His Lost Mate (A Steamy Paranormal Romance Novel) Read Free Page A

flashed him a sultry smile then continued with her sketch, shading in the details. “What are your plans for dinner tonight? How about we dine at our favorite place by the lake?”
    “I’ll have to pass.” He caught a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “We’re not staying in town tonight. We’re going directly to the field camp when we leave here.”
    “But you usually let the students tour Tikal and the local villages for a few days before they start work.”
    “I know but with all the opposition from local authorities, I don’t want to waste a day touring.”
    She continued sketching. “Small class this semester,” she said.
    “All the rumors have had a negative impact on the program. Ten students cancelled and signed up at other field projects in less volatile areas. Brooding over the lack of students won’t change anything. We’ll have to make the best of it.”
    “Only rumors? How can you be so sure?”
    “The Nequam Rebels wouldn’t waste their time on a couple of artifacts. Not when drug trafficking is more profitable. And they wouldn’t come here. They’d be in Colombia, one of the major hubs, not Guatemala.”
    “I’m sure you’re right.” She raised her chin. “I won’t be staying in town this trip. I’m staying at the camp.”
    His jaw tightened. “I thought you had work to do at the museum.”
    “I do. The museum at Tikal is about the same distance from Flores as it is from El Zotz. I can take a Jeep. I’d also like to observe the progress at the excavation.” She held his gaze. He knew she was daring him to argue.
    Because of her father’s financial support, Sylvia had a tendency to try to run his project. He’d rather deal with a Mayan tomb full of rattlesnakes then to deal with her manipulations.
    “I’m anxious to select a few more artifacts for my collection at the Peabody and I can lecture on ceramics and testing procedures,” she said imperiously. “My experience goes well beyond anything the students may have learned in their classes.”
    Deven resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He couldn’t deny her extensive knowledge in Mayan artifacts. Her expertise in ancient ceramics made her a valuable addition to the project, but her attitude made working with her a challenge. “Thanks, I appreciate your help, Sylvia.”
    “My pleasure.” She flipped to a clean page in her sketchbook, moved to the next stela and started sketching. “Were you debriefed at the embassy?”
    “Yes. According to officials, there haven’t been any problems with the Nequam.”
    “That’s good to hear.”
    “Still, I agreed to keep an eye out for any signs of guerrilla activity or artifact bandits around the excavation,” he said. “Since the stolen artifacts were recovered at the border, the officials are very… nervous.”
    “So you’re in charge of the neighborhood watch again?” Sylvia teased.
    He chuckled. “The embassy calls it surveillance, but essentially a neighborhood watch is all it is. All part of the job of an archaeologist.”
    “If there’s anything I can do to help…”
    “I’ll let you know.” Sylvia was one complication he didn’t need right now and he suspected she had her own agenda besides acquiring artifacts for the museum.
    Deven heard shouts from Justin and Kyle on Temple of the Masks. “I better check out what they’re up to.”
    Sylvia flipped her hand, dismissing him.
    From the chamber entrance that Lauren was exploring, Deven watched Justin and Kyle racing up and down Temple II. He laughed, shook his head, then whistled loudly. The two students stopped halfway down, turned and waved. “Hey, daredevils. You’ll be a pile of broken bones if you fall.”
    He did admire all the students’ enthusiasm. When Lauren first spied the ruins through the dense trees of the rainforest, he noticed the look of wonder and curiosity in her eyes. Much the same way he had felt on his first visit. She was intelligent and attractive—a dangerous combination.
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