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After they got off the gangway and docks, Holmes approached a small T-shaped building right on the north side of the dock. A flagpole was in the middle of the patio with the American flag fluttering in the small breeze. A few palm trees were interspersed in the paving of the parking lot.
Suki’s mom tugged on her hand, and Suki pulled on Jane Louise’s as they followed the patio toward the parking lot. Holmes walked to the front door of the building with the US Coast Guard emblem on it.
“Captain Baker said you can call—” He stopped suddenly, having turned around to hold the door open for them. He looked confused, searching back and forth.
The three of them walked away from him, heading toward the downtown area. Hopefully it would smell better. They should have been directly within his line of sight, but he shouted, “Captain, Captain! They’re gone!”
The tingling prickle of magic danced down Suki’s arms, making the gooseflesh come out. So simple. Like breathing out. The magic was powerful.
And that made it frightening. What else could Jacob Calakmul do with it?
CHAPTER TWELVE
JAGUAR TEMPLE
CALAKMUL BIOSPHERE RESERVE
January 9
“I have failed you, Great One,” Uacmitun groveled. The muscled warrior knelt in submission. It was the act of a man who knew he deserved death. By exposing his neck to Jacob, he’d ensured it would be over in moments.
Rage sizzled through Jacob’s chest as he paced in the main hall of his palace. Rage and frustration. His emotions felt more mercurial in his refreshed body. Had it been a mistake to go to Aztlán after all? The Order of the Jaguar Priests had been patient for centuries, biding their time, awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecy so they might enact their revenge, but he felt all out of patience.
No one crossed the jungle unnoticed. Not Sarina Roth. Not Suki. Not the Beasley girl. They must have escaped some other way.
“I’m not going to kill you,” Jacob said, his voice throbbing. “I saw Suki last night. Angélica saw the little girl. When did the servants notice they were all gone?”
“This morning. I’ve had every warrior searching for them. There is no trace of them. None.”
It was maddening. Suki was gifted with the kem äm, but no one had taught her the kind of advanced magic that would allow her to disappear or cross into the spirit world. Only a skilled sorcerer . . .
Jacob clenched his hand into a fist and slammed it against the stone wall. “It happened after the moon came up,” he seethed.
“What?” Uacmitun asked, tentatively lifting his chin. A look of hope filled his eyes.
“Ix Chel,” Jacob vented. “She’s been helping them all along.”
“You think . . . you think it was her?”
“I should have seen this before,” Jacob snarled. “Ix Chel has three manifestations. The maiden, the mother, and the crone. Once Suki arrived, all three manifestations could be realized. It allowed her to use her full power.”
“But where did they go?” Uacmitun asked.
“Where her power is greatest. Cozumel. If Ix Chel thinks she can hinder my plans, I will show her the true might of Huracán. There will be no hindrances. Call off the search. They’re not here.”
“Are you sure, Great One?”
“Do as I say!” Jacob roared.
Uacmitun scampered away swiftly. Jacob stormed back to his private chambers and found Angélica sitting on a stool with a jaguar-pelt cushion. She was trying on different pieces of jewelry. Seeing the gold flash against her skin made his lust kick in again.
Focus. He was losing his focus!
“What did Uacmitun want?” she asked, turning her head to look at him, her brow furrowed with concern.
“Suki is gone. And Beasley’s daughter.”
“How?”