Crossing his arms, the muscles banding his arm straining against his shirt, he glowered. "You let this man get away with the key?"
"I didn't let him. He took it, then attacked me."
"After you buried it."
I didn't appreciate the accusing tone. Admittedly, looking back it was probably a foolish thing to do. The key had brought those horrible visions, though, and at the time I had not seen any other option. I glared right back up at the man and crossed my own arms. I wondered if he noticed I kept my knife blade pointed in his direction.
"Who are you?" I asked. "Why do you want my key?"
"Your key?"
I hadn't realized I had called it mine. True, I had found it and whatever danger it had brought into my life, I couldn't help but feel it had been meant to stay in my possession. "Yes. My key."
The man studied me for a minute. He lifted his hand. "I'm Kael Rivera. I work for PITO."
I waited for him to elaborate. No dice.
"Never heard of it," I said.
"The Paranormal Intelligence and Tracking Organization."
I couldn't stop the laugh that came. It sounded made up. His scowl deepened. "I'm sorry. The what organization? Come on."
He didn't repeat himself. Instead, he started pacing. A deep growl rolled through his wide chest. He mumbled as he opened and closed his hands. Then, he suddenly whirled to face me. I brought my knife up in a knee-jerk reaction, ready for an attack.
"I have to find the man who took the key from you. Or rather, found it after you buried it." His eyebrows lowered, and he shook his head. "I have to get it back." He jabbed a finger at me. "And you're going to help me."
I really had no desire to see that strange man again. There was something dangerous about that ancient person. Still, I knew I would go with this man. Not because I trusted him. Far from it. If anything, I just wanted to figure out what this guy, Kael, knew about all of this. And above all, I knew I had to get the key back.
The power within me seemed to purr in agreement.
Besides, it seemed there was something dangerous about me, too.
YOU ARE READING
The Cursed Key
FantasiaA forgotten past, a dark mage, and an unyielding curse. Another team beat free-spirited archaeologist Olivia Perez to the dig of a lifetime, and now she's left with the choice to wait for scraps or brave a dangerous, dusty tomb in hopes of finding o...
