Page 91 of Ancient Obsession

Dave tried to shove past, but the detective grabbed his arm. To the police officers and campus security behind him, Carter said, “See to the injured and call for ambulances and backup. Montroig and Keaton, you’re with me.”

“One of our friends is a doctor,” Dave said. “Dr. Zenona Baldwin. She’s already examining some of the guests.”

While the other officers and security personnel disappeared into the gardens, Lucia and Gayle approached. Lucia’s left eye was beginning to swell, and Gayle had a split lip, but otherwise they seemed okay. Roman, Grant, and Brady came up behind them.

“You should go back and help Zenona,” Dave said. “I don’t want it to hurt anyone else.”

Everyone remained where they were, arms crossed.

Carter pulled Dave in a little closer. “What do you mean by ‘it?’”

“We don’t have time, Oliver⁠—”

“I need to know what we’re going after. Now.”

Dave cursed. “It’s the mummy.”

“The fuck?” Keaton said, her voice a whisper.

“The mummy.” Carter repeated.

“Listen to him,” Lucia snapped. “That fucking mummy is up and walking around, and it’s taken Oliver. Everyone in there saw it. Several of us tried to stop it, and it threw us around like we were nothing. We need to go after it right now.”

Robin, Demetrius, and Clarabell rushed up.

“For the love of…” Carter snarled. “Get back inside.”

“I might know where it’s going,” Robin said quickly. Blood ran down the side of their face from a cut near their scalp.

“Where?” Dave said.

“The coffin.”

Dave started to move, but Carter held him back.

“The what?” Montroig said.

“Its coffin,” Demetrius repeated. “We don’t have much time.”

“You should stay with Cody,” Dave said.

“Zenona’s working on him.” Demetrius held his gaze, jaw set. “You need our kind of help.”

“Your kind of help?” Montroig said.

“It’s not far.” Robin interrupted, pointing. “Just down that hallway.”

Carter tightened his grip on his weapon as he stared at the intersection. Cloud cover outside diffused the daylight coming in from the far exit doors. Only every other set of fluorescent lights were on, allowing more shadows to spread.

“Montroig and Keaton, up front with me. Everyone else, stay behind us.” Carter glared at Lucia and Gayle. “That includes the two of you.” He licked his lips then nodded to himself. “All right. Let’s go.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

As they moved toward the intersection, Carter glanced over his shoulder and frowned. “What’s she doing here?”

Dave looked back at Clarabell. Her eyes were wide behind her glasses and what looked like red wine was splashed across the front of her white pant suit, but it couldn’t dim the determination in her expression. “She’s got a lot of knowledge about this kind of stuff. And she’s brave as shit.”

Carter grunted. “Brave doesn’t always equal smart.” He stopped at the hallway, motioning for them all to follow his lead and press back against the wall.