, preparing to trek into the nearby ruins.

  She lifted a hand and shaded her eyes. New Mexico City. Here, the desert came up to the northern part of the city ruins. The southern half looked far different. She lifted her binocs and zoomed in. Vegetation. Black, twisted trees and plant life crawled over the southern half.

  The ruins here were also much more intact than those in New York.

  It was easy to imagine the people who’d lived here. Men and women walking the streets, kids playing, people hurrying to work. Now…well, now everything was dead.

  “Sun feels hotter here, brighter.” Niklas stepped up beside her.

  She wanted to scowl at him. She’d tossed and turned for a few hours before she’d finally fallen into a fitful sleep. Even with the orgasm he’d given her, she’d been edgy, desire a low burn in her body. The man had far too much patience and self-control for her liking.

  “Good morning. And yes, the sun is harsher.”

  His gaze was on the ruined city. “Amazing so much is still standing. But it was a newer city, so many of the buildings were built with more modern technology and better materials.”

  “There’s vegetation to the south.”

  “Yes, but it looks nasty.”

  Someone walked up behind them. Nera turned and saw Solomon stop beside them.

  “Nice day for a treasure hunt,” the young man said.

  “It’s always a nice day to find treasure,” Nera answered.

  Solomon cleared his throat. “I wanted to thank you both again. For saving me in New York. I owe you.”

  “You don’t owe us anything, kid,” Niklas said.

  “Yeah, I do.” Solomon shoved his hands in his pockets. “Never leave a debt unpaid. My father taught me that.”

  “Sounds like a wise man,” Nera said.

  “When it suits him. You both have a marker from me. Call it in whenever you need it.” Solomon turned and headed to the small group of Institute agents milling nearby.

  Nera regarded him. “He has a story, that one.”

  “We all do.”

  Maybe, but she recognized the shadows in the young man’s too-old eyes. “But his is not a pleasant one.”

  “You aren’t going to hold him to his debt, are you?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “We’ll see. I like collecting debts, you know that.” She eyed Niklas’ rugged face. “You owe me quite a few. I just haven’t made you pay up yet.”

  “Something tells me you never will.”

  “Don’t bet on it, Phoenix.”

  “All right, everyone.” Avril stepped forward.

  She was wearing an Institute uniform, and Agent Ryant stood a few meters behind her, with a small number of his security team.

  “Our primary target is the Museum of Anthropology. We’ll head straight to the museum together. Once there, we’ll split into smaller recon teams. If you see anything on the way that looks promising, let us know.” She tapped her ear. “The radiation here is at lower levels than in New York, so we have four hours exposure time. We also have limited comms, so the quality isn’t great.” She nodded. “Let’s move out.”

  They walked into the city and were soon heading down a long, wide street. The security team fanned out ahead. Gunn and Solomon followed behind Avril, with Niklas and Nera bringing up the rear. The pavement was cracked and worn. Here and there, some black plant life twisted up through the cracks. The buildings nearby were mostly tumbled ruins, but it was easy to pick out their shape and functions.

  Nera spotted the remnants of a metal sign. It was red with some sort of bottle logo on it. “There are some small finds around here.”

  Niklas nodded. “Yes. I’m sure the Institute will fund further expeditions and come back to explore some more and pick up the smaller stuff.”

  They turned a corner. An eerie sensation fell over Nera. Here, the buildings were much more intact. Time hadn’t knocked down walls or stripped away all the paint.

  “Gorgeous,” Niklas murmured.

  “I keep expecting someone to walk out of one of these buildings,” Nera added.

  “There it is,” Avril called out.

  “Wow,” Nera said under her breath. The museum rose up ahead. The building was an imposing structure topped by a large dome, now grimy with time. It was impossible to tell what it was made of. “So much of it is intact and still standing.”

  “It was custom-built to house the country’s archeological treasures,” Niklas said. “It was reinforced and constructed using some of the best tech of the time.”

  As they neared the building, the ravages of the years were easier to spot. The windows had long ago been smashed in, and were now just gaping holes. Black, soot-like stains coated the once-cream façade. And she could see that the eastern wing of the museum had completely collapsed.

  Long, wide steps led up to the large metal front doors.

  “Clear the debris,” Avril ordered.

  Ryant and his team hurried up the stone steps to clear the accumulated debris that blocked the entryway.

  Before long, the way was cleared. One of the agents pulled out a portable laser cutter and set to work on the heavy metal doors. Orange flame flared as the man cut an opening. As the cutaway section fell, he flicked off the cutter and stepped back.

  Ryant raised his laser pistol and went in first, followed by two of his team.

  Everyone waited. Avril tapped a boot, her gaze never leaving the door.

  A moment later, Ryant popped his head back out. “Clear. Come on in.”

  Avril pushed forward and ducked through the opening. Nera followed Niklas in.

  The museum must have been just as grand as some of the Institute’s monstrosities in the central systems. The tiles, even under the dirt and grime, looked like they were a once-regal marble. Huge columns speared up to the soaring dome overhead. A mezzanine floor circled the dome. She studied the upper level. It appeared to have been just used for display, as there were no stairs leading upward, and the mezzanine held several large statues and engraved pieces.

  Wide, arched doors led off into corridors that she presumed led to the different wings.

  Avril clapped her hands. “Okay, we’ll split up here.”

  Niklas stepped forward. “Nera and I will take the northern wing.”

  Avril looked between them, her expression falling. “I’d hoped you’d come with me to the southern wing, Nik. It was supposed to have housed the museum’s star attractions.”

  “Maybe after I take a look in the northern wing.”

  Nera ran her tongue over her teeth. She might need to have a little chat with the perky Dr. Luma-Smythe if this kept up.

  “Fine.” Avril waved a hand. �
��You two take the northern wing. Gunn, Solomon, you take the western wing.”

  “Got it,” Gunn said.

  “Okay, everyone synchronize timepieces. Like I said, the radiation levels are lower here, so the exposure limit is four hours, but I don’t want any more close calls.”

  Nera watched the woman lean in for a quiet word with Agent Ryant. Ryant gave a short nod, and waved at two of his team, who disappeared into the collapsed eastern section. Nera watched them go.

  “Ready?” Niklas asked.

  She nodded, hitched her small backpack higher on her shoulder and followed him out.

  Their footsteps echoed on the floor. The corridor was long with rooms opening off it. In places they had to climb over rubble where parts of the roof or wall had collapsed. “Why this way? Why didn’t you take up Dr. Perky’s offer to head to the southern wing?”

  He glanced back. “I wanted to go with you. And I think the Sun Stone is this way.”

  She jumped over a large chunk of rubble. “Why? Wouldn’t it have been in the southern wing?”

  “During my research I found references to a special exhibition taking place right before the worst of the Terran War battles. The museum placed some of its most popular exhibits together in the Special Exhibitions Hall, a room reserved for only exclusive exhibitions. I couldn’t find a list of what was included, but the Sun Stone was one of their most popular pieces.”

  Nera nodded. “Makes sense.”

  “Besides, I think the special exhibition was a front.”

  She thought about it for a second. “To move the most valuable pieces together…and possibly transport them out if needed.”

  “There’s that clever mind of yours.”

  She passed what looked like an odd accumulation of dried up…something. Organic material? She kicked at it and frowned. “What is this? Some sort of…nest?”

  Niklas paused. “Maybe some animal sheltered here at some stage?”

  It was a pretty damn big nest, so it had either been a large animal or a pack of smaller ones. Neither prospect made her happy. Then she spotted a flash of paler color among the debris. She crouched to take a closer look. “Bones.”

  There was a small pile of them hidden under rubble and nesting material.

  Niklas picked a long bone up, turning it over. He caught her gaze with a frown. “Definitely human.”

  “Let’s hope that whatever did this lived in here a long time ago.”

  “Well, it doesn’t look fresh.”

  They kept moving. Niklas was studying his wrist Sync. “Not much farther. Ahead should be the doorway to the Special Exhibitions Hall.”

  Nera really wished she could explore some of the side rooms. They all appeared damaged and empty, but her treasure radar was going off, and she’d bet her bank balance of e-creds there were still small valuables in there to find.

  Her boot struck a rock. She almost ignored it, but she quickly glanced down and paused. “Look at this.”

  It was the top half of a small statue. She picked it up, turned it over. Terribly damaged, but still valuable. The woman’s face was serene, her arms by her side in a rigid pose. A long, elegant headdress sat on her head, accenting her long neck. “Egyptian, right?”

  “Yes. I might make an astro-archeologist out of you yet,” Niklas said, grinning in the gloom.

  “I don’t think so.”

  He touched the statue. “It’s excellent quality. Such a shame it’s broken. She’s—”

  When he broke off, she looked up at him. “She’s?”

  “She was ushabti. A servant for the afterlife.”

  Nera stared at the woman’s face. “You mean a slave.”

  He didn’t say anything, but she smiled. God, he was cute…trying to protect her from a past long dead. For some reason, that tight, hot pain she often felt didn’t feel so poisonous right now. “I’m taking her. I like her.” Nera opened her backpack and carefully slipped the statue inside.

  Shouts came through their nano-earpieces. They were cut with static, making it hard to make out what was going on. Nera tensed, ready for anything. Niklas pressed a finger to his ear and he smiled. “Gunn and Solomon found something.” He paused again. “A giant Olmec head. Avril’s organizing the security team to secure it and ready it for transport.”

  “Come on, then,” Nera said. “We can’t let Gunn outdo us.”

  They reached a wide-arched doorway at the end of the corridor. It was partially blocked by rubble.

  “This it?” she asked.

  He nodded, and started pushing at the rubble to make an opening wide enough for them to fit through. Nera helped.

  But after they’d moved several chunks of debris, they found a solid-metal door blocking their way. “Damn,” he muttered. “Security door.”

  “Maybe it kept looters out.”

  “But now it’s keeping us out. We’ll have to ask Avril for that laser cutter.”

  Nera raised a brow. “Hardly.” She opened her backpack and pulled out what she wanted.

  Niklas frowned at the small metal ball. “Ah…what is that? Not explosive, right? Because I don’t want to bring the entire place down on us…and living with Lala’s made me a bit twitchy.”

  Nera shook her head. “Don’t worry, Phoenix. I’ll protect you.” She hit the button on the side of the ball. “This is called a shredder.” She pressed it to the door.

  For a second, nothing happened. Then it started moving in a large circle, leaving a line behind in the metal.

  Niklas crouched to look at it. “It’s not a laser cutter. There’s no heat.”

  “Nope. It’s Rendarian tech. It’s filled with a corrosive chemical that is delivered in a way that cuts into metal. You can use it when a laser cutter or explosive is too dangerous to use.”

  “Nice.”

  The shredder finished with a beep. Nera pulled it off and packed it away. Then she gave the circle it had cut a kick. The piece of metal fell through to the other side with a dull clang.

  She eyed his broad shoulders. “Will you be able to squeeze through there?”

  “It’ll be tight, but I think I’ll make it.”

  “I’ll go first.” Nera knelt and wiggled through the hole. Rough edges scraped against her light armor.

  “Nice view from here,” he said.

  “That’s sexual harassment, Phoenix,” she called back.

  He laughed.

  Boy, she loved the sound of that. She made it through the hole and stood. She froze. “Holy hell, Niklas. Get in here.”

  She stood there, dumbfounded, while he grunted and cursed as he squeezed through the gap. Finally, he stood beside her. “Oh, my God.”

  The room was intact.

  The floor was wooden—no longer glossy, but still quite beautiful. Faint light filtered in through the barred windows. It looked like the windows were reinforced with something incredibly strong, because none of them were broken.

  And ahead, lights still illuminating it, was the Sun Stone.

  “Incredible,” Nera murmured.

  “Mind-blowingly amazing.” He walked up to it and with his gloved hand, ran a finger over the deep carvings with a reverence that made her throat tighten.

  She wanted that. She wanted him to look at her the same way he looked at that damn artifact. She pushed the dangerous thought away.

  The engraving was fascinating, consisting of concentric rings of very intricate design. In the center was a face, no doubt some god, with his tongue out.

  She wandered around the room and saw a large statue of some scary-looking goddess, a mural that still held most of its color, and some sort of elaborate feathered headdress. Many still had lights illuminating them, so she guessed some nuclear power system was still running somewhere. Almost giddy, but of course hiding her reaction, she spun. “What do you think of this, Dr. Phoenix?”

  He strode over. “The mural depicts scenes of everyday life. I think it’s Mayan. God, it’s beautiful. I’ve only ever seen images of things like
this.” His gaze switched to the headdress and he froze. “The headdress and armband of Montezuma.”

  Montezuma? The name rang a bell. “Aztec emperor, right?” She studied the headdress again. The bright green feathers were striking and obviously treated with something to preserve them. The base consisted of gold and colored stones. She wouldn’t be caught dead wearing something like this. She also noted the gold armband beside it.

  “Yes,” Niklas answered. “Under his rule, the empire reached its largest size, and first contact with Europeans occurred during his reign, too.” Niklas raised his brows. “Needless to say, Montezuma didn’t survive that encounter.”

  “Then he wasn’t smart enough to retreat, for the sake of his people, against a superior force.”

  Niklas stared at her, his gaze narrowing. She guessed he understood her deeper meaning.

  “Maybe.” With another sweeping glance, he took in all the artifacts. Then, with a wide grin, he grabbed Nera around the waist and yanked her close for a kiss.

  It was supposed to be a celebratory moment. Instead, the instant his mouth touched hers, it morphed into something else. He groaned, his tongue sliding against hers. Nera moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist. He staggered two steps and pressed her back against something. She thrust her hands into his hair, pulling his mouth closer, like she could merge the two of them. Damn, he tasted so good. A taste she could drink in forever.

  A growl echoed around them.

  They both stiffened.

  It hadn’t come from either of them.

  In a second, he released her, and her feet slid to the floor. She pulled her sword from the scabbard on her back, shook it to release the blade, and stepped in front of Niklas.

  Chapter Ten

  Nik didn’t know whether to be amused or pissed that Nera was putting herself between him and whatever the hell was making that deep growling in the darkness.

  He could hold his own in a fight, but Nera…hell, she was amazing. But he was hardly helpless. He pulled out his laser pistol and stepped up beside her. “Can you see it?”

  She shook her head, every part of her focused on the shadows. “It’s coming from over there.” She nodded with her head.

  Suddenly, a huge, black shape leapt out of the shadows at them.