Page 75 of Ancient Obsession

“I’ll make plenty of noise as I approach.”

Oliver took his time, pausing now and then to inspect an interesting flower. There was a curve ahead, and he could hear Demetrius and Cody talking, their voices low. The topic seemed to be about what type of plant something might be, and he was grateful it wasn’t lovey-dovey talk.

He took a step toward the curve, then paused and looked behind him at deep green leaves—some half as tall as him—twisty vines, and a number of unfamiliar flowers. Had he heard something, or was it his imagination?

Shadows darkened the spaces between the leaves. Was it his imagination, or had something moved deep in the greenery?

He took a step back, his gaze locked on the plants.

Someone touched his shoulder. He jumped and turned, then let out his breath at the sight of Cody.

“God, you scared me.”

Cody was beside him in a second, fists clenched and jaw stuck out as he scanned the plants surrounding them. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“I didn’t hear you come up behind me.” He blew out a breath. “I want to check something.”

Oliver approached the plant bed. Bracing a foot on the stone edging, he parted the leaves and slowly leaned forward. His heart banged, and his breath had caught in his throat. Any second the bandaged and sunken face of Amenmose could pop out, grab him, and drag him off into the dense foliage.

He leaned in a little farther.

“Ollie…”

“I’m okay…”

Oliver placed his foot on the soil of the bed. He stretched his neck and torso to see deeper into the greenery.

“What’s going on? Oliver?”

Demetrius’s voice made him jump. He retreated onto the path, forehead beaded with sweat and his pulse racing.

“Hey.” Demetrius touched Oliver’s arm. “What is it?”

“I don’t know, probably nothing, but…”

Cody stepped into the plants and disappeared.

“Cody, no!” Oliver called after him. His feet wouldn’t move.

“What’s he doing?” Demetrius approached the bed, then turned and lowered his voice. “Is it the mummy?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know.” Oliver shuddered as the photos of Lucien, Dominic, and Vera flashed through his mind. He straightened his back and shoulders. Lifted one foot from the stone and set it down again. “I’m going after him.”

“I’m coming, too.”

Before either of them could move, the leaves rustled then parted. Cody returned, wiping dirt and dust from his face. Blood welled in a scratch along his forearm.

“What happened?” Oliver moved closer. “Did you see…anything?”

“Nothing. Plants are growing too close together to be able to check for footprints. There’s a door there, but it’s covered in vines.” He lifted his arm. “Something back there’s got thorns.”

“We’ve got antiseptic in the truck,” Demetrius said as he inspected the scratch.

“So, nothing’s there?” Oliver asked.

Cody met his eye. “Nothing I could see. I can check around some more.”

“No, that’s all right.” He smiled, but it felt too tight and a bit lopsided. “It was nothing. Really. I’m overtired and jumping at shadows.”