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“You killed my grandfather,” Santiago growled, struggling, and Leo’s grip on him tightened.

“A regrettable accident.” Torres waved a hand. “I never wanted the man dead. We needed the chakana, of course, but what if that was not enough to guide us here?” He gestured around. “Of course, the old man was tough. He wouldn’t have led us willingly. A good thing, then, that his grandson was so much more amenable, no?”

He smiled, and there wasn’t a whisper of joy in it. A chill skittered down Santiago’s spine.

“So, you sent Ali to make sure I played my part.”

“Ah, Alliyma,” Torres crooned. “Lovely, is she not? There is nothing like a beautiful woman to motivate a man, is there? That and the threat of death, of course. I’m surprised you figured it out; Alliyma is usually much more careful.”

Torres looked at Ali intently. “Don’t tell me that your conscience got the better of you. What would poor Nayaraq think?”

“You leave her out of this,” Ali barked. “You promised you’d leave her alone if I did this!”

Nayaraq? Santiago thought. What does Ali’s sister have to do with any of this?

Torres’s face hardened. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed your betrayal, Alliyma. You were meant to surrender Señor Rios as soon as we brought in backup.” He motioned to the guards in black. “Instead, you fled. With my property, might I add. Do you know how expensive that boat was?”

“You can afford it,” was Ali’s only response.

Torres laughed again. And again, it was completely frigid.

“That, and much more when we find Atahualpa’s treasure,” he agreed. “Which is why I’m willing to overlook your momentary lapse in judgment…as long as Sr. Rios continues to play his part.”

Santiago startled as Torres turned his full attention on him.

“You two must have gotten very close in the jungle.” His implication was clear, and the tips of Santiago’s ears burned hot. “You wouldn’t want Alliyma punished, now, would you?”

Santiago felt unmoored. As if he had been thrust into a stage production without knowing his lines or even the part he was meant to play.

“Why should I care?” He puffed his chest, attempting nonchalance. Or bravado. Somehow, he got stuck between the two, and the result was anything but convincing. “She’s been using me the entire time, right?”

“You care nothing for her, then?” Torres clicked his tongue. “In that case, she is of no further use to me.” He made a gesture, and Mario swung his gun toward Ali.

“No, stop!” Santiago cried out, and the man chuckled. He wasn’t sure what game Torres was playing, but it was clear that Santi had just lost. There weren’t many options left for him.

“I’ll help, I’ll help,” Santiago said, defeated. And then an idea came to him. “Under two conditions.”

Torres raised his eyebrows, then grinned broadly. “I don’t think you are in a position to demand anything, Sr. Rios! But out of curiosity, I will indulge you. What are these ‘conditions’?”

“I’ll help you find the tomb if you let Ali go.” Bile scorched his throat as Santiago imagined the irreplicable history they stood to lose. He couldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t be him if he did. But Torres didn’t know that. “You can take it all. The art, the antiquities. But she goes free.”

Torres ran a thoughtful hand over his mustache. “Once we find the treasure, she will be free to go. It matters little to me.”

Santiago didn’t believe him, but Torres had been right. He did not have the upper hand here.

“And the second condition?” Torres was so polite.

“You allow me to spread my grandfather’s ashes at Atahualpa’s resting place.”

“Ah, the tradition of your little sect?” Torres laughed, throwing up his hands. “You may keep with your silly superstitions. I will not stop you.”

Santiago saw two of Torres’s mercenaries, a man and woman, exchange a weighty look. So, some of you really are believers? Huáscaros.

That made him nervous. Religious fervor was a much stronger motivator than money. His eyes flicked around the rest of the group. How many of you would kill me for my bloodline?

Even so, Santiago’s body was lighter now. He had a plan. He was probably going to die in this valley, but at least he could stop the curse first. It would be a tidy ending, in fact.

If he was killed in the tomb, then his remains would already be laid to rest with Atahualpa. The last Guardian buried with the last emperor. Maybe then this madness would finally cease.