Page 88 of Hunter

“Ancient civilizations,” Viktor commented, glancing at the ceramic pots along the walls.

“These limestone caves do more than house a few trinkets.” Hunter set his palm onto the cool stone wall.

“I think it’s safe to say we’re not alone.” Viktor walked deeper into the cave.

“There aren’t many places where you can avoid ghosts, but yeah, limestone attracts all sorts of energies.” Willa concentrated in an attempt to detect any other supernatural entities but sensed nothing. “If we get lucky, the most we will have to deal with is bat guano.”

“What’s all this?” Viktor pointed to a pile of bones.

“Xibalba. The Place of Fright. The Mayan Hell.” Willa shone her light upon etched artwork that had been carved into the wall. A figure held up a heart. “Whatever this space was for…people died down here.”

“Human sacrifice.” Hunter pointed to skeletal remains, that lay perfectly on the earth as if they’d been preserved in a museum. “This one here.”

“These bones look like they belong to a woman. Look at the shape of the pelvis. It’s likely she was murdered,” Willa surmised. “They were often tortured before they were killed. But it was their way of life. To satisfy the Gods.”

“An offering. How lovely.” Viktor laughed. “And here we are. Back in the pit of Mayan Hell looking for a book to give to another Hell-bound demon. Quite fitting.”

“This woman.” Willa glanced at the skeleton, and her stomach clenched at the thought of her heart being cut from her chest. “She had no choice.”

“Humans. They never seem to learn,” Viktor added.

“I’d say that’s pretty accurate.” Hunter stepped toward a pile of vases. He lifted one and carefully set it aside.

“Humans possess an inner magick without ever even knowing or believing it.” Willa stared at the bones. “Yes, they are fragile. But like all beings, the Goddess made them for a reason.”

“I don’t mean to be a killjoy but how are we ever going to find the book down here? There are several cave systems. We don’t have all day.” Viktor blew out an annoyed breath.

“I don’t know. I mean you zapped us into here. You must have felt something.” Willa smiled.

“Oh no. Don’t go putting all this on me.” Viktor held up his palms defensively. “I just picked up on the vibe. That knife must have done something. And this is where we landed.”

“He’s right though,” Hunter agreed. “This has got to be the place. Not only do we have that knife, Willa is connected to this book. Its skin is from her ancestors. It’s tied to her. I can’t help but think it would want her to find it.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” Willa’s voice rose, her eyes questioning his logic. “Maybe we need to use the blade Ilsbeth gave us. If it’s tied to the book…”

“I’ve got it, but knowing Ilsbeth we’ve got to do something with it. Some kind of a blood spell.”

“She didn’t give us a spell. She only gave us the knife. It must be something else.” Willa shivered, a cool breeze blowing over her skin.

“Something’s coming for us. I can feel it,” Hunter said.

“Come on then, Alpha. Whip it out,” Viktor said with a smirk.

“You’re sick,” Hunter replied.

“He’s not wrong though.” Willa smiled and shrugged.

“In the middle of some Mayan sacrificial death pit and you two are making bathroom jokes? Okay, yeah.”

“It’s all well and good until someone summons the God of Hell.” Viktor picked up a ceramic bead and inspected it.

Hunter shook his head and removed his backpack, retrieving the weapon, then slung the sack back onto his shoulders.

“I do love a good knife,” Viktor said.

“Okay, now what?” The Alpha inspected the blade. “Ilsbeth said it would help us get to the location, but she didn’t mention where to actually find this book. There’s got to be miles of caves here.”

“She is a tricky witch,” Viktor noted.