Curse of the Ruins Read Free Page B

else.”
    “Sit,” the old woman commanded. She closed her eyes and began swaying back and forth. In moments, a strange, high-pitched wail came from her lips. Then she stopped. Her eyes opened and she stared straight at Katie. She pointed a long, bony finger in Katie’s face. “You … you have the key. But you must be very careful. I have seen danger. Your friends may be your enemies. And your enemies will come for you. I see that you are part of the legend.”
    “Legend?” Katie frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    The woman put her hand down. “Many thousands of years ago, this land was inhabited almost entirely by Indians. The story is told that one of these primitive tribes was supposed to have built a vast underground fortress for protection against invaders. It is said that when these underground people started digging they discovered rivers of gold in caves beneath the desert floor. But becauseof their superstitious beliefs, they did not touch it. They only used the gold-filled caverns as burial places to honor their dead. It is also said that these hidden tombs are some-where near the ruins of El Debajo.” The old woman smiled. “Now, tell me how you are connected to the legend.”
    Katie shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t know. I’ve never heard it until just now.”
    La Bruja clapped her hands. “That is all I can see.” She stood and walked through the curtain.
    Sam rubbed the back of his neck. “Great. I’m sure this will be very helpful. I guess we’d better be going now.”
    Pepe stood in the doorway, blocking their exit. “My grandmother is a widow with no one to support her. The usual fee for a reading is five American dollars.”
    Sam sighed and dug into his wallet. “You and your relatives are going to break me.”
    Katie held up her hand. “This one’s on me, Sam. I haven’t figured out how we can use it yet, but I think La Bruja may have given us more of a clue than we realize.”

C HAPTER 7
    It was still early morning, and the market was beginning to fill with people. The sellers noisily called out their wares, and the customers haggled over prices. Three teenagers and a small boy huddled near some large handmade baskets.
    “Can you arrange for us to get out of the city without anyone knowing about it?” Shala asked Pepe quietly. “We want to go to the ruins and check things out. If we’re lucky, Uncle William could be there, or at least maybe we’ll find the other members of his archaeology team.”
    “There might be a way.” Pepe looked thoughtful. “Go back to the hotel and pack your things. Do not go out. Tomorrow morning tell everyone you are taking the bus to the village of El Banco to go sightseeing.”
    “He just told you, we want to leave without anyone knowing,” Katie whispered.
    “In San Marcos this is impossible. The next best thing is to try and throw the men who follow you off your trail.” Pepe glanced around. “My brother-in-law drives the El Banco bus. Leave everything to me.”
    “Wait a minute.” Sam made a face. “How much is this going to cost us?”
    “Only a small fee. Since we are friends, I will give you a good rate. Trust me.”
    “Oh, I trust you, all right. I trust you to send me back home with an empty wallet.”
    “Oh no,
señor
.” Pepe winked. “Before you leave New Mexico, I will have your wallet too.” He patted Sam on the back. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have many important details to take care of on your behalf. Do not linger too long at the market. It might not be wise.”
    They watched him disappear into the crowd.
    “Where do we go from here?” Katie asked.
    “Back to the hotel. Pepe told us to go pack and wait,” Sam reminded her.
    Katie shrugged. “Pepe is a cute kid and everything, but I don’t remember anyone putting him in charge. It’s our father who’s missing. Don’t tell me you want to waste the rest of the day lying around the hotel when we could be out looking for