Page 54 of Hunter

“Everglades. It’s not as great as home but I like it. It’s spicy.” Julian waggled his eyebrows. “I love a good bachata.”

“Yeah I bet it is. I know where you’re going with this and I’m good. I don’t need to know all your sexcapades.”

“Don’t be a prude.”

“I’m not a prude. I just don’t want to hear it from you.”

“Truth is, I travel all over the world. But in the States? Miami’s my favorite.”

“I haven’t been gone too long, but the plants grow quickly.” Willa sliced through a thicket of branches, revealing a stone wall. Covered with vines, the ancient structure was barely visible. “Let’s go this way. We’ve got to get to the front of the building.” Willa continued whacking at the weeds, until they reached a small clearing.

“Jesus, Willa. This place really is in the middle of nowhere.”

“That’s because it is.”

“Where’s the door?” Julian studied the crumbling pyramid-shaped ruins.

“The door is more like a tunnel.” Willa glided her palm down the wall, settling on a raised circular pattern that had been carved into the stone. Locating a small hole, she inserted her finger and depressed the hidden lever.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s kind of like a super-secret lock. I might need help with getting this stone out. Sometimes it gets stuck.”

“Don’t you remember what Pa said about getting your tail bitten off?”

“He was talking to you, not me. You’re the one who always had to go in the river. You just about had your tail bitten off by bull sharks and piranhas.”

“Ah, the good old days.” Julian reached for the stone as Willa struggled to remove it. “Let me help.”

“Be my guest.” She gave a tight smile, aware she’d sealed the entrance a little too well.

“Can’t we just flash inside?”

“It’s protected by ancient Mayan wards. This will just take a minute.”

“If you say so.” Julian effortlessly slid the stone out of the wall and set it aside onto the ground. He stared down into the small opening. “What’s next? You expect us to what? Oil up and slide inside this hole? There has to be an easier way in.”

“Suck it up, Jules. It’s only a few feet.” Willa inwardly laughed at her brother. He had always been her hero, one of the bravest wolves she’d ever known. And he still was except for one weakness, his fear of enclosed spaces.

“More like suck it in. Ladies first.” Julian gestured toward the hole.

Willa didn’t hesitate. Headfirst, she shimmied inside and navigated the claustrophobic passageway crawling on her forearms. She held her breath as a cockroach scampered over her wrist and down toward her legs. “Incoming!”

“Jesus Christ.” Julian followed behind her, scrunching his nose as the insect darted through his hair and down his back.

“You’re doing great.” With a grunt, she hoisted her body out of the tunnel hands first. Her legs quickly followed, and she shoved up onto her feet, turning to her brother.

“A little help?” Julian’s hands dangled out of the hole.

“I’ve got you.” Willa laughed and grabbed hold of his forearms while he settled his feet onto the floor.

“I could’ve gotten stuck inside there. You’re this little thing and then there’s me.”

Willa stared up at her big brother, realizing she’d forgotten how tall he was. At six-five, he towered above her.

“Sorry. But it’s the only way I know how to get in here.” Willa sent her energy to her hands until they glowed bright, illuminating the vestibule. “It’s a little tight. There’s a small tunnel here, but I promise, it opens up. This way. It’s not too much further.”

“More tunnels. Awesome.” Julian brushed the dirt off his jeans.